Broken key

ponytrekker · October 17, 2019, 18:44

Hello - 1st post. Just the other day I broke my ignition key - ie, the body has come away from the blade. Fine - I thought - I can turn the blade to start the car. However it seems that the body needs to be very close to the ignition or the engine turns over but does not start. I have read a bit on the forum about new keys but there seems to be some variation - how do I identify what I need to order and where is a good place to get it from? $:-\$ $:-\$ 2000 Mk3 (I think!!)

househead · October 17, 2019, 19:08

I had this problem recently. I picked up a blank key (without immobiliser) from eBay and took it to my local keycutter (timpsons and other mainstream ones to be avoided apparently).

They cut the key itself, gave me a disclaimer that it might not work, and switched over the immobiliser buttons. They also gave me a new battery as they said it was low. Think it was a tenner for the cutting and about the same for the key on eBay. I'll try and dig out the thread I posted asking for this very same help.

househead · October 17, 2019, 19:10

Here ye go...

https://www.mr2roc.org/forum/index.php?topic=67794.msg802938#msg802938

There's another few topics on the subject. The search here isn't great but it should find them.

Oh and welcome along!

paulj · October 17, 2019, 19:19

The link you've been given will give you all the detail you need. Simple logic is that your key has a chip which communicates with the immobiliser ring on the ignition key hole, that's why the body needs to be close for the car to start properly. If you get a key with a new immobiliser chip there is a set of pedal pushes to do which programme it.

You didn't say if your key was the button one which operates the central locking and the alarm. If so that is a separate set of electronics and a separate programming system.

Just remember the two items are separate and you wont go far wrong!

househead · October 17, 2019, 19:27

If it's the black key with the buttons, then this is the one I bought, still available and only a fiver

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOYOTA-MR2-YARIS-2-BUTTON-KEY-FOB-REMOTE-CASE-TOY41-UNCUT-BLADE/381688857537

ponytrekker · October 17, 2019, 19:49

Thank you gents - I think I am getting the picture - I need to get the blank - get it cut to match mine - extract the gubbins from my fob and fit it into the new empty fob???

Joesson · October 17, 2019, 20:35

@ponytrekker , sounds like your key has gone the same way as mine.
I reused the old key metal blade and with a small amount of filing and drilling fitted the old blade into a new flip type key holder that would accept the electronic gubbins.
I'll have a look on the www and see if I can find something similar and post up a link.

Joesson · October 17, 2019, 20:51

Quote from: Joesson on October 17, 2019, 20:35@ponytrekker , sounds like your key has gone the same way as mine.
I reused the old key metal blade and with a small amount of filing and drilling fitted the old blade into a new flip type key holder that would accept the electronic gubbins.
I'll have a look on the www and see if I can find something similar and post up a link.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=flip+type+key+holder+for+toyota&_sacat=0

This is a link to ebay where you will see similar key fobs to the one I have.
The difference is that my key blade is 90 deg orientated to these. I cannot see as that would make any difference. If you get the fob you will need to take it apart and remove the new blade. Use this as a pattern to reform the end of your old key blade. I needed to file my old blade and drill a small hole iirc. Then refit the modified old blade, the electronic parts from your old key and perhaps a new battery and thats it. No key cutting required!

barchetta_ms · October 17, 2019, 21:14

I got 2 replacement keys cut at Timpsons - they had the correct ones on the shelf. They weren't OEM quality but £20 for the pair cut wasn't bad and I just moved the fob in innards over along with new batteries.

SV-3 · October 17, 2019, 21:52

Hi - have a look at this flip key mod on SpyderLEE's website: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmDD49RTpPc

ponytrekker · October 17, 2019, 23:28

Quote from: SV-3 on October 17, 2019, 21:52Hi - have a look at this flip key mod on SpyderLEE's website: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmDD49RTpPc

I like it here!! Very entertaining. However - I was concerned that SpyderLee had to break the old key to get the blade out. That would make it difficult for me to fit my blade to a new fob, wouldn't it?

SV-3 · October 17, 2019, 23:48

Agreed - on all points.
I'm a bit of a stickler for keeping things original so I would keep the key as it is - having said that I do have a flip key (original equipment) for one of my cars and I know which one I prefer to have in my pocket

househead · October 17, 2019, 23:53

I think this thread has inspired me to turn my old broken key into a flip key (safe in the knowledge that I already have 2 other working keys and one immobiliser)

stewart@boro · October 18, 2019, 08:39

This happened to me last year, I just got the super glue out

Joesson · October 18, 2019, 10:39

Quote from: ponytrekker on October 17, 2019, 23:28
Quote from: SV-3 on October 17, 2019, 21:52Hi - have a look at this flip key mod on SpyderLEE's website: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmDD49RTpPc

I like it here!! Very entertaining. However - I was concerned that SpyderLee had to break the old key to get the blade out. That would make it difficult for me to fit my blade to a new fob, wouldn't it?

