General No blue key(s)

[chunkychickeness]

Just bought a very low mileage (17k) P reg 97 Cinquecento S via eBay for <£700. Paperwork/condition indicates it is a genuine "little old lady shopping" car so I can now retire my 24mpg SAAB 9000 and get used to "normal" prices when I fill her up for commuting to work.

Only snag (apart from not having a temp guage or rev counter) is it only came with a single red key and no code cards or note of the codes.

Can I bowl up at my local timpsons or similar with just the red key (the FAQ says use the blue) and get it cloned so I don't have to use the red on a day-to-day basis? If so, having got the new key(s) do I have to teach the car about them and if so how do I do that?

If timpsons nbg who do I do to to get spare keys coded?

Thanks in advance...

(my first post - I'll be back for lots more)

 

[rallycinq]

Welcome. The red key is needed to code the blue keys so you have it the right way round. If Timpsons can't code a key the dealer will be able to.

Cheers

D

 

[J333EVO]

As Rally Cinq said, most key cutting places can clone the red key. You don't get the key card with code on UK cars, in fact the only car I know that had it was my old Cinq which was RHD but bought in Germany so provided with card as per all European cars.

 

[chunkychickeness]

Thanks guys, Mr Timpsons finest did me two keys for £45... except I ended up with three blue keys as the guy wasn't happy with the cut on the second. Shame really, as the cut on the third was no bl**dy good either and neither the second or third keys will fit any lock on the car let alone unlock anything!

However the first blue key works a treat so for now i've put the Red key in "a very safe place"

Back to Timpsons on Wednesday for replacements I think!

 

[AppleSei]

I had the same problem with the old astra when i neded a spare key - it didnt fit.

I managed to get a free replacement, hopefully you should get the same