Central Locking Key Refub

Thomas61 · 12-08-2017, 11:35

Hi,
Well I finally got fed up with my one central locking key. The button never worked at all when locking the Terrano and not always when trying to unlock it. So I took the key to Timpson in my local Sainsburys.
They changed the whole outer plastic case including the outer rubber thumb keys and the part the blade molds into. Cut the new blade, soldered two new switches onto the circuit board inside and fitted a new battery. All for £35 which to be honest I did not think was too bad along with a guarantee.
So now I have a key that actually works properly

jims-terrano · 12-08-2017, 13:02

That is actually pretty good cos those switches can be a right royal pain in the bottom.
Now all you need is a second key, better to be safe than sorry.

Wheelie · 12-08-2017, 13:49

I've just changed both switches on my patrol, done it myself cost me £7. Little bit fiddly but done in about 15 mins

Thomas61 · 12-08-2017, 15:48

To be honest my soldering skills are probably not up to fixing it myself, I looked at parts and prices on ebay and decided that the hassle factor along with me possibility (probably) making a complete mess of it was just not worth the saving.

You are right Jim about the second key. I only got one key with the Terrano so straight away got a clone key that opens and starts the truck but no central locking. Don't like using it too much though as the lights flash and the alarm would go off if it had not been disconnected.

My now old key really was on it's last legs the blade was so thin I could bend it with my fingers, I had started to worry about using and carrying it. The rubber buttons had worn though with one of the switches completely disconnected. I also thought that the battery was running low.

jims-terrano · 12-08-2017, 16:14

When I worked for dealers I used to see broken keys and they didn't have a spare so often it amazed me. Nissan used to put a white sticker in glove box with key number which either wore off or got removed. Modern times manufacturers keep data bases with numbers but for how long and that won't get around the immobilisers.

If you're lucky you'll be able to get a old key from a scrapper or the guts of the remote and do a similar thing at Timpsons but your problem will be getting a blank chip and then getting it programmed. Nothing's impossible though so stick with it.

Banshee · 12-08-2017, 17:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by jims-terrano

When I worked for dealers I used to see broken keys and they didn't have a spare so often it amazed me. Nissan used to put a white sticker in glove box with key number which either wore off or got removed. Modern times manufacturers keep data bases with numbers but for how long and that won't get around the immobilisers.

If you're lucky you'll be able to get a old key from a scrapper or the guts of the remote and do a similar thing at Timpsons but your problem will be getting a blank chip and then getting it programmed. Nothing's impossible though so stick with it.

Like Jim said, it can always be resolved, at a slight cost worst case scenario.

Don't listen to all the scaremongering people like to spout

Blocky10 · 12-08-2017, 18:55

Ray mentioned in another post that if you have to use the key hole, to stop the alarm sounding and lights flashing, you need to unplug the bonnet switch. That'll stop the alarm arming

12-08-2017, 11:35	#1
Thomas61 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Hampshire Vehicle: Terrano but now Honda CRV Posts: 658	Central Locking Key Refub Hi, Well I finally got fed up with my one central locking key. The button never worked at all when locking the Terrano and not always when trying to unlock it. So I took the key to Timpson in my local Sainsburys. They changed the whole outer plastic case including the outer rubber thumb keys and the part the blade molds into. Cut the new blade, soldered two new switches onto the circuit board inside and fitted a new battery. All for £35 which to be honest I did not think was too bad along with a guarantee. So now I have a key that actually works properly

12-08-2017, 13:02	#2
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	That is actually pretty good cos those switches can be a right royal pain in the bottom. Now all you need is a second key, better to be safe than sorry.

12-08-2017, 13:49	#3
Wheelie Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Portsmouth Hampshire Vehicle: Nissan patrol 3.0 DI Posts: 638	I've just changed both switches on my patrol, done it myself cost me £7. Little bit fiddly but done in about 15 mins

12-08-2017, 15:48	#4
Thomas61 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Hampshire Vehicle: Terrano but now Honda CRV Posts: 658	To be honest my soldering skills are probably not up to fixing it myself, I looked at parts and prices on ebay and decided that the hassle factor along with me possibility (probably) making a complete mess of it was just not worth the saving. You are right Jim about the second key. I only got one key with the Terrano so straight away got a clone key that opens and starts the truck but no central locking. Don't like using it too much though as the lights flash and the alarm would go off if it had not been disconnected. My now old key really was on it's last legs the blade was so thin I could bend it with my fingers, I had started to worry about using and carrying it. The rubber buttons had worn though with one of the switches completely disconnected. I also thought that the battery was running low.

12-08-2017, 16:14	#5
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	When I worked for dealers I used to see broken keys and they didn't have a spare so often it amazed me. Nissan used to put a white sticker in glove box with key number which either wore off or got removed. Modern times manufacturers keep data bases with numbers but for how long and that won't get around the immobilisers. If you're lucky you'll be able to get a old key from a scrapper or the guts of the remote and do a similar thing at Timpsons but your problem will be getting a blank chip and then getting it programmed. Nothing's impossible though so stick with it.

12-08-2017, 18:55	#7
Blocky10 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Welcome to Norwich, a fine city Vehicle: 2004 Terrano 3.0 SVE Auto Posts: 3,601	Ray mentioned in another post that if you have to use the key hole, to stop the alarm sounding and lights flashing, you need to unplug the bonnet switch. That'll stop the alarm arming