Replacement transponder key

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Lizard1977

2060 posts

Uber Geek

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#240558 13-Sep-2018 14:25

When we bought our Subaru Legacy 2011 (second-hand), we got two transponder keys for the keyless entry/start-stop system. However, we have now lost one of these (hopefully around the house, but our mega search hasn't found them yet), so we're down to one key between my wife and I. Up till last Thursday that was fine, but then I accidentally took the key with me when I went out of town for work, and left her without any way to get the kids to daycare.

I've looked into getting a replacement transponder key made, and as expected it's not cheap. The cheapest quote was from a locksmith who quoted ~$500, and Subaru quoted ~$700. Does anyone have any alternatives to suggest? We're in Palmerston North, so that excludes centres with more options (like Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch). Or do we just have to bite the bullet and pony up for a new key?

langers1972

1039 posts

Uber Geek

#2090102 13-Sep-2018 14:34

When the same thing happened to me on a Peugeot, they quoted me $500 so I called my Dad in the UK and he got one from a dealer for 30 quid!

Still had to pay to get it programmed but even then it was about 20% of what they quoted at Armstrong

Coil

6614 posts

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Inactive user

#2090107 13-Sep-2018 14:37

Programming will always cost and generally a dealer will need to do it depending on the car.

It is not cheap what ever way you do it but i'd personally suggest you take the more quality route.

I will also ask a question to anyone: What is stopping such private locksmith from scraping the info from your car then using it to open or start it later down the track without a key or anything? Is this maybe how these modern cars are being taken?

Cheers

slingynz

154 posts

Master Geek

#2090109 13-Sep-2018 14:40

Remember this?

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/90293847/raging-businessman-takes-toyota-to-tribunal-over-525-key

rendezvous

194 posts

Master Geek

#2090115 13-Sep-2018 14:45

Some insurance policies cover lost keys I think. Not sure if that helps you in particular though.

Lizard1977

2060 posts

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#2090118 13-Sep-2018 14:53

Subaru suggested I check my policy, but AMI don't seem to cover it. At any rate, I suspect my excess would probably be too high for it to be helpful.

Lizard1977

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#2092411 18-Sep-2018 11:06

After some googling, I happened upon JDM-parts.co.nz, based in Christchurch, which can sell me a second-hand fob, an exact match for my current key. This would save about $200 over the cost of a brand new key. However, Subaru say that this type of fob key are one code only, and can't be reprogrammed to another car. Ordinarily I would take this at face value, but it sounds kind of wonky to me. I'm wondering if Subaru are saying that to justify the very high cost of a new (presumably blank) fob.

I wonder if anyone has any experience that might reassure me that it is possible to reprogram these second-hand fob keys. @langers1972 mentioned his experience with a Peugeot, but I suspect it is different for different makes/models, so maybe it's not possible to extrapolate from other experiences. But if it's possible to make a significant saving with a second-hand fob, it's worth it.

langers1972

1039 posts

Uber Geek

#2092412 18-Sep-2018 11:09

I should state that mine wasn't 2nd hand but new which is what made me even more peed off with the quote locally. And they wonder why we shop on the internet?

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amiga500

1484 posts

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#2092477 18-Sep-2018 13:04

And the value of the electronic components in this type of key? What a shameful rort by all the car companies. It makes an Iphone look like a bargain!

pctek

807 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#2093382 19-Sep-2018 18:50

Lizard1977:

Subaru suggested I check my policy, but AMI don't seem to cover it.

They do. I rang and asked them, seeing mine cost $1918.

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=162&topicid=240512

Now Toyota did create the master, and coded a spare.

But the original is dodgy, damaged. They did not have another in stock at the time and when I went back, apparently the procedi=ure, using the new master, is wrong. They are having trouble establishing the correct procedure (lack of documentation for my model now) so may have to repeat the ECU business.

Their cost this time, not mine fortuantely.

I for sure asked AMI, I don't want to be stuck with a bill like that again in future should disaster happen.

Goosey

2829 posts

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Subscriber

#2093428 19-Sep-2018 20:15

amiga500:

And the value of the electronic components in this type of key? What a shameful rort by all the car companies. It makes an Iphone look like a bargain!

The value is that they are the only way to unlock and start your $xx,xxx.xx asset.

(aside from breaking the window, popping the locks and munting the electrics to start it).

Geoffm

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2119635 4-Nov-2018 21:27

Try getting a key blank from overseas. Amazon have OEM Subaru keys for example. You will need a locksmith to cut and program. Depending what chip it has for the security it may be a matter of cloning the chip.
My Peugeot needed programming, so I bought some key blanks from Aliexpress, some ID45 and ID46 chips along with a key reader closer, and a Lexia programming box. I now have 5 keys for the car and a whole lot of experience I didn’t have before about security chipsets and saved a bit of money. Would have been much cheaper if I knew then what I know now...
If you buy key blanks,make sure they come with the electronics, not just an empty shell to replace a broken original key.

SATTV

1648 posts

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#2119645 4-Nov-2018 22:13

Lizard1977:

Subaru suggested I check my policy, but AMI don't seem to cover it. At any rate, I suspect my excess would probably be too high for it to be helpful.

AMI paid for my Nissan fob when it was lost a couple of years ago, it cost AMI $650. My excess was $250 if I recall.

I had the job done by Armstrong who were quite frankly useless, so it might have cost the insurance company more.

I paid about $125 for a key for my wife's Nissan and they somehow cloned the chip and did not have to programme up the car to the key.

I cant see why you cant get a fob from a wrecker and get it programmed by a locksmith.

John

I know enough to be dangerous

Lizard1977

2060 posts

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#2119979 5-Nov-2018 10:07

SATTV:

Lizard1977:

Subaru suggested I check my policy, but AMI don't seem to cover it. At any rate, I suspect my excess would probably be too high for it to be helpful.

AMI paid for my Nissan fob when it was lost a couple of years ago, it cost AMI $650. My excess was $250 if I recall.

I had the job done by Armstrong who were quite frankly useless, so it might have cost the insurance company more.

I paid about $125 for a key for my wife's Nissan and they somehow cloned the chip and did not have to programme up the car to the key.

I cant see why you cant get a fob from a wrecker and get it programmed by a locksmith.

John

The excess on my policy is $500, which means that an insurance claim is only going to save about a $100 or so. Hardly worth it.

I got in touch with JDM-parts.co.nz and they do have keys available for reprogramming, but when I checked with Subaru they said that used keys couldn't be reprogrammed. So I checked back with JDM and they said they couldn't confirm that it could be reprogrammed, but were working on one for another customer. When I followed up afterwards, they acknowledged it hadn't worked, and needed a different machine to reset the transponder. I haven't heard if they have acquired said machine though.

I had a quick look at Amazon and Aliexpress, but it wasn't particularly clear whether they were the right blanks for my car. For now, I think the safest option is to go with a new key from Subaru or Armstrong, and just wear the price.