I just discovered one of my car keys is lost somewhere.
I have no recollection of misplacing it somewhere, and the last time I think i saw the key is two weeks ago.
Now, most likely it is still in my house, anyway of searching for a signal the key sends out? It is one of those keys which you don't need to take out of your bag to open or lock your car. So perhaps, it sends a constant signal ?
& if anyone knows what is the cheapest way to replace one of these?
hahah, i am thinking of doing that with other two cars, maybe the key has fallen off the seat somewhere.
Even if you could pick up the signal it was emitting, you would not be able to locate it using that signal. It would, however, tell you if it is in the house or not. The other problem is that it works in a pretty weird frequency band (most are on 433mHz). You wont pick it up with household items like your phone, wifi or bluetooth.
There are two ways you can go;
A) Go to eBay and see if there is a seller there selling replacements for your car. It may be a simple set of steps to reprogram the new remote to the car. Open door, close door, ignition on, ignition off, lock, unlock… you get the picture…
B) The other option is to take it to a locksmith and get them to do the job properly. And before all you eBay shopping pros downvote, I'll explain why this is a better option…
The issue with option A is that it does not remove your old remote from the cars memory. So that remote will still open the car if it is found by someone who isn’t you. Let say you lost it in a shopping centre you regularly visit. Who ever found your old remote can walk around pressing the button until a car responds. Get in it and then drive away.
With option B, yes, ok, ok, I get it, calm down, yes, it is more expensive, but the locksmith will remove the old remote from the memory so it will not start the car. The key part may still open the car, but the remote wont and the transponder chip wont start the car. And the best thing is, if you do find your key later, under the couch, you can get that programmed back to the car and have it as a spare.
locksmith,,, like the shopping centre ones,, or someone more professional ? dealer quoted 900-1100 for a spare,, definitely looking for a cheaper option
Good lord, no, not a stealership. 99% chance they will get the local locksmith to come in and do it for them anyway and hit you with a hefty "overhead".
Find a good, reputable automotive locksmith. Some locksmiths do both buildings and cars, some will specialise in cars. It depends a lot on the car, but it could be anywhere from $100 to $???. I had to get a remote and key replacement for my VE Commodore Ute and local Holden stealer wanted $600+. Locksmith charged me $220.
I am a locksmith, but we don’t do cars. I'm not here to drum up business for locksmiths, just trying to give some better advice in why the cheapest option is not always the best. Just give one a call and ask the question. If it's a common car, it might not be that expensive.
If you for sure, 100% know that the remote was lost in the house or somewhere and it will never find its way back to your car (ie: off a boat/another country), then go with option A.
And for the record, Mister Minut (sp) mall shops are not locksmiths. They can cut keys and maybe clone remotes, but that's about it.
thank you! also why do the locksmith needs to know my rego to make a replacement？
@jli789: They need to cover their arse. They will need to make sure that you are the owner of the car. They can’t just make a new remote and key for a car and give it to anyone that asked. They need to make sure that the person ordering the key is the same person that has the rights to that vehicle.
I knew our resident locksmith would reply. Great effort.
What make and model is the car?
it's a bmw x3
anyway of searching for a signal the key sends out?
Just use your eyes like everyone else and look for it? :)
Key signals work in one of two ways, transmitting a radio signal when you push a button, or as an rfid which responds to a radio signal with a code. Rfid keys do not constantly transmit a signal.
As your key is a proximity key (you don’t need to push a button and can leave it in your pocket) you’ll need to wander around the house with the correct rfid radio signal and wait for a code to come back at you.
Check the fridge, second shelf.
I usually check the washing machine
looked up and down throughout my house, no luck. Last time i remember seeing it was even two weeks ago…
push the car around the house until it unlocks, then you'll know the keys are nearby