Replacement car key – be careful.

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Replacement car key – be careful.

This topic has 10 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 12 February 2024 at 22:55 by george baker 1.

Viewing 11 posts - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)

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9 February 2024 at 20:55 #713349
JimmieS
Participant
@jimmies
With my 10 year old Hyundai’s spare key falling apart to the extent a cocktail stick was required to press the ‘open’ button I decided it might be time to get a replacement. First key cutting shop quoted £150, the next £120 and the third, after asking as did the others had if it still worked, quoted £60 for a re-shell which was done in 20 minutes.
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9 February 2024 at 21:02 #713368
noel shelley
Participant
@noelshelley55608
For some the chip in the key fob can be carefully removed and put into the new cut key, saving a fortune ! Noel.
9 February 2024 at 21:16 #713372
Maurice Taylor
Participant
@mauricetaylor82093
Hi,

Have a look on eBay for Hyundai key fobs .

Maurice
11 February 2024 at 09:40 #713636
John Doe 2
Participant
@johndoe2
Modern car keys have three elements:

The physical metal key. This needs a very expensive machine to automatically measure and cut a new one, or quite an expensive machine and a skilled operator.

The key fob has a transponder which the car engine immobiliser needs to ‘interrogate’ and ‘approve’ before it allows the engine to start.

Finally, the new key fob needs to be registered by, and paired with, the vehicle alarm and central locking computer, before it will allow entry. This requires an expensive computer to connect with the car alarm computer and write the new key fob identity into its memory.

And of course your own identity and ownership of the vehicle will need to be carefully established.

This is why modern car keys cost so much to replace, and the workshop time to access the car computers and reprogram them – although as usual the car dealers charge over the odds and rip us all off.

I have just bought an expensive Autel computer tablet for car maintenance, which should also do the two latter functions, but I have not tried it on those functions yet.
11 February 2024 at 10:04 #713649
Chris Crew
Participant
@chriscrew66644
“First key cutting shop quoted £150, the next £120 and the third, after asking as did the others had if it still worked, quoted £60 for a re-shell which was done in 20 minutes.”

If the cheapest service vendor fulfilled all the conditions and requirements as explained in previous posts, doesn’t this just demonstrate that you must always ‘shop around’ and not to accept the first price? This goes for all goods and services. Not so long ago SWMBO demanded we had a Velux skylight fitted to lighten a gloomy landing. The quotes from local builders hovered around the £2k mark. I was recommended by a friend to contact an eastern European guy who did the job for under £1k, including all parts and materials. The job was done in a day (12hours work) and his workmanship was absolutely first class. Price is seldom a reliable guide to quality especially in services.
11 February 2024 at 10:31 #713653
John Doe 2
Participant
@johndoe2
Agreed. However in the OPs example, the cheapest person simply changed the external case, the other two were presumably quoting for cutting and/or reprogramming a new key.

But, yes, shop around as well. It would be great if vendors would quote their mark-up percentages as well as their prices !

And don’t get me started about builders – they have gone the same way as car dealers, plumbers and dentists in ripping us off.
11 February 2024 at 15:05 #713730
Chris Mate
Participant
@chrismate31303
On 11 February 2024 at 10:04 Chris Crew Said:

“First key cutting shop quoted £150, the next £120 and the third, after asking as did the others had if it still worked, quoted £60 for a re-shell which was done in 20 minutes.”

If the cheapest service vendor fulfilled all the conditions and requirements as explained in previous posts, doesn’t this just demonstrate that you must always ‘shop around’ and not to accept the first price? This goes for all goods and services. Not so long ago SWMBO demanded we had a Velux skylight fitted to lighten a gloomy landing. The quotes from local builders hovered around the £2k mark. I was recommended by a friend to contact an eastern European guy who did the job for under £1k, including all parts and materials. The job was done in a day (12hours work) and his workmanship was absolutely first class. Price is seldom a reliable guide to quality especially in services.

My car ESL failed, had the experience exactly as you described, the repair took 3 weeks under gurantee, they replaced the most expensive components 1st(EIS), but it was eventually the outsourced little motor(ESL)(Like RC toy car)-Cheapest part.
11 February 2024 at 17:05 #713761
Vic
Participant
@vic
An app on your phone to get into a Tesla is beginning to sound attractive. 😉
11 February 2024 at 19:39 #713808
Grizzly bear
Participant
@grizzlybear
Hi,

Skoda Yeti, key fob case worn out. Bought a case complete with blank key via eBay. Approx. £15 UK

Transfered the electronics and swapped the blank key for the original, it works fine.

The key part looked complicated, but thanks to YouTube it wasn’t too bad.

Timpson shoe repair & key cutting, quoted £50

Bear………..
12 February 2024 at 19:56 #713939
Neil Wyatt
Moderator
@neilwyatt
My brother got a new key and case the other day for around £20 and swapped the transponder over himself.
12 February 2024 at 22:55 #713963
george baker 1
Participant
@georgebaker1
Hyundi i10, my sister was quoted £500 to “replace and pair” a key, she paid £120 CASH to a local independent

A lesson to us all? Especially me as my fob is wearing out.

George
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