cutting spare keys

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sonoramicommando
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cutting spare keys

Post by sonoramicommando »

Hi all,
My car came with only one set of keys - and I'm one of those people who is prone to misplace stuff so I'd like to have a spare set cut and stashed away somewhere.
The door key looks fairly generic but the ignition key seems a bit unique in that it's fairly thick for its overall size - would a corner locksmith have a blank to cut these keys from or do I need to order Citroen genuine blanks?
Cheers,
Sam
2006 C6 Exclusive 2.7HDi
1982 GSA Pallas
A couple of bikes
A boyracer car ;)
Hell Razor5543
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Re: cutting spare keys

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

You are going to need a Lexia system so that the ignition will work, and the security code card the car came with (although you can get this code from a Citroen dealership for a fee). The keys have a small microchip circuit built into them that is read by an induction loop around the ignition barrel, and is linked to the immobiliser system. If the microchip does not match, the immobiliser won't allow the engine to start. When the key is cut, you will need to 'introduce' it to the car via the Lexia (you will need to do this with all of the keys, otherwise those that are not done in a session are 'forgotten').
James
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR

C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
sonoramicommando
Posts: 339
Joined: 07 Sep 2011, 11:03
Location: Nouvelle-Zélande
My Cars: 1991 Citroen XM 2.0 carb manual
x 5

Re: cutting spare keys

Post by sonoramicommando »

Hell Razor5543 wrote:You are going to need a Lexia system so that the ignition will work, and the security code card the car came with (although you can get this code from a Citroen dealership for a fee). The keys have a small microchip circuit built into them that is read by an induction loop around the ignition barrel, and is linked to the immobiliser system. If the microchip does not match, the immobiliser won't allow the engine to start. When the key is cut, you will need to 'introduce' it to the car via the Lexia (you will need to do this with all of the keys, otherwise those that are not done in a session are 'forgotten').
ha ha you made my day - the best joke of the morning!
my C5 came with only one key too but I always thought I'd sell the car soon but still got it after 5 years...
2006 C6 Exclusive 2.7HDi
1982 GSA Pallas
A couple of bikes
A boyracer car ;)
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Stonehopper
Posts: 340
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Location: Shropshire
My Cars: 1975 GS Pallas
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Previously;
1982 Acadiane
1990 BX TZD turbo
1982 2cv Charleston
1971 AK 250
1978 AK 400
1982 Ami 8 break
1971 Ami 8 break
1979 CX Familiale
1960 2cv AZL (Belgian built)
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Re: cutting spare keys

Post by Stonehopper »

This modern stuff . . I dunno!

Best try the corner shop key cutters. Blanks might be a problem. Mine came with a new blank in addition, so only had the corner shop do his stuff.
Derek
Hell Razor5543
Donor 2023
Posts: 13727
Joined: 01 Apr 2012, 09:47
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x 2993

Re: cutting spare keys

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

sonoramicommando wrote:
Hell Razor5543 wrote:You are going to need a Lexia system so that the ignition will work, and the security code card the car came with (although you can get this code from a Citroen dealership for a fee). The keys have a small microchip circuit built into them that is read by an induction loop around the ignition barrel, and is linked to the immobiliser system. If the microchip does not match, the immobiliser won't allow the engine to start. When the key is cut, you will need to 'introduce' it to the car via the Lexia (you will need to do this with all of the keys, otherwise those that are not done in a session are 'forgotten').
ha ha you made my day - the best joke of the morning!
my C5 came with only one key too but I always thought I'd sell the car soon but still got it after 5 years...
Oh?
James
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR

C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
sonoramicommando
Posts: 339
Joined: 07 Sep 2011, 11:03
Location: Nouvelle-Zélande
My Cars: 1991 Citroen XM 2.0 carb manual
x 5

Re: cutting spare keys

Post by sonoramicommando »

Hell Razor5543 wrote:
sonoramicommando wrote:
Hell Razor5543 wrote:You are going to need a Lexia system so that the ignition will work, and the security code card the car came with (although you can get this code from a Citroen dealership for a fee). The keys have a small microchip circuit built into them that is read by an induction loop around the ignition barrel, and is linked to the immobiliser system. If the microchip does not match, the immobiliser won't allow the engine to start. When the key is cut, you will need to 'introduce' it to the car via the Lexia (you will need to do this with all of the keys, otherwise those that are not done in a session are 'forgotten').
ha ha you made my day - the best joke of the morning!
my C5 came with only one key too but I always thought I'd sell the car soon but still got it after 5 years...
Oh?
i was inquiring about key for my GSA - doesn't my profile show what cars I have?
and this being GS/GSA forum I naturally assumed you were making a joke about modern key/fob vs old fashioned keys...
2006 C6 Exclusive 2.7HDi
1982 GSA Pallas
A couple of bikes
A boyracer car ;)
sonoramicommando
Posts: 339
Joined: 07 Sep 2011, 11:03
Location: Nouvelle-Zélande
My Cars: 1991 Citroen XM 2.0 carb manual
x 5

Re: cutting spare keys

Post by sonoramicommando »

Stonehopper wrote:This modern stuff . . I dunno!

