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2002 and up will require the OEM key, at this time.

Aftermarket transponder keys are ALWAYS being introduced and improved for more model coverage.

Each make and model will not have the same parts or protocols, so do not assume that a Ford Focus will cost as much to replace keys as a Lexus.

Locksmiths are the way to go.

Skip buying keys online. Buying, having them cut and programmed will almost ALWAYS cost more at the dealer or on-line.

Back to the SAAB. If all keys are gone, the job is more expensive, but not 2000.00.

The T.W.I.C.E. module which is the interface for security and other functions can be supplied and programmed to match the ECU by locksmith, and new keys programmed in. The old one will be sent in as a CORE for reflashing.

It will not be 100 buckaroos, but you might recoup a percentage of the bill on your auto insurance, under the "Roadside Assistance" coverage.


IF you want the remote, we order one wholesale, and program into car.

Not all locksmiths do this make and model, so if your locksmith does NOT, he/she should have a go-to guy to refer you to.

Currently, most makes and models of cars do NOT require such a complicated replacement issue.

We cut keys and program, even on all keys lost on the following:

Acura
Audi
Chrysler
Dodge
Honda
Hyundai
Isuzu
Jeep
Kia
Lexus ( cracked remote head 3 button keys can be RENEWED, saving hundreds)
Mazda
Nissan
Opel
Pontiac
Saab
Toyota ( cracked remote head 3 button keys can be RENEWED, saving hundreds)
Volkswagen

ADDITIONAL NOTES AND INFO on Transponder / LASER keys........

1. There are a few brands that CAN be serviced, but I feel the process is best for car lots, and not for car OWNERS...

A.BMW
B.Rover
C. Mini

The procedure on these requires all new keys. Existing keys can NOT be retained at this time.

2. TOYOTA / Lexus

These have an immobilizer system that when all keys lost, USED to require a new computer. This was overcome a numbero of years ago, and dealers as well as service books will erroneously indicate a new computer is needed. TOY/LEX immobilizer systems can be reset via the obd port by your locksmith, on all the models using the 32Bit computer. This is roughly 65% of the product output. The remaining 35% require removing the ECU, and connecting a chip reflash device to RESET the chip.

There is no need at all to buy a NEW computer, if the old one is workign correctly, other than having no keys.

3. CHRYSLER, DODGE JEEP. A new "cloneable" key is being released in the next few months, that allows for making an electronic copy of the original key, without requiring programming through the cars computer.

Cloneable keys are faster n easier, but not necessarily as good as individually programmed in keys.

SOME cloneable keys introduced in last 2 years have a battery in them. Should the battery or the contacts fail, the key stops working. These are branded as ILCO, HYKO, JMA or Bianchi. Some were recently recalled.

Any cloneable key with a T2 or T5 after the part number, is non-volatile, and should perform very well.

These can be used as a cloen of another key, or have original data written to them, so they can be programmed in as a unique original key.

If you have such a T2 or T5 key, rest assured, you should be fine.

If you have a HONDA that requires a RED key to program:
A. Do not use the RED key as a key to drive with, it is only for programming
B. If you LOSE the RED key, the regular key CAN be cloned, eliminating the need for RED key. this will save you HUNDREDS.
C. if you lose RED key, and ALL user keys, a module will need to be reset or replaced, and new keys programmed in.

Some Scooters and Motorcycles have the RED KEY system, inclising Ducati. The black keys can be CLONED, saving you HUNDREDS.

BEFORE losing keys, get your KEY CODE NUMBER and when applicable, the PIN number for scan tool programming. Some cars have a valuable pin, some remains for life of car. Because most mfr will not supply key code, you will save money when you call a locksmith, with all the info to make the job faster and easier.

By the way... those "Laser Cut" keys involve no lasers.... we cut them on a CNC Mill.

City Lock is located in Boulder Colorado email jeff@citylockusa.com
]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#884624 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#884624 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#883665 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#883665 GMT
With TWO keys on hand, it was $25 for my Escape, but with 1 or fewer, it would have been $200 per key. eBay is a good source because wrecking yards have figured out that keys are a good thing to stockpile, and then sell on eBay. So that innocent little "worthless" Ford fob of mine? Not at all worthless. People want 'em.

Go to a Saab wrecking yard, and you'll find you can buy alarm fobs. I don't think that was the case 20 years ago.