Not at all. As I understand it your key is broken, that is the metal blade has broken away from the OE plastic housing. The metal blade should be intact and that is what you need to get a new key cut or fit the old OE blade from your broken key into a new flip type housing.

Presumably Spyderlee wanted to demonstrate that all is not lost if your OE key breaks accidentally or with wear and tear.

ponytrekker · October 21, 2019, 16:43

All done - new key from eBay - cutting by Gem Security, Bristol - worked 1st time. £15 all told - thanks for the advice.

plantpowered · November 11, 2019, 13:55

If anyone is interested, I just got a brand new flip key from Ebay that came complete with transponder chip. They are newly-manufactured keys (TOY41 blade), and you can pick the style you want; some are copies of US manufacturers' keys, but I went for a clone of the previous generation VW Group key, which looks identical in every way to the key I had on my old SEAT Leon MK2. It comes with full programming instructions in excellent English, which are very easy to follow, and worked first time. The key cost £30 including free shipping from Taiwan to the UK, and £10 for me to get the blank blade cut locally at a locksmith. The key is extremely high quality, and I'm very pleased with the results. No more bulky leg-jabber for me!

Link: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EUROPE-STYLE-FLIP-KEY-FOR-2000-2006-TOYOTA-MR2-FOB-KEYLESS-ENTRY-CHIP-REMOTE-TD1/133135885245

The seller was very reliable, shipped very promptly (arrived from Taiwan in less than 2 weeks), and responded to the question I sent him within a few hours (sent a message prior to purchasing to check it was definitely the right blade for my 2004 MR2). IMO, this is much nicer than the DIY versions that involve sacrificing your original key.

Edit: looks like my image URLs may not have worked, so here's a direct link showing my actual key (after cutting). I blurred out the tip, as it is possible to get keys cut from a photo... just a little paranoid

: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1FFJsE6TSAeK45mhjeLMpk9-2DQrX5vY8

Hope this is useful to someone. Feel free to PM me with any questions. I have no affiliation at all with this seller; just very happy to have found someone who could supply this key!

Bossworld · November 11, 2019, 17:14

Quote from: plantpowered on November 11, 2019, 13:55If anyone is interested, I just got a brand new flip key from Ebay that came complete with transponder chip. They are newly-manufactured keys (TOY41 blade), and you can pick the style you want; some are copies of US manufacturers' keys, but I went for a clone of the previous generation VW Group key, which looks identical in every way to the key I had on my old SEAT Leon MK2. It comes with full programming instructions in excellent English, which are very easy to follow, and worked first time. The key cost £30 including free shipping from Taiwan to the UK, and £10 for me to get the blank blade cut locally at a locksmith. The key is extremely high quality, and I'm very pleased with the results. No more bulky leg-jabber for me!

Link: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EUROPE-STYLE-FLIP-KEY-FOR-2000-2006-TOYOTA-MR2-FOB-KEYLESS-ENTRY-CHIP-REMOTE-TD1/133135885245

The seller was very reliable, shipped very promptly (arrived from Taiwan in less than 2 weeks), and responded to the question I sent him within a few hours (sent a message prior to purchasing to check it was definitely the right blade for my 2004 MR2). IMO, this is much nicer than the DIY versions that involve sacrificing your original key.

Edit: looks like my image URLs may not have worked, so here's a direct link showing my actual key (after cutting). I blurred out the tip, as it is possible to get keys cut from a photo... just a little paranoid : https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1FFJsE6TSAeK45mhjeLMpk9-2DQrX5vY8

Hope this is useful to someone. Feel free to PM me with any questions. I have no affiliation at all with this seller; just very happy to have found someone who could supply this key!

Very nice!

georgereece · October 14, 2020, 16:09

Why you have wasted time on URLs instead of hiring a local locksmith to help you?

MOD - Link removed, don't think a locksmith in the USA is going to help a Bristol UK problem

puma2 · October 15, 2020, 10:53

just a side note on this.
yesterday i had a locksmith turn up at the house and got a key done which is a flip key i was not given choice.
happy with it and checked all the locks. cost all in £162.

i did try smions last year they cut key and only woked to start car but not work on any other locks.
he did try 3 times and would have been a lot cheaper but gave up had money back.