Fixing/replacing my car key

andy444

I dropped my car key at a petrol station and it bent at roughly a 30 degree angle. Through a bit of effort I was able to straighten it again for me to start the car again but now it has got a kink in it which requires me to use a bit of force to take the key in and out of my ignition chamber. I'm guessing it's all right to continue like this for the next few days but I really need to either fix or replace my car key.


Can anyone recommend the best way for me to do this? I quick search on google says it can be quite expensive to get a key replaced which I'd rather not have to spend. Looking for any advice on the best way forward. The car is a Vauxhall Astra if that helps.

topdaddy_2

Is the key coded or has remote central locking?

andy444

I don't think the key is coded - the only number on the back is 770. It does have remote central locking.

forgotmyname

The blade part maybe replaceable. Its expensive if you have to use a dealer to program new keys. But you already have the key with working chip.

SO get a cheapo key and insert your chip.

Nodding_Donkey

It won't be too expensive if the blade is replaceable. Does it look like this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-ASTRA-COMBO-CORSA-OMEGA-TIGRA-ZAFIRA-KEY-/160575915738?pt=UK_Car_Accessories_Safety_Security&hash=item25631206da

One like that would need the car programming to accept it but you could swap the transponder chip with yours and save that.

How many keys do you have?

facade

Your key has a chip in the plastic part that operates the immobiliser.

If you can't remove the chip to put in the new key, it is expensive to get a copy made at Timpsons, and unbelievable expensive to get one from vauxhall. If your key has the central locking buttons on as well.......

Cheapest is to get a plain (no chip) key cut from yours.
This will NOT start the car, but will turn in the ignition.
Attach it to your keyring right next to your bent key.
The immobiliser will read the chip in the bent key as it is close enough to the ignition.

Use the buttons on the bent key to get in, and the new key to start the car.

Nodding_Donkey

The key seperates from the central locking fob so that shouldn't be an issue.

If the op has two keys currently it should be a DIY matter to program the car to accept a new one which will save transferring the chip.

andy444

I only have the one key.


I am looking at selling my car soon, and so to help the ease of selling it I really only need one key that will do the job.

oldtoolie

A locksmith can swap the immobilizer chip into a new key and cut the key. Be very careful if you have only one key with immobilizer -- very expensive to replace if you lose it.

Stoke

andy444 wrote: »

I only have the one key.


I am looking at selling my car soon, and so to help the ease of selling it I really only need one key that will do the job.

One key puts off a lot of people, just pointing that out.