RED KEY, I'M BINNING A NEW SET

[Ryan]

See the message below called 'For Sale'.

I have new red key set (inc ECU's and locks), I have sold my Bravo and am going to bin the lot unless someone makes me an offer. The set is brand new.

Anyone

 

[Wimmy]

DONT BIN THEM!

Get them on ebay! If not, send em to me and I'll pay you postage.

Dont bin em, somebody somewhere will want them

 

[Nick Freshney]

Red Key

I have managed to lose all my keys ( dont ask)and I have been quoted silly money like £700 to replace them.
I have a N reg Fiat Brava 1996 1.6sx.
Any Ideas?

 

[Richy]

Red Keys?

Whats all this about red keys?
and why are they so important?

 

[Nathan]

Re: Red Keys?

Oh dear looks like Richy has been done out of his Red Key! Bad News mate!

Nathan

 

[Richy]

Red Key

Not so Nathan,
Ive actually got one,but its more brown than red,
whats the significance of them?

 

[Barakka]

True it's more brown than red...

In a nutshell...

The Red/brown key is the master key which is matched to the ECU in your car. It overrides the Immobiliser and puts it into 'learn' mode to program new keys in. There are ways to get round it, but they are 'bodges' rather than full-blown fixes. So put your red key somewhere safe and don't use it - or you'll be messing with the ECU every time.

To replace a missing red key you have to replace the keys, locks, and ECU, so £700 just for parts !

When you buy a Fiat that should have one and doesn't you can demand £700-1000 discount, or return it as faulty (if you bought it from from a dealer).