Lost All Car Keys and Quoted $750 to Replace, Any Cheaper Options?

Mulga Bill on 19/04/2023 - 16:33
Last edited 20/04/2023 - 09:47 by 1 other user

I have lost the only set of car keys for my 2004 Holden Rodeo that I bought second hand with no booklets. I have been told if I can get the code from the dealer it will cost me $550 + $200 call out fee (I am in a rural area). Does anyone know if this is a good price or any cheaper options?

I have found out I can claim a $150 rebate from my RAA membership which helps a bit.

Update: I found a place that will do it for $220 if I bring them the driver side lock and immobilizer box under the steering column.

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  mapax on 19/04/2023 - 16:47

  +7

  Thought this was going to be a Pam thread…

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 19/04/2023 - 18:33

    Big mad that it isn't!

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  MS Paint on 19/04/2023 - 16:55

  Just call a few locksmiths that are happy to ship the keys to you.

  @pegaxs is our resident roulette table diesel mechanic locksmith and may have some good ideas.

  • 

    mapax on 19/04/2023 - 17:04

    +2

    Isn’t the transponder going to be an issue?

    • 

      Crow K on 19/04/2023 - 17:29

      Yes. It's easy to get a key cut that'll open your car door.. but it likely won't start the car.

    • 

      MS Paint on 19/04/2023 - 18:19

      I just assumed a 2004 Rodeo was probably using some 1995 technology but yes, you are likely very correct. My bad.

      • 

        mapax on 19/04/2023 - 18:43

        -1

        Not sure if it applies to commercial vehicles but I believe the nanny states of Australia made it compulsory for new cars to have immobilisers in 2001.

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  inherentchoice on 19/04/2023 - 17:15

  Do you have a photo of the old key? Can order a blade very cheap with a good photo. Can even be ordered from China on Aliexpress, laser cut by CNC. That would open the car door, but then someone will still need to code the chip/transponder.

  To avoid call out fee, I also wonder if it's easy to unplug the ECU/BCM and take it somewhere to get the key coded? But I suspect the locksmith would need to use the OBD II port rather than plugging into a module directly.

  Something worth a try might be to call a local auto electrician and ask if they could do it or recommend someone?

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  deme on 19/04/2023 - 17:58

  -2

  I have lost the only set of car keys for my 2004 Holden Rodeo that I bought second hand with no booklets.

  The real question is are you going to get 2 sets this time or cheap out and have to pay $$$ next time again.

  If you had a spare set coding a key is much cheaper.

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  iNeed2Pee on 19/04/2023 - 18:17

  +1

  Cheaper to buy another car

  • 

    mapax on 19/04/2023 - 18:30

    Have you seen how much a reasonable condition rodeo is worth in the current market?

    • 

      iNeed2Pee on 19/04/2023 - 18:31

      -1

      Sorry, thought I was still in 2006 before I realised my comment 😂

  • 

    JIMB0 on 19/04/2023 - 20:43

    I know my car would be a write off at $750 for a lost key.

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  pharkurnell on 19/04/2023 - 19:56

  Why is it so expensive to get the code in first place?

  Dude other week camping at Merringtons, issed as uck at 3am accidentally threw his only pajero key in the fire… Car was also locked, but he did say they had plenty of supplies in the fridge

  He was up for a challenge…

  Get yourself a second key cut when you do it.

  • 

    Mulga Bill on 20/04/2023 - 09:45

    Sorry my wording was not great…"IF I get the code first myself it will then cost me $750"

• 

  dbadcock on 19/04/2023 - 20:52

  Screwdriver - Flathead, Hammer. Wiring Diagram

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 20/04/2023 - 08:59

    -1

    By code, I am guessing what they mean is the key code

    Guess again!

    It would also be the BCM code, the one to program the immobiliser chip to the car, so 2 codes.

    • • 

        [Deactivated] on 20/04/2023 - 09:57

        -1

        typically pulled out by a machine like a scan tool or a hand held chip reader

        Wrong again!

        Having worked at Holden their oline system holds Key, Radio, Security and other codes. The log books when new have a card with all this information (see the second last photo in this listing).
        If that card is missing/lost/not provided then the Holden dealer can enquire into the online system to retrieve all these codes.

        Why would the code be stored and able to be extracted with a scan tool? That defeats the purpose of having a security system if anyone with a $100 scan tool can just extract and program keys for the car they just stole.

        • • 

            [Deactivated] on 21/04/2023 - 14:14

            -1

            @pegaxs: Geez, remind me never to use your lockpicking services, you have no idea what you're talking about. In case you missed it, or didn't bother looking, the SECURITY CODE is what is entered to program the IMMOBILISER TRANSPONDER CHIP inside the key. Remotes can be programmed a lot of different ways with various vehicle, but a remote doesn't start the car.

            • • 

                [Deactivated] on 21/04/2023 - 14:56

                @pegaxs:

                I’ll just stick with my experience.

                Ok Mr Minit. How do you start a 2004 Rodeo with a remote? But what would I know just having worked at Holden from 2005 to 2013.

                3 cars here that don’t have keys, just remotes/fobs. (One of them literally has a “start the car” function on the remote…) How the hell do I start them?

                And when the battery goes flat in the remote how does the car start? You put the key in a recepticle or press it against the 'start' button where the immobiliser antenna/coil reads the transponder chip.

  • 

    Mulga Bill on 20/04/2023 - 09:45

    Sorry my wording was not great…"IF I get the code first myself it will then cost me $750"