TRUE or FALSE - red key has 150 uses

[chrisfunk]

No, i don't mean you can do 150 things with a red fiat key,,,,

I have heard that you can only use the red key to start the engine
150 times.
The ECU keeps count then blocks it. The key remains unaltered though
still allowing you to make copies from it.

Sounds like bull to me but it is technically possible that it could be done.

so

is it TRUE or FALSE????

 

[beau]

well just disconnect the battery every 149 times wont keep its count then will it

but i dont think its true, but best get a blue key cut if you just have the red key.

 

[Hellcat]

You have PM Chris.

Pretty sure you can use the red key as many times as you like.. But each time you start the ECU in 'read' mode which puts it at risk of corruption.

 

[dave]

tis urban myth

 

[bulldog5046]

is the 100 fault count then car goes into lockdown a myth?

 

[StoneNewt]

"You can use it as many times as you want until you break the ECU", quote from a local independent Alfa/Fiat specialist

 

[chrisfunk]

thanks guys,

I will get a blue sorted asap but was slightly worried as I couldn't guess how many times the red had been used before I got the car.

by the way bulldog, that marea looks sweet!

 

[bulldog5046]

by the way bulldog, that marea looks sweet!

its been lowered a little in that pic thats all though

 

[dr_hillmann]

for my sei ive got a red key and 2 black keys. when do you actually need to use the red key and what exactly does it do,cos the guy at the garage didnt make much sense of it????
dr_hillmann

 

[chrisfunk]

Hi Doc

Just keep it safe, that's all you have to do with it!

All the keys have a chip inside which tell the imobiliser to let the engine start.
(if you were to open a key and take the chip out the engine will still turn over but will not fire up)

The red is tha master key though, which serves 2 purposes.
If you loose all the blue keys, the red contains the information you need to link/program a new blue key to the code of your car.

Also, if you ever disconnect your battery, or if your car thinks it's being broke into and the imobiliser kicks in, I believe the red key needs to be used to reset the cars ECU and get it running again.

There are soooo many stories of people buying a fiat with no red key only to get hit with a bill from fiat for £1000 to have all the locks replaced, new ECU fitted and a new set of keys made, just because the battery was changed!

You have one, that's the main thing so don't worry about it, just put it in a safe, and don't loose the safe key. Perhaps put that in another safe?

(edit: your black keys are the blue ones in my post, the marea ones are blue)