Key Blanks/Programming

[Smithengineered]

Anyone have a stateside source for key blanks? Ignition key is chipped and ignition has the ring immobilizer. Is it easy to program the ignition to the key after the chip is programmed? Thanks

[Vovchandr]

These key blanks are just metal, not chipped. I believe the replacement was something like Ilco47 and they are steel and not available in the US. For some reason my google-fu is failing me and I can't find a quick number to reference the key number from my notes.

 

Even if you get a steel blank like I did, you will have a hard time finding a shop that does steel keys, most US keys are brass vs EU standard of steel. I found a brass match at the local locksmith and had to modify it in order for it to work.

 

With that said my 2001 Zetec has an identical key and there's no chip in it. My experience with chips is they are half decent sized "pill" and require a bigger key package than what you have above in order to fit. I'd be very surprised if that key held a chip in it, but I've been wrong before. I don't believe your ignition reads for a chip either.

 

If your car was build with an immobilizer it likely has a bypass key/chip permanently mounted in it as a bypass hidden under the dash which is what a lot of cars with remote starts do in order to be able to start the car remotely without a chip key not being present triggering a no start condition.

 

Feel free to try to peel the plastic casing off to see if you have a chip or not.

 

Edit: I don't know what phone you used to take that picture but that is a surprisingly sharp macro type picture of the key set. 

Edited December 5, 2022 by Vovchandr

[Smithengineered]

50 minutes ago, Vovchandr said:

These key blanks are just metal, not chipped. I believe the replacement was something like Ilco47 and they are steel and not available in the US. For some reason my google-fu is failing me and I can't find a quick number to reference the key number from my notes.

 

Even if you get a steel blank like I did, you will have a hard time finding a shop that does steel keys, most US keys are brass vs EU standard of steel. I found a brass match at the local locksmith and had to modify it in order for it to work.

 

With that said my 2001 Zetec has an identical key and there's no chip in it. My experience with chips is they are half decent sized "pill" and require a bigger key package than what you have above in order to fit. I'd be very surprised if that key held a chip in it, but I've been wrong before. I don't believe your ignition reads for a chip either.

 

If your car was build with an immobilizer it likely has a bypass key/chip permanently mounted in it as a bypass hidden under the dash which is what a lot of cars with remote starts do in order to be able to start the car remotely without a chip key not being present triggering a no start condition.

 

Feel free to try to peel the plastic casing off to see if you have a chip or not.

 

Edit: I don't know what phone you used to take that picture but that is a surprisingly sharp macro type picture of the key set. 

Im using a iPhone 11. I was kind of thinking the same about a chip being in the key as well. It’s way too skinny of a key I would think. Here is a photo of the immobilizer.  Thanks

[IamScotticus]

my notes on that switch 

Morris Minor
Lowe & Fletcher SWH116X
Nieman type BHA5215

 

You might be able to get a new switch and key set from Moss 

or here

https://www.morrisminorspares.com/

 

https://www.morrisminorspares.com/electrical-c54/electrical-switches-charging-c56/ignition-switch-steering-lock-lowe-fletcher-less-swt116a-electrical-switch-p1238258

Edited December 6, 2022 by IamScotticus

[Vovchandr]

4 hours ago, Smithengineered said:

Im using a iPhone 11. I was kind of thinking the same about a chip being in the key as well. It’s way too skinny of a key I would think. Here is a photo of the immobilizer.  Thanks

 

Very strange. That certainly does look like an immobilizer.

[jordway]

@Smithengineered, A while back I went through a long period of testing the usual suspects for a starting problem that went from occasional start fails to the car always failing to start.  Finally, after ruling out everything I could, a buddy of my mechanic tipped us off that it was a passive antitheft system problem.  This took both my mechanic and me by surprise.  My key is the same type as yours, and I too thought there was no way it could have a chip.  I tried the key/transceiver reset protocol of disconnecting the battery, turning key to on, reconnect the battery, turning key off and on.  After just one attempt, it started right up and I haven't had a start fail since.  I haven't dissected the key or gone looking for the transceiver, so I can't absolutely confirm that's what it was.  But, seems pretty darn coincidental, if not.  I think most Caterham owners with that key either don't have a chip in the key or don't have a PATS/immobilizer on the car (making the chip functionless).  But, I think there are some out there who do.  Mine is a 2004 Zetec SVT, by the way.  If you go the route of removing the immobilizer, please let me know how it goes. To your original question, I'm not sure about getting a blank key.  This is precisely why I'm so paranoid about losing track of my single ignition key!