As an aside, the "used" fob I bought to have on hand for my Maxima was in better condition than either of the two I already owned. I think I paid $8 for the Nissan fob I bought. Would have been closer to $100 from the dealer.

This was submitted as a Saab question, but these answers are pretty much universal.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#883629 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#883629 GMT
(unclear if the original poster has zero or one keys)]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#879416 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#879416 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#876828 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#876828 GMT
Thank you very much.

I think the general rule here is, get an additional key for your car ASAP. I heard about this on my Escape, too, that if you buy a replacement key and you only have one key left, you have to go to the dealer. Reprogramming at the dealer cost hundreds. So I decided I wasn't going to get in that predicament, and bought a new key and a new alarm for about $25 on (wait for it) eBay, and had the key cut ($1). Did the fob programming myself, because I had 2 working keys. That's the important part; I had to have two working keys.

Anyone who buys a car needs to get an extra set of keys. I don't care what brand it is, or where it's made. Get onto eBay and get your duplicate.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#875633 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#875633 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#874827 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#874827 GMT Which would you rather loose, your key or your car? 

It appears that in this case, it doesn't matter which one you lose. The cost of replacing the key could exceed the value of the car.

It seems to me that this goes past the point of being useful. If a pro wants your car, they will just winch it up on a flatbed and break into it at their leisure back in their "shop". The vast majority of amatuer thefts can be discouraged by much less expensive means. Heck, I'd even buy into Lojack before I accepted this kind of set up if I was that paranoid about someone stealing my car.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#880056 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#880056 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#879015 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#879015 GMT
One solution to the whole Saab problem is to never buy a Saab or any other car that costs $2000 for a key replacement. Hopefully Saab will read these posts and do something, if only lowering the cost on these replacements. Perhaps a class-action lawsuit?

Sharon, I'd find a lawyer and/or push this up the Saab food chain.

]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#874653 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#874653 GMT The law of unintended consequences lives on. With improved ignition lock protection systems, the only way to smoothly steal a car is to wait until the owner is in it with the keys, either getting into it. out of it, or already driving it. This is called "carjacking." Carjacking became popular with the development of more secure ignition locks. In the days of 60-second car thefts, there was no need for carjackings.

Tough choice: more car thefts and fewer people shot, beaten, raped then shot, and back-seat babies unintentionally kidnapped, or fewer car thefts and more carjackings.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#874414 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#874414 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#874214 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#874214 GMT
This was the highlight of Show #806 for me. It put everything into perspective. The dealer can make a spare key as long as you have the original one. I imagine there will be a glut of keys being made tomorrow at dealerships all across the country over this one! It's something that I always mean to do and forget when I take my vehicles in for service, but now I will do it. Nice to learn from other folk's woes. All of this advice has spooked me.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#871283 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#871283 GMT
Someone else describes a similar experience:
http://www...bID=237963

I recently had my fob and key stolen; along with my car! The car was recovered without the key/fob. I purchased a new fob via Ebay and had it programmed at my local dealer for $45. I ordered a replacement key through the dealer for $40 and it was shipped within 2 days. Be prepared to show your title.

BTW, "Troubleshooter's" advice to do what already cannot be done is condescending and pointless.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#871235 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#871235 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#870849 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#870849 GMT
There is a difference between copying an existing key, and trying to make a replacement when no key is available to copy.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#870027 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#870027 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#869618 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#869618 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#869227 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#869227 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#869035 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#869035 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#868628 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#868628 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#872832 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#872832 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#868834 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#868834 GMT http://saa...bID=111036

http://saa...y=lost+key

Remember to look into filing an insurance claim.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#868827 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#868827 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#868631 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#868631 GMT http://www...=lost+keys ]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#868624 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#868624 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#868612 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#868612 GMT really knows Saabs, I know TW at thesaabsite.com can tell her exactly what parts she needs and what to tell her mechanic.

I've heard dealers have huge markups on some things, she might be able to save a lot just by getting the parts herself if she has a mechanic who can install them. How much of the $2000 is parts and how much is labor?]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#868611 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#868611 GMT
]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#868475 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#868475 GMT
How about two grand.

That's what Sharon's friend's dealer wants to get her a new key for her 2000 Saab C93. For that price, she can get a new car. (Well, by Tommy's standards, anyway).

Got any suggestions for her, that might save her a grand -- or two? Share them right here. And, as always, thanks.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#868439 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/780616.page#868439 GMT