Dear All, My car only has one original key. I would like it to have two for obvious reasons and want to keep the originality. (I do not want new style L322 keys). I do have a good matching pair of working p38 keys from a car I scrapped. Am I correct in thinking that you can't re-program keys to fit my car but I could have my BECM reprogrammed to fit my 'new' matching pair? I hope this makes sense.

As I mentioned to you last week, you've got multiple options but for the benefit of others, I'll list them here. The one thing to note is that the keys CANNOT be reprogrammed, but the car can be programmed to match the keys.

There's two important numbers for a key, the Lockset Barcode which gives details of the fob code (which needs to be in the BeCM so the fob will work) and the pattern number for the cutting of the actual key blade.

If you can get the fob code (the code that the remote sends to the BeCM) from the replacement keys, either by decoding the Lockset Barcode or having them read (Les at CRNW will be able to do this), the BeCM can be unlocked and the replacement fob code stored in it. You can then knock out the small Mills pin on your existing key to remove the blade and fit it in the replacement fob. As you only have one 'donor' key, you would need to get another cut to fit into the other fob (City Locks in Peterborough had 2 left in stock when I got a pair cut for the red 4.0SE). That will give you working fobs and keys but they will be a mix and match, Fob from one car but mechanical keyblade from another. .

Or, do as above but change the locks on the car (door, ignition and glovebox) to match the replacement keys. Then, as long as you keep a note of the VIN or Lockset Barcode from the replacement key source, you will be able to order a replacement key/fob should you ever need one.

Next option, change the locks so the keys fit but rather than reprogramming the BeCM, use the BeCM from the same car that the keys came from so the stored fob code will be correct. As long as the mileage stored in the replacement BeCM is lower than that stored in your instrument cluster, it won't update your mileage. You will get an odometer error but a couple of minutes with the Nanocom will sync the two mileages to whichever is higher. A Nanocom will also be needed to read the mobilisation code from the engine ECU and write it into the BeCM so the car will start. Again you will have given your car the identity of the donor car. The only thing that won't match is the BeCM has the last 6 digits of the VIN stored in it so that will still show the VIN of the donor car and not yours.

It's actually brilliant, change the car to match the key...

It looks like there aren't enough P38's still running, for someone to make programmable fobs.

th.

I spoke to Marty a couple of weeks ago and he has done it. He has a prototype programmable key that will work with his test bench BeCM but he needs to redesign the circuit board so it will fit into a P38 flip case. So rather than programming an existing key, he can program a new key to whatever code is needed. He's got no idea how long it will be before he can offer them though, his day job is taking up a lot of time at the moment.

That's really great.

Of course prototype to production takes time even when you can work on it full time, but he will at least have one customer when ready.

th.

When Marty gets that sorted, there will be a number of us asking for a fob.