New key fob for QPV or GT: how hard to transplant?

CatmanV2

CatmanV2

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48,806
'It depends'

I bought one and it bore precious little resemblance to the original in terms of where things should fit. Others have been far more successful. Technically it's quite trivial: PCB, battery and blade *PLUS* transponder chip which can be a little dicey....

C
 
mowlas

mowlas

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Thanks @CatmanV2. I was worried about any elements that are designed to be tamper proof. I wouldn’t mind wasting the money and trying the transplant as long as there was a way back to the old fob if things didn’t work out.
 
conaero

conaero

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The blade and electronics is simple, the RF chip is not. I broke one trying to do it for a customer and hence would never do one again. You could tape the old case/chip to the ignition barrel but it obviously reduces security
 
CatmanV2

CatmanV2

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conaero said:
The blade and electronics is simple, the RF chip is not. I broke one trying to do it for a customer and hence would never do one again. You could tape the old case/chip to the ignition barrel but it obviously reduces security
Click to expand...

The case I tried, the blade wouldn't even fit :(

C
 
MaserAndy

MaserAndy

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As above, if you're going to buy a cheap chinese case make sure you have a good look at the pictures as some of them have different internal layout that wont fit.
For the most part it is dead easy but the transponder is a small glass capsule sitting in resin/glue. I had ideas of trying to cut it out but bottled it in the end.
Marios at Autoshield did mine, at no extra cost I think, while he had my car in.
 
Devonboy

Devonboy

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mowlas said:
Thanks @CatmanV2. I was worried about any elements that are designed to be tamper proof. I wouldn’t mind wasting the money and trying the transplant as long as there was a way back to the old fob if things didn’t work out.
Click to expand...
I looked at this before going down the Phoenix Keys route.

The final straw was Timpsons, the refused to cut the blade as it was too poor a quality and the firm had too many complaints on the keys snapping in the locks...
 
mowlas

mowlas

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Devonboy said:
I looked at this before going down the Phoenix Keys route.

The final straw was Timpsons, the refused to cut the blade as it was too poor a quality and the firm had too many complaints on the keys snapping in the locks...
Click to expand...
Sounds like the best route, considering all the points raised so far in this thread.

Would any of those who have gone down this route mind sharing indicative costs (obviously may vary by whatever customisations have been chosen).
 
Gazcw

Gazcw

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The remote keyfob centre in Leicester (on ebay) can replace key with the same Alfa version as Bebs has. He won't paint them but then they aren't Phoenix prices either at £30.
www.remotefobcentre.com

Alfa Romeo

Supplying vehicle remote keys, spare parts, repair services, key blade cutting and programming services via postal services or at our premises in Leicester by appointment.
www.remotefobcentre.com
 
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A

alastairb

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239
ClemCam said:
These shells are available on Amazon Prime (same day) if you wanted a weekend project to play with.

£10.99 - 8 left in stock.

Click to expand...

I've just (re)swapped the internals of my key into one of them from that Amazon link .
Can confirm it works.
Reason Ive posted this is there are some spare fobs that have a different shape button as you can see below, these don't work with the recess in the key.

Correct one on the left.

IMG_20230326_153138_1.jpg

The Amazon item didn't come with a new Maserati logo though, previous AliExpress item did.
 
conaero

conaero

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Gazcw said:
The remote keyfob centre in Leicester (on ebay) can replace key with the same Alfa version as Bebs has. He won't paint them but then they aren't Phoenix prices either at £30.
www.remotefobcentre.com

Alfa Romeo

Supplying vehicle remote keys, spare parts, repair services, key blade cutting and programming services via postal services or at our premises in Leicester by appointment.
www.remotefobcentre.com
Click to expand...
Nice one Gaz, the SI Giulietta fleet are getting new colour coded keys.
 
conaero

conaero

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alastairb said:
I've just (re)swapped the internals of my key into one of them from that Amazon link .
Can confirm it works.
Reason Ive posted this is there are some spare fobs that have a different shape button as you can see below, these don't work with the recess in the key.

Correct one on the left.

View attachment 112730

The Amazon item didn't come with a new Maserati logo though, previous AliExpress item did.
Click to expand...
So how did you deal with the bonded in transponder?
 
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