Replacement Key housing - mine is worn

R

rsmithinfo

New Member
Messages
3
Hey folks, my keys look pretty worn out so I was thinking about getting them rehoused which I have done on other cars. I have done a search and have seen some low quality looking ones, stuff on AliBaba, etc. Has anyone done this on the forum, any recommendations of providers? And ideally, any upgraded / better looking housings around? 2008 key so key starts the car, not remote. Looks the attached, with three buttons the other side
 

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Scaf

Scaf

Member
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6,585
As it’s not broken (often they are) you might get a half decent result with fine sanding and polishing.

But if you do go down the replacement route be careful not to lose or damage the transponder that is bonded inside (but has been known to come loose).
 
MarkMas

MarkMas

Chief pedant
Messages
8,944
rsmithinfo said:
Hey folks, my keys look pretty worn out so I was thinking about getting them rehoused which I have done on other cars. I have done a search and have seen some low quality looking ones, stuff on AliBaba, etc. Has anyone done this on the forum, any recommendations of providers? And ideally, any upgraded / better looking housings around? 2008 key so key starts the car, not remote. Looks the attached, with three buttons the other side
Click to expand...

While the forum search function is pretty weak, and is hopeless for short words like 'fob', you can just Google sportsmaserati+fob and read the 94 threads on this topic to save people just repeating all the known experience and information again.
 
Devonboy

Devonboy

Member
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1,291
All I would add is to avoid the cheap chineese cases of ebay. The key blades can snap as the metal fatigues quickly. For DIY - go for alfa oem key body like phoenix keys use.....
 
R

rsmithinfo

New Member
Messages
3
Thanks for all the replies. And noted on using Google instead of the forum search - good idea to find the good threads. I just got mine so there's lots to find out. Like figuring out exactly how to get the seat reset done - I haven't cracked it yet, or maybe mine is being stubborn (I've got the threads and YT videos though!) :) thanks all.
 
B

Bondy

New Member
Messages
7
I got one good key and one completely knackered key when I bought my car. I took a punt and purchased a cheap case (think it was an eBay jobbie). It's a bit of a faff to do but it's absolutely fine. Sure, it doesn't feel as solid as a genuine one but it does the job and looks identical. I wouldn't expect it to hold up if I threw it at the wall or stamped on it, but nor would I the original.

I keep the original one as the daily key and the cheapo case one as the spare but I'd have no issue swapping them over.

You need to disassemble your old key and swap components. The logo, key blade, PCB and transponder. Small hidden screw under the logo. The riskiest part of the whole thing is the transponder chip as it's bonded into the old key, but slow and steady cutting got it removed without breaking it.

Replacement case on the left, genuine on the right.

16849670714006136905188434215402.jpg
 
MarkMas

MarkMas

Chief pedant
Messages
8,944
Bondy said:
.... Small hidden screw under the logo. The riskiest part of the whole thing ....
Click to expand...

..."small hidden screw under the logo" which is glued on with the same stuff that NASA used to glue on the space shuttle tiles (post Columbia). So the challenge is to heat up the glue so you can peel off the logo, but without frying (a) the logo) (b) the case and (c) the chip. Or there is brute force.

Key Fob 2.jpg
 
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