Thread: Emergency Key 02-05 L322

Hi Guys.

I am wanting a solution for securing the car while at the beach. The options as I see it are
1. A combination lock box like Seacured, or
2. A "door only key", key that is not affected by hours of water submersion, usually only good for opening the door.

Hiding a key on the car or anywhere else is stupid and there are increasing reports of Seacured (or Surf Lock) boxes being opened and bye bye car! In looking into Door Only keys today I noticed this in the owner's manual

KEYS AND HANDSETS
You have been supplied with two remote
handsets with integral keys which operate all
locks and an emergency key, designed to fit into
a wallet or purse. The emergency key can be
used to open the doors and start the engine, but
has no remote functionality.

We have the 2 original keys but I've not heard of or seen an "emergency key"?. I understand that the full key essentially has two systems contained in it, The remote to unlock the car and the chip to talk to the immobilizer. I assume that the emergency key contains the chip so the car will start with it, and won't be worried about getting wet - is this correct?

Anyone got one? Anyone know if I can get a new one?

Other option for a Door Key, is to buy a blank off ebay, get the blade cut and remove the electrics. Hide my full key inside.

Hi Gav,

Interesting bit of kit, especially at the price. The most important piece for us folk is the inductive programmer for the RFID chip. I didn't see anything in the pictures for this unit that indicated that it has, or uses, one. Can't make the key work without it.

It's possible that it uses the cars own ignition barrel loop to do this as that's what happens every time you insert the key and attempt to start the car. The ECU synchs with the key and writes the new code to the key. If it uses the cars inductive loop this could be a good buy indeed. It's still an issue though initially as you can't turn the new key in the ignition barrel until the ECU recognises the RFID chip. This is why an external RFID programmer is required.

The approx process that needs to be followed is:-

Read ECU and determine which keys are enabled.
If reusing an existing slot then proceed to program key step.
If setting up new key position enable key in ECU.
Write/verify ECU information for all keys.
Read ECU key information for key to be used.
Write KeyID and starting code to RFID chip in new key.
Insert key into ignition and check synch OK.
If OK start car with new key.

The HawkEye tool has the ability to activate/de-activate keys and synchronise the ECU. I'm sure other tools have this functionality too.

The key piece (pun intended) is getting that pesky little RFID chip to have the correct key code and have it match with the ECU so the rolling codes work to unlock the ignition barrel and start the car whenever that particular key is used.

The locksmith who cut the shaft of my new key was happy to attempt to program my key - until I pointed out that it used a rolling code and he couldn't just clone my current working key!

Cheers,
Iain

EDIT. Yep, that's the same key as I've just obtained. A good deal even before the key programming thing.

Here are a couple of programmers that I believe should do the job BUT you need to gain access directly to the EWS chip. There's one here or here.