Lets imagine that you have lost your one and only key.....

[NewcastleFalcon]

Hello

Its unlikely I know, but just imagine your one and only key has chosen to hide itself in some unknown location.

The doors of the car are open though, and you need to start the engine.

By a stroke of good fortune, in the shed you find an ignition barrel, and in the deep recesses of your welsh dresser you find two keys which fit, and operate the switch.

Is the motor going to start with a simple exchange?

Any contributions gratefully received

regards

Neil

[CitroJim]

Depends on what car it is Neil. A MK1 Xantia for instance with keypad immobiliser will but a MK2 with the RFID immobiliser won't unless you recode the key (easy with a Lexia) to the transponder...

The same, I would imagine, holds true for most of the PSA range by and large. Other makes I really don't know.

So, what's happened and what car is it?

[NewcastleFalcon]

Thanks Jim

Its a M reg 1.9TD and it doesn't have an keypad immobiliser. The plips associated with the keys are batteryless, and programmed into my old L-reg 1.9TD from which the keys and the barrel came.

As for what happened..............the key has gone walkabout and so far hasn't decided to turn up!

regards

Neil

[CitroJim]

You'll be OK then Neil, just swap locks and job's a good 'un

[Deanxm]

You do need the key to remove the barrel from the steering column though...................technicaly.

D

[NewcastleFalcon]

Thanks Dean

Yes I had to resort to Haynes to get the ignition barrel out of the steering column when my proddings with the screwdriver didn't lever the barrel out.

"Insert the ignition key and turn it to the position between "A" and "S".

I won't have this option to get the "keyless" barrel out of the car. Is there a workaround this technical difficulty?

Neil

PS The "new"barrel and keys do the job. Connected the black brown and grey connectors without removing the keyless barrel just to test if it worked. The the motor fired up. Jim you were spot on. Thought I would take it along the street with the new ignition barrel dangling but before I had moved a foot I realised that the steering lock was on, and would need the original key to release it. How to get the keyless one out now is the next stage of problem solving-all contributions welcome

[Deanxm]

One of these should do it.

D

[NewcastleFalcon]

Dean

Not sure if its my browser but the image has a red cross in the corner on my computer so I am not sure what your picture shows. Its not a large screwdriver and a club hammer is it? Edit......it has appeared now a couple of blows with that should shift most things

regards

Neil

[Deanxm]

Pretty much yes, sorry but from memory i think the locating pin is hardened and in a tough place to drill, you could take the column off to have a good go at it but i think the precision poker and a large universal adjuster are going to be your friend here unless someone more enlightened can assist you.

D

[Timmo]

about 10 years back the very end if my ignition key snapped off in the barrel, the aa/rac type man managed to split the barrell and get it going, but the only way we managed to get it out was by drilling it down the key hole, obviously no good if you want to use it again!

[NewcastleFalcon]

On the theme of the large hammer, International Rescue would probably send this to drill out the ignition barrel.



Neil

[addo]

Working on the assumption of original locks, I'd have a new key cut by a suitable locksmith (like Rockley). Cheap enough, no drilling or bodging needed.

[RichardW]

The pin might be hardened, but the column isn't - it's fairly easy to cut a slot in the column and then bend up the tab to allow you withdraw the barrel (been there, done that on a BX). You can just bend it back afterwards - after all, who is going to worry about stealing the barrell from an M-reg Xantia...???

[NewcastleFalcon]

Found the key today lying nicely on top of a plastic storage box full of old photo's
I suspect it made its way there under its own steam.
No need for precision metal surgery on the steering column to get the barrel out this time, but thanks all for your help.

Still I have changed it for the barrel for which I have 2-keys. I was wondering why the other one with the found key was being so stubborn in coming out even though the retaining metal "button" was pressed well up out of the way.
Yes the retaining bolt with the ridiculously small head (used a little pair of mole grips I don't posess spanners smaller than 8mm) was still in place.

regards

Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

I've done it before, but is there a thread which has the instructions for "reprogramming" the plip?
I have two plips which need reprogramming. They are from a 1.9td L-Reg Mk1 and IR I presume.



Thanks Neil