Has anyone had a key die?

[cowsurgeon]

Hi all,
I've tried using my spare (black) key a few times to unlock the car/turn off the alarm, and initially it would work intermittently but seems to have now given up the ghost entirely.

I tried replacing the batteries, but it hasn't helped,and I've tried the reset procedure in the technical manual (the one where you have to lock and unlock the car umpteen times with a working key, and then use the non-working one) and despite faries being in the bottom of the garden now, I still have a non-working black key. I even tried unlocking the car with the working key, and then starting the engine with the broken one (which worked fine) but it still wouldn't open the car or turn on/off the alarm - damnit.

Anyone have any suggestions or is it 'order a new key time'?

PS I have the red key


[quote: from a forum not a million miles away:

ORIGINAL: amir
as i recall seeing the tech advisor what u need to do is the following - two keys in two hands
lock / unlock 16 times and the 17th use the other key where it should re work
or something similar

Can anyone confirm that the above key sequence is true , if it is then ive got fairies at the bottom of my garden

regards loz ]

 

[conaero]

Without seeing it, its hard to work out. What I do know is that if you can start the car with the key, it is the correct key for the car, as the immobiliser ariel is reading the key and giving permission to start.

You have replaced the batteries, so we assume they are ok, so I would hazard a guess that the key is bust, but I guess you already know this. My guess would be is that the button is broken, so you are not making a circuit. Take it apart and see if you can bypass the button, by shorting the contacts. You may then be able to solder in a new one or have it done professionally for only a few quid.

 

[cowsurgeon]

Good idea - thanks! I guess if it's knackered anyway then I can't make it worse - will give it a try and let you know...

 

[conaero]

Exactly, good luck

Am i correct in thinking there is not an LED on the key to indicate the button being depressed?....I think I am thinking about my Alfa key.

 

[cowsurgeon]

That's right - no LED and the button's on the edge of the key, rather than the flat surface...

 

[conaero]

arh, yes, I remember now, seem to remember I suffered from flat nipples..........oh er!

 

[lozcb]

I did post about this somewhere just recently , had the same after i got my car back from Marranello's , the minute micro switch/button had collapsed under the rubber pimply button , fortunately i had a spare key from another car (shsss aquired it from a salvage yard ) then had my son in law who works at an electronics company on circuit boards and thingies ,remove the good switch from the spare , and fit it in my original and in less than five minutes gave it back to me job done and free well the price of a pint, what he did say was all the components on the board were pretty standard and not impossible get hold of and change




regards loz

 

[conaero]

There you go, and goes without saying, if you take a stab at it yourself, can you do a pictorial and post in the Running Reports & Technical Fixes

 

[warrench]

Hi all, firstly apologies for hijacking this old thread- closest I could find...
I have had my 3200 (manual) for about 3 years now and bought it with out the red key... Yes know... But now am thinking about replacing this. I know it will be a case of new ECU/immobiliser, ignition barrels etc but have a few questions on this.
1- does it make a difference when getting a full key kit as to whether the car is manual Vs auto?
2- mine has a Clifford immobiliser alarm with fob so how would this affect putting in a replacement key kit? Assuming best take it to the installers?
3- having spoken to eurospares, they used to stock key kits but can't source them anymore. I have spoken to Maserati in Italy (including visiting the Modena factory) who couldn't seem to help and pointed me towards a few local Indies... Does anyone know where I might source a kit?
I know it may seem like overkill but 1 of my keys opens locks manually but that's it and not the ignition (batteries changed too) and I would like the ability to replicate a key for safety (and should I sell, say "the all important red key" is present.
Any guidance from those better informed than I will be greatly appreciated

 

[spkennyuk]

My key died on my 4200. The micro switch had become detatched on one side. I did post some pictures on here. The switches if you need a new one are about £1 on ebay.

Its probably a dry or fractured solder on the micro switch. I have pictures of my 4200 key repair if you need them.

10 mins with a soldering iron was all it took and my key has been perfect since.

Pm me if you need the pictures. I will try and find the thread i posted them on in the meantime.

The key pairing procedure your trying is correct and the alarm light on the dashboard should light up to indicate the system is in learning mode. It does on the 4200 anyway.

 

[spkennyuk]

Picture for you as promised of a 4200 key repair. If you look at the solder on the red micro switch not circled in comparison. The legs of the micro switch sit flat on the circuit board. There is virtually no solder holding them in place when they leave the factory.

The solder fractures and one or both legs come away from the circuit board. My switch was fine i just resoldered it back on and all remains well 18 months later.

 

[warrench]

You are a Gent and a scholar! Thanks for this, I will give it a go and see how I get on!