Best try the corner shop key cutters. Blanks might be a problem. Mine came with a new blank in addition, so only had the corner shop do his stuff.
had a look for blanks on ebay and chevronics and the other german vendor but nothing is showing up (other than key/lock combo at stiff price)
2006 C6 Exclusive 2.7HDi
1982 GSA Pallas
A couple of bikes
A boyracer car ;)
Hell Razor5543
Donor 2023
Posts: 13727
Joined: 01 Apr 2012, 09:47
Location: Reading
My Cars: C5 Mk2 VTX+ estate.
x 2993

Re: cutting spare keys

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

sonoramicommando wrote:
Hell Razor5543 wrote:
sonoramicommando wrote: ha ha you made my day - the best joke of the morning!
my C5 came with only one key too but I always thought I'd sell the car soon but still got it after 5 years...
Oh?
i was inquiring about key for my GSA - doesn't my profile show what cars I have?
and this being GS/GSA forum I naturally assumed you were making a joke about modern key/fob vs old fashioned keys...
While your profile does indeed show the GSA, it also shows 2 other, more modern Citroens, and your OP does not say which vehicle requires the key. I assumed it was one of the C5s.
James
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR

C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
macplaxton
Posts: 168
Joined: 08 Jun 2011, 18:09
Location: Ireland
My Cars: 1978 GS X2

Re: cutting spare keys

Post by macplaxton »

sonoramicommando wrote:
Stonehopper wrote:This modern stuff . . I dunno!

Best try the corner shop key cutters. Blanks might be a problem. Mine came with a new blank in addition, so only had the corner shop do his stuff.
had a look for blanks on ebay and chevronics and the other german vendor but nothing is showing up (other than key/lock combo at stiff price)
I had no trouble getting a locksmith that had blanks on the pegs, but that was a good few years ago.

On my 1978 car, the ignition key is Simplex, the door key Ronis and petrol cap key Faab.

Davenport Burgess lists the blanks as VC31, L62UC, FA1. Beware the the door key also has reverse cross-section cousin and that the ignition might also take a VC30 which is almost the same in cross-section to the VC30.

Image
cit_ign_1 by macplaxton, on Flickr
Image
cit_ign_2 by macplaxton, on Flickr
Image
cit_ign_3 by macplaxton, on Flickr
Image
cit_door_1 by macplaxton, on Flickr
Image
cit_pet_1 by macplaxton, on Flickr

Having found one of my spare sets, the Silca blank numbers are SX3, RO10 & FAB2. The SX3 is 12mm longer than the SX4, but the business bit is the same length.

Image
Citroen ignitions keys by macplaxton, on Flickr
sonoramicommando
Posts: 339
Joined: 07 Sep 2011, 11:03
Location: Nouvelle-Zélande
My Cars: 1991 Citroen XM 2.0 carb manual
x 5

Re: cutting spare keys

Post by sonoramicommando »

macplaxton wrote:...
Image
Citroen ignitions keys by macplaxton, on Flickr
I don't have the keys on me but the ignition key looks like it's symmetrical and thicker than the door key (in short, it doesn't look like an old car key) - my car doesn't have a petrol cap lock, I'm thinking of getting one though.
2006 C6 Exclusive 2.7HDi
1982 GSA Pallas
A couple of bikes
A boyracer car ;)
User avatar
Stonehopper
Posts: 340
Joined: 24 Feb 2012, 16:10
Location: Shropshire
My Cars: 1975 GS Pallas
1967 2cv AZAM
Previously;
1982 Acadiane
1990 BX TZD turbo
1982 2cv Charleston
1971 AK 250
1978 AK 400
1982 Ami 8 break
1971 Ami 8 break
1979 CX Familiale
1960 2cv AZL (Belgian built)
x 115

Re: cutting spare keys

Post by Stonehopper »

Of those key profiles my GS looks like the FA1 (ignition that is).
Derek
macplaxton
Posts: 168
Joined: 08 Jun 2011, 18:09
Location: Ireland
My Cars: 1978 GS X2

Re: cutting spare keys

Post by macplaxton »

Stonehopper wrote:Of those key profiles my GS looks like the FA1 (ignition that is).
Those images aren't to scale, the FA1 is about the same size as the door key.
User avatar
Stonehopper
Posts: 340
Joined: 24 Feb 2012, 16:10
Location: Shropshire
My Cars: 1975 GS Pallas
1967 2cv AZAM
Previously;
1982 Acadiane
1990 BX TZD turbo
1982 2cv Charleston
1971 AK 250
1978 AK 400
1982 Ami 8 break
1971 Ami 8 break
1979 CX Familiale
1960 2cv AZL (Belgian built)
x 115

Re: cutting spare keys

Post by Stonehopper »

Yes, and looking at my key the end on profile is none of the above. 8mm wide and 35mm long. Silca on the rubberised head.
Derek
macplaxton
Posts: 168
Joined: 08 Jun 2011, 18:09
Location: Ireland
My Cars: 1978 GS X2

Re: cutting spare keys

Post by macplaxton »

None at all?

I could only find 3 types, early GS, later GS and GSA. Does it having a Simplex key switch? Or maybe it has a Niemann?

(Note for anyone wondering: cross-section in catalogue is for blade being pushed into the screen, rather than looking a key with the tip facing your eyes.)
User avatar
Stonehopper
Posts: 340
Joined: 24 Feb 2012, 16:10
Location: Shropshire
My Cars: 1975 GS Pallas
1967 2cv AZAM
Previously;
1982 Acadiane
1990 BX TZD turbo
1982 2cv Charleston
1971 AK 250
1978 AK 400
1982 Ami 8 break
1971 Ami 8 break
1979 CX Familiale
1960 2cv AZL (Belgian built)
x 115

Re: cutting spare keys

Post by Stonehopper »

It's the same both sides, so either way up it goes straight into the switch - a Simplex.

Image

Image
Derek
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