abzsti

Familiar post this one. I have looked back at the previous posts but am still somewhat baffled why this should be so difficult to fix. Story is, I got 1 key with my 06 MY FSTi. Now, the obvious concern regarding losing my one key took me to my local stealer who told me they could provide me with a replacement for 120 quid. They would however require the original key to be sent away. Now, my car has an aftermarket alarm system as I was told the original car did not come with one. For opening and closing I use the additional fob supplied. To start the car, I depress the clutch and turn the key. If I have missed the 30-40 second window since opening the car with the additional fob there is a 3 pin button to the side of the steering column which I can engage apparently to allow the engine to be started. Now this is where it gets confusing for me. Subaru did indeed take my key and get a new one cut - however they told me that without the code for the original immobiliser they could not recode the new key - despite having sent away the old key with it. Is it not possible to either...

1) Discover the code of the original key and replicate it on the transponder on the new key? - this for some reason is not possible.....?
2) Recode the immobiliser with a new code and match transponders in the the keys to that code.

As a matter of interest - would subaru have done something useful like stamp this code anywhere on the car? If so where and how many digits would I be looking for?....

I payed the money anyway so I have a key that will in theory start the car with the transponder sorted.

Any boffins out there please.....

pjlfc

Hi,
I was in the same boat with just the one key supplied.I rang a Subaru dealer who told me they couldn't do it because it was an import.
I took the key to a local locksmith who cut and coded me a key for about £50,it can't remote lock/unlock the doors the way the original can,but will start the car.

Pete

__________________
Mocom Re-Map,Apex Coilovers,Wr Sport backbox

NorthDownsScooby

Was it a national chain...?

abzsti

Did he do it from the original key or did you supply him with a code?

Barry.

castor

and to confirm.... you say that with your new spare key you can start the car, without the origional imobilisor key nearby?

ewong_kaizen

Read the OWNERS MANUAL as to why its so difficult.

It explains it in detail.

On some models (XT) there is a "chip" inside the key.
The "computer" needs to check the chip code against its database.
All keys need to be present and the ECU needs to be connected to some dealer machine (aka computer interface) to get all the keys cleared.

You can get a spare key cut - but it wont start the car.
IMHO that might be useful for "locked keys in the car" but it isnt useful for "lost my keys in the lake".

pjlfc

Not a national chain

It works perfectly fine,he 'read'the original key on a PC and programmed the new key and it starts the car(just double checked),but then I wouldn't have paid £50 just for a key.The biggest problem was,he initially thought he didn't have a blank in stock.

Pete

__________________
Mocom Re-Map,Apex Coilovers,Wr Sport backbox

James

I am not sure about the Subaru, since mine doesn't have the immobilizer chip...

But when I was looking at cars, the Mitsubishi immobilizer, there is a sequence that you have to do to "teach" the car a new Key. Something like Start the car with the Old key, then turn it off, and start the car with the new key within 10 seconds or some such. I had the dealer show me, because I would have needed an extra key if I bought the Outlander. Oh and the old and new keys have to be kept a certain distance apart, while you are doing this, or the car might mot read it properly. Also the door might have to be open.

hope that helps.

__________________
2007 Forester 2.5x 4EAT Special Edition
2001 Mazda Protege 2.0l 5M LX (SOLD!)

abzsti

Great,

So is this something that other people can do? I have the right blank c/w transponder inside the key and the key is cut - all I need is someone with the right kit to be able to recode the transponder. Do you have contact details for the person that did this for you?

Barry.

pjlfc

Yep,
just get the yellow pages out and ring a few local locksmiths,that's all I did.A couple said because the subaru software was too expensive and they didn't cut enough subaru keys to justify the expense.
I could get you the details of the one who did mine but it would probably be a 600mile round trip!!Live on The Wirral.

Pete

__________________
Mocom Re-Map,Apex Coilovers,Wr Sport backbox

abzsti

Called Timpson (yes, the people that used to / still do fix shoes). Told me to try taking it into their shop and put it in the reader they have. Did that but was told that the key was "blocked" and could not be read. Will now try the yellow pages approach next......

Barry.

NorthDownsScooby

I tried Timpson's today by co-incidence. They did likewise, shoved it in some machine and said "dealer only".

pjlfc

Try a proper locksmith fellas.I took mine originally to a mate who's a cobbler who also cuts keys and he said to try a proper locksmith,which I did and they sorted it out.

Pete

__________________
Mocom Re-Map,Apex Coilovers,Wr Sport backbox

Tentenths

Got a spare for mine from Anglia Locksmiths whilst in Wisbech on Saturday.

Just stuck the original key in a code reader, grabbed the code and then used a Nissan blank to clone/cut a spare. Only (very) slight downside is that it doesn't have the remote locking/unlocking buttons of the original Subaru key - but not an issue as far as I'm concerned as it's for use with the spare aftermarket alarm fob.

Cost £55 and works perfectly.

Job done!

__________________
2007 FSTi
90 Lotus Esprit Turbo SE

castor

great - and not too far from home. thanks!