No red key

[Lee]

My friend tells me that when he bought his bravo it came with a red key for the computer brain of the car and that if i didn't have one (WHICH I DON'T) that you can't get another from the fiat garage.If this is true has anyone got any suggestions for tracing the key, and if i relly need one.

 

[Barakka]

Re: No Red Key...

What year is it?

what key(s) have you been given with it..?

Barakka

 

[Martin]

Yup you need the key

Did you buy the car from a dealer ? Or privatly ?
If you bought it from a dealer, go back and insist they give you te red key or take em to the trading standards. To get a red key the alarm will require changing and you could be looking at approx £750 - £1000 !!
If you bought it privatly, go back and ask em for the key, if they don't have it see if the previous owners name is on the registration document as they might have it.

If you never lose the blue key's ( I take it you have 2) then you will never need the red key, if you lose the blue then you need the red to get a blue key cut as the red is the master key and has all the codes for the immobiliser and such like.

 

[Lee]

Re: Yup you need the key

I bought it from a dealer i have got a blue key but i will ask him to try and find the red one. but you don't need the red key relly just if you want spare keys cut.the cars a 97 1.6 sx

 

[Barakka]

Red Key

YOU NEED THE RED KEY
Especially if you got it from a dealer.

The Red Key is the master key for the car, it allows you to add new keys to the immobiliser system, and remove them too. So if you lose your car keys one day you can use the red key to remove the lost key from the immobiliser system so it won't start the engine.

The Red Key is matched to the ECU and the only way to get a new red key is to get a new ECU as well. Fiat quote £700-£1000 for this.

Most importantly ANYONE WHO KNOWS ABOUT FIATS WILL DEMAND THAT YOU KNOCK £1000 OFF THE PRICE IF YOU TRY TO SELL THEM THE CAR WITH NO RED KEY IN THE FUTURE.

Barakka

 

[steve]

Fiat claim that the red key is required for some maintenance work??.

Assuming you need the full works replaced to get a new red key, which older models do, dont know about newer ones;
As far as the trading standards are concerned the car is defective if you dont have the red key. The dealer will have to sort it for you or compensate you.

 

[Chris B]

Key

Lee

Bit of a hot potatoe this one. There are oodles of threads on this subject stretching way back.

Yes you will need it if you loose you blue key(s), therefore just make sure you don't. The blue keys can be copied, but they will never contain the technology to be able to access the ECU to make changes, meaning a rather expensive bill to replace the unit.

To be honest, I've not heard of anyone needing to get to the ECU, so I'm sure it's not a common occurance. Although it may be a problem when you sell the car on, so it will be worth chasing up the seller to put your mind at rest.

Chris

 

[patrick]

Guess what

I bought a PUNTO from carcraft, knowing nothing about the red key business and I never needed it. I passed the car onto my son, he was driving it to the shops, parked up, came back and it just wouldn ot start. Tried both blue keys, jumpstarting, nothing. Called out the A.A. they couldnt do anything either. Ended up being towed to a fiat dealership and had to cough up £800 pounds ( 2 years ago) to get a new ECU unit ect....so it does occasionally happen, just like having car insurance really, you pay for years and might never have an accident. However I would never buy a car from a dealer or privately without either the red key or a minimum of £1000 knocked of the price. There are some firms that can bypass your imobiliser for about £300, but obviously this leaves you with no immobiliser or ecu at all.

 

[Lee]

May get it sorted

Told the dealer that the red key should be there he told me that he could have a key cut for me (a blue one)and chase up previous owners for the key. if he dosn't find it i've told him i'll have to see trading standereds.Cheers for the comments lads fingers crossed

 

[Kanulondon]

thast the ticket!

you tell him! also get a tasty discount if they cant find it

KL