Only key lost! Can this be replaced DIY using Diagbox?

[citoyen x]

Did the police throw the key in the river to stop you from driving or did you drop it yourself?

I don't think it was the police, but it may have been the French secret service, trying to get me to stay in France.

[wheeler]

Jumping in on this thread, I have lost my only key for my Xantia. Because it's so old (2001) apparently it's not possible to get a new key from Citroen (I am actually in France and this is what the local garage said). I've found a set of keys and locks (ignition and doors) on eBay, but is that going to help? Seems ridiculous that a car (in excellent condition) becomes completely useless because I dropped the only key in a river!

Scrap yard, all the parts on another Xantia....there must be lots of those in yards scattered across France these days...

Thanks. I went and saw the local garagiste and he came and got the car open and then took the chassis number and the serial number of the "calculateur". He's calling some scrap yards this morning to see if they can help. The problem I can see is that this one is a petrol Xantia - which is uncommon here.

Remember you would also need the matching CPH off the same car.
If its just a standard non remote key and you have both the mechanical code & immo code an auto locksmith should be able to sort this in under an hour.

EDIT: I just looked into this now you said you only had a standard key. Standard keys already cut to code are still showing as available from Citroen for around £44 + VAT

[citoyen x]

My local (in Sussex) Citroen garage have given me the key number and transponder code. The local (in France) Citroen garage still insists they can't get a key, and when I asked whether they could recommend an auto locksmith I got a Gallic shrug.

So I found a locksmith about 30km away who has quoted me 400€ to cut the key and come over and pair it on Thursday. It's quite steep, but frankly I don't have a lot of choice. I'll definitely think twice before I drop my only key in the river again.

[Paul-R]

I'd think about getting a second key organised as well!

[wheeler]

Considering you already have the codes €400 is excessive i would say. When I checked earlier standard keys were available still cut to code but not blank & the remote insert blades are not available at all.

[citoyen x]

It's definitely a high price, but I know that when I had to get a new alternator in France (on my old HDi Xantia) about ten years ago it cost a lot more than it would have in England. And 160€ of the price is the callout charge. He will do a second key for 80€.

It would be great if I could order a pre-cut key from Citroen but even before they decided they couldn't get one, they warned it usually takes about two weeks. I can't wait that long.

Thanks for all the advice on here. It's quite funny, and a testament to your knowledge, that even in France you have a better understanding than the local Citroen garage. And everything you said was backed up by Worthing Motors (who kindly sent me the code etc).

[Paul-R]

How much out in the sticks are you? In my local Carrefour hypermarket there is a watch repairers that we walk past that does key cutting. I've never used their services but they do advertise that they can supply electronic keys for cars. What hypermarkets are nearby?

EDIT

You can see them in this photo https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Cen ... ?entry=ttu#

[citoyen x]

Nearest proper hypermarché is about an hour away by car, but I'd have to get a lift. I'm not sure whether that sort of serrurier would be able or willing to cut a key just from the key number - my impression is that they just do copies, although I'm by no means certain. In any case I'd still have to pay someone to come out and pair it.

Edit: to be more specific, we're in Aveyron, right near the Tarn and the nearest town is called Saint Affrique.

[Paul-R]

Mmmm, about 3-1/2 hours away. So not impossible. I have brought my laptop and Diagbox down with me but I don't know whether a 2001 Xantia has an EOBD port or something earlier. I only have the EOBD connector.

[wheeler]

If its a Xantia 2 Then its a 16 pin connector, if it was the older 30 pin connector it wouldnt have a coded key anyway.

[Paul-R]

@citoyen x
If you would like to PM me the details you have for the key I will go into town tomorrow and see what the price and availability for a new key would be.

In the meantime a photo of what a correct key looks like would be good. Both standard key and remote locking types please.

[wheeler]

The Xantia uses an SX9 key blade profile & has cuts on the side as well as the normal cuts on the top row. Most cut to code machines would require a specific adapter to cut side cuts from code on this key blank.

[Paul-R]

Sounds similar to the blades in our Mk1 C5 and Phase 2 Xsara.

[wheeler]

Exactly the same blades as the Xsara and mk1 & 2 C5’s

[citoyen x]

Thank you both so much.

I've found a set on eBay which look right. Hopefully this link will work: https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/lOMAAOSw ... l1200.webp

Paul, I have PMed you.