C5 immobiliser / aftermarket key

[jgra1]

does seem cheap...
anyway.. arrives Tue.. may need some support when I try to code it

[jgra1]

key arrived.. looks ok.. has lock/unlock and boot unlock (which I guess wont work on a C5 S1)
silly question.. if keys are non reprogrammable, will I lose my service key when I try to program the new key? or is the service key different from the main keys if that makes sense?

also, can I program new key before it's cut? ie. during the program can I hold it near ignition barrel or do I need to insert it ?
thanks
John

[wheeler]

when you code a key you need to do all your keys at the same time, if you don't do all your keys any that are not done at the same time will be 'deleted' & wont start the car, you can at a later date re program a previous key back to the same car again no problem you just cant re program the key to a different car.
When doing the programing sequence you need to insert the key into the barrel & switch it on & off so it would really need to be cut, if you really wanted to do it with an uncut key you could remove the aerial from the barrel & use a different key in the ignition then hold the uncut key into the aerial.

[RichardW]

John

You won't loose the current key - but you do need to 'program' it at the same time as the new one AFAIK (you need to select 2 when it asks how may keys) - I suspect it reads the chip first, and if it matches the BSI then it leaves it, whereas if it's blank, then it writes the code to the chip. Check around for getting it cut mind - I bought one last week for out C4 , but Timsons said they will no longer cut blanks that are not their own - hoping I can find someone near work to do it (C4 Picasso uses a flat key that needs to be 'Laser' cut).

[jgra1]

thanks both