Options for Replacement Key

[BadIdea]

Hi,

I have a spare key for my 407 SW which does not seem to have any electronic internals. I tried it in the ignition today and the engine turned over but refused to fire, displaying a key icon on the dash. I'm guessing this means it doesn't have the immobiliser transponder either.

What is my cheapest option to turning this into a fully functioning key?

Thanks

[Paul-R]

A photo of the key would help.

It's quite possible that the key is a non-remote control type (no buttons to lock/unlock the car) but does contain the programmable chip to allow starting. This chip by itself is very small and with no electronics locking/unlocking, can be overlooked.

And that, in turn, the pairing between car and chip has been lost. You'd need a Diagbox to check this out re-pair if true.

[BadIdea]

Thanks for the reply. Here's a photo of the key itself - it looks like it did have some internals at some point in its life:

[wheeler]

If you just wanted to get it to start the car the cheapest option is to get hold of a new ID46 chip & stick it inside the casing with a bit of blue tack & program it to the car, if you want also remote function too then just buy a replacement remote key, the can be bought cheaply enough from China. You can switch your old key blade onto it so you don’t need to have it cut.
To get it programmed either way you need your 4 digit security code.

[BadIdea]

If you just wanted to get it to start the car the cheapest option is to get hold of a new ID46 chip & stick it inside the casing with a bit of blue tack & program it to the car, if you want also remote function too then just buy a replacement remote key, the can be bought cheaply enough from China. You can switch your old key blade onto it so you don’t need to have it cut.
To get it programmed either way you need your 4 digit security code.

Thanks for the advice. I'll probably grab a replacement key and do as you say with the original blade. Guess I'd better start going through the paperwork to see if I have the 4-digit code.

[wheeler]

Are you programming it yourself or getting someone else to do it? If you are getting an auto locksmith to do it they should be able to extract the code for you. Dealers seem to charge anything from £0 to £35 for the code.

[Dormouse]

Gettting a replacement fob and changing the blade is not straight forward. There are a few variations of press button centre and they won't swap. Unpinning the blade from the centre and trying to exchange it on its own doesn't work easily either, some tangs are different sizes and the pin is sometimes in a different location. They all look similar until you try it.

[Dormouse]

In these pictures everything looks the same but this blade will not fit the new fob. I have done several fobs and rarely get exactly the same blade and push button centre with either new or secondhand fobs. Notice the plastic box with spare bits - none interchanged with the new fob shown.

[Dormouse]

I know the blade here is vertical and yours is horizontal but the same issues apply.

[Gibbo2286]

Most of the locksmiths are equipped now to cut and programme car keys, if you have the code card.

[wheeler]

With the rectangular type PSA keys from China so far i have not had one that the blade hasn't been interchangeable with the originals.
Yes there are different types of internals but this would only be an issue if just swapping the casing over. I would say the intention here would be just to replace the whole remote but just swap the blade over.
Any half decent auto locksmith should have equipment to get the security code for you.