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Spare key

My Saxo (1999 1.5D) came with only one ignition key and I'm a klutz when it comes to losing keys, so I nipped into town today to see about getting a spare cut. Timpson's say it's got a transponder in it, and they can't duplicate it 'cos it's a rolling code one - fair enough, I understand what this means - and that it's a contact-the-main-dealer job. Called the main dealer service counter but they'd just closed (bloody Saturday hours).

Anyway, what best to do about it? Can Citroen cut me a transponder-equipped key which will somehow work seamlessly if I lose the old one, despite the rolling code? If so, any idea on rough cost? Or should I take note of some appropriate details and stash them for if and when I lose the ignition key? (And I'm not sure the vehicle's got the original ignition/steering lock, 'cos it had a break-in under a previous owner, hence I have three keys, one for ignition, one for driver's door, one for everything else. So I don't know if VIN/chassis number will be sufficient.)

Advice much appreciated.

Reply to
Nick Dobb
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Try again. Go to a decent locksmith.

Don't know about Citreons, but similar systems (rolling codes) in many cars out there - local locksmith cut me a key for an Omega (also, previously Cav) re-synced the key (old and new) with car, apparently "clearing down old codes" - dunno, but what the hell, and programming the R/C/L to the car. Was reasonable price compared to dealer (think £20 for key, £25 for RCL & programming, £25 for immobiliser resync).

Re: losing your keys... there's always the kludge solution - remove the transponder chip from the key and bond it near the ignition barrel, then you only need the mechanical key bit - with the obvious risk that the car would be easier to nick (dunno what the insurance co. would have to say about it).

Reply to
Mike Dodd

Citroen will provide a key but likely to cost £45 plus you should have a key code card

Reply to
Steve Robinson

OK...but then presumably as soon as you use one of the keys and it rolls on to the next code, the other key is out of synch and won't start the car? So what good has it done you? Or is the idea that if you lose your main key you then have to get the spare one resynched before you start using it (in which case no point in getting it synched at the time of getting it made)?

RCL? = Remote Central Locking? If so, it hasn't got central locking, remote or otherwise.

Reply to
Nick Dobb

PS No I don't have a key card for it.

Reply to
Nick Dobb

Timpson were talking bollocks - called the dealer, they said no, it's a fixed code. Then the dealer started talking bollocks, about charging me £20 for a key, £20 to program it, and half an hour's labour charge to clear codes down from the immobiliser and etc. etc. etc. s**te s**te s**te. Called round a locksmith and found one that was able to cut a replacement transponder key and clone the transponder code over to it. Took less than a minute and cost £26, bollocks not included. (Rutherfords in Wellingborough if it's any use to anyone.)

Reply to
Nick Dobb

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