[Smithengineered]

30 minutes ago, jordway said:

@Smithengineered, A while back I went through a long period of testing the usual suspects for a starting problem that went from occasional start fails to the car always failing to start.  Finally, after ruling out everything I could, a buddy of my mechanic tipped us off that it was a passive antitheft system problem.  This took both my mechanic and me by surprise.  My key is the same type as yours, and I too thought there was no way it could have a chip.  I tried the key/transceiver reset protocol of disconnecting the battery, turning key to on, reconnect the battery, turning key off and on.  After just one attempt, it started right up and I haven't had a start fail since.  I haven't dissected the key or gone looking for the transceiver, so I can't absolutely confirm that's what it was.  But, seems pretty darn coincidental, if not.  I think most Caterham owners with that key either don't have a chip in the key or don't have a PATS/immobilizer on the car (making the chip functionless).  But, I think there are some out there who do.  Mine is a 2004 Zetec SVT, by the way.  If you go the route of removing the immobilizer, please let me know how it goes. To your original question, I'm not sure about getting a blank key.  This is precisely why I'm so paranoid about losing track of my single ignition key!

I have found a source in the UK that has both keys in stock and claims they can cut the keys from a good quality photo. Im going to go this route and see what happens. Im in fear of losing my keys as well without a backup. 

[jordway]

2 minutes ago, Smithengineered said:

I have found a source in the UK that has both keys in stock and claims they can cut the keys from a good quality photo. Im going to go this route and see what happens. Im in fear of losing my keys as well without a backup. 

Great.  Kindly let me know how it goes and who did it for you.  I might do the same.  Awesome Caterham, by the way.  Love the BRG and yellow noseband/stripe.  Enjoy!

[Smithengineered]

13 minutes ago, jordway said:

Great.  Kindly let me know how it goes and who did it for you.  I might do the same.  Awesome Caterham, by the way.  Love the BRG and yellow noseband/stripe.  Enjoy!

Thanks! Key Trader is the company. I’m going to order tonight when I get home and I’d imagine they will be here in about two weeks. I’ll let you know how they work out. 

[Vovchandr]

You guys are making me wonder if there is a bypass under my dash. I know for certain I don't need a chipped key to start it as I start mine with a cut metal blank spare.

[IamScotticus]

great thread.

 

My Chevy has a similar "key programming" procedure.  I doubt its key progrmming, probably module re-learning to accept the key.  In Caterhams case a key transmitter or key RFID is taped to a receiver.

 

Edited December 7, 2022 by IamScotticus

[Smithengineered]

1 hour ago, IamScotticus said:

great thread.

 

My Chevy has a similar "key programming" procedure.  I doubt its key progrmming, probably module re-learning to accept the key.  In Caterhams case a key transmitter or key RFID is taped to a receiver.

 

Great thanks! After doing some research on keys that’s what I was figuring. 

[jordway]

27 minutes ago, Smithengineered said:

Great thanks! After doing some research on keys that’s what I was figuring. 

 

1 hour ago, IamScotticus said:

great thread.

 

My Chevy has a similar "key programming" procedure.  I doubt its key progrmming, probably module re-learning to accept the key.  In Caterhams case a key transmitter or key RFID is taped to a receiver.

 

Makes sense.  Thanks!

[Smithengineered]

On 12/7/2022 at 10:25 AM, jordway said:

Great.  Kindly let me know how it goes and who did it for you.  I might do the same.  Awesome Caterham, by the way.  Love the BRG and yellow noseband/stripe.  Enjoy!

Received the keys today and they work flawlessly! 

[jordway]

On 1/6/2023 at 6:23 PM, Smithengineered said:

Received the keys today and they work flawlessly! 

Fantastic!  Thanks very much for letting me know.  Since we last texted, I confirmed that my key does NOT have a chip... exactly what everyone was telling me from the get-go.  So, what you and @IamScotticus were discussing about the transmitter/RFID being taped to the receiver is my situation, too.

[IamScotticus]

36 minutes ago, jordway said:

So, what you and @IamScotticus were discussing about the transmitter/RFID being taped to the receiver is my situation, too.

I had only piggybacked on @Smithengineered post with the immobilizer pictures and I am pretty sure the keys and ignition switch are a Morris Mini or other vintage BL.

Identical to my keys and I don't have an immobilizer. But happy to help anyway.