Xsara Picasso 2007 replacement key and fob programming

[Mathemagic-1970]

Hello, my dad has mislaid the main key for his Xsara Picasso which includes the key fob. He is using the spare key which doesn't have a fob. We know it is in the house somewhere.
I have seen various retailers selling replacements but can't work out whether I can programme the keyfob to the car to disable the immobiliser so he can start the engine or if this programming can only be done by a specialist?
Any advice greatly welcome - Do I need a specialist to programme the fob on a brand new key and fob? I have seen ID46 transponder mentioned a few times. Or can I just put in the ignition in the same way as replacing the battery once the key is cut?
If I need a specialist, any ideas of cost for a complete, new, programmed key and fob?
Thank you in advance.

[GiveMeABreak]

You can't disable the immobiliser, that's the whole point of having one, so you will need to get a new fob and have it programmed. Programming can be done by the dealer or by somebody with a Lexia kit, but you will still need to have your confidential code that came with the car. It should be on the credit card type card in the owner handbook, but if you don't have this, then the dealer can supply it on evidence of ownership and proof of ID for a charge circa £20.

You can get in and out of the car using the spare, and if you can live without the remote functions, just get a spare key from the spare if you know what I mean. It will still need the chip coding inside the plastic of the key holder though.

[wheeler]

Your best bet would be to contact a local auto locksmith who will likely be able to do the job around half of the main dealer price.
If you have a new remote programmed to the car it will also kick out the one you have currently misplaced so this will no longer start the car or open it remotely if you find it again. It would need to be re programmed back into the car again.
If you were to get a new plain non remote key for the car but get your current key cloned rather than programmed to the car this will leave your other keys still in the memory so if you find it again it will still work as it normally did. If you do it this way you dont need the security code either.

[Ross_K]

can't work out whether I can programme the keyfob to the car to disable the immobiliser so he can start the engine or if this programming can only be done by a specialist?

I've seen cars where the owner's hot-glued the transponder chip somewhere close to the ignition barrel to avoid the expense of having a second key programmed. Obviously, a workaround like this is stupid and would most likely invalidate your insurance

...programme the fob on a brand new key and fob? I have seen ID46 transponder mentioned a few times.

The "fob" is just a circuit board which operates the central locking remotely, and is separate (in the case of a Xsara Picasso key anyway) from the transponder chip which allows you to start the car

If you can live without the remote functions, you can get a key blank cut anywhere and add a new transponder chip to the car using Lexia (once you have the confidential code from the dealer, as Marc has pointed out already).

Regarding your last question, the last time I went to a Citroen dealer for a remote key the cost was almost 400 quid.

Check your insurance policy as you may be covered for key replacement

[myglaren]

A mobile locksmith might be able to do it. I wanted a spare for my Civic as both my son and I use it and a mobile locksmith did the job for £130. The new key is a Peugeot one.

[wheeler]

Just to buy the remote & blade pre cut from Citroen is over £170. Thats without programming.
Your best bet here is to contact a local auto locksmith.