Went to dealer, all confused about extra keys now

[campaiar]

My TI only came with one key. During the S52 swap I only got one key from the donor vehicle, swapped in the chip and everything is working great.

Knowing that I need another key I've been doing some research on them. My understanding is they cut 10 keys for each car and store the extras in a warehouse in Germany. When you order one, its pulled from inventory, sent across the pond, the chip is coded to the car and away you go.

Then I went to the dealer yesterday.

The parts dude (guy I hadn't seen before) said it costs $43 and should be there in two days.

Given that I was thinking the key was in Germany I became suspicious. Certainly thought the key would be more than that too.

I then asked if they would be able to code the key when I came in, or would I need to make a service appointment. Dude said it will come pre-coded for the vehicle.

Ok, now he really had me confused. However I quickly realized that most vehicles stay relatively stock compared to mine and that its entirely possible all ten keys were coded at the factory before storage.

Has anyone recieved a key from the dealer and had it work without coding?

[aceyx]

They're actually at a warehouse in NJ. They're coded from the factory (it's a write-only chip) to work with the EWS associated with your VIN.

The only coding necessary would be an EWS/DME alignment if you're switching lock cylinders (or engine).

My key with light cost $36 IIRC.


I assume you ordered the key based on the VIN of your stock car? Sounds like you may have to swap back chips and have your EWS/DME aligned to have two working keys.

[campaiar]

Ahh, two days from NJ makes much more sense.

Ok so I understand what your saying:
Re-install stock EWS
Re-install stock key chip
Align stock EWS to M3 ECU


So is there no way to simply program the M3 EWS to accept a new key?

Looks like I need to do some more reading.

[thesk8nmidget]

you can drive the car to the dealer and tell them you want the new key aligned with the car. they should be able to do that.

[aceyx]

Originally Posted by campaiar

So is there no way to simply program the M3 EWS to accept a new key?

Not really, you need the diagnostic computer to do it.


Right now (if I'm reading right), the S52 DME is aligned with your EWS for the M3 chip. However, you still have the ti lock cylinder.

There is no way to order a key for this. Either the chip will be wrong (ti key) or the physical key would be wrong (M3 key, if you could even get it).


Once you get the new key, have your dealer align the EWS with the DME using the new key. You'll then have to switch the ti chip back to the ti key.

If you're using the chip from the M3 now with the ti key, you shouldn't have to swap the EWS module.

I may be making this sound more complicated than it is.

[campaiar]

I am using the original ti key with the M3 chip. I knew I wasn't going to be able to order what I needed but I wanted to make sure I understood what was possible before I started asking for service.

I thought you were saying that the new key (which would be coded for the stock ti EWS) couldn't be aligned to the M3 EWS, but it sounds like it can.

I don't care which EWS module I use, but since both involve a re-align, there is no sense in taking the dash apart.

[tiFreak]

Originally Posted by aceyx

I assume you ordered the key based on the VIN of your stock car?

wouldn't it have made more sense to use the VIN of the car your engine came out of?

[Mallard]

couldnt you just remove the chip from the M3 key and mount it in the other ti key?

[thesk8nmidget]

they have to have proof of owner ship to make a key and he doesnt own the m3 it came out of.

and also i think he wants a spare.

[aceyx]

Originally Posted by campaiar

I thought you were saying that the new key (which would be coded for the stock ti EWS) couldn't be aligned to the M3 EWS, but it sounds like it can.

I think you've got it.

1. Get new key
2. Use new key to align (current, M3) EWS with DME
3. Put ti chip back in ti key
4. End up with working key & working spare

[campaiar]

Just got the call that my key is in. (Two days to Cincy.)

I didn't bring my old key chip or EWS module with me today, but I think Aceyx has the right idea. I need to have my Cruise reprogrammed for a 6-cyl too, so I may schedule service when I'm there.

Definitly had no chance of getting the M3 key, besides I needed an originial ti key since it has its originial lockset (at least I hope it does). The electronics are a bit easier to align than messing with the locksets.

At the very least, I'll be able to get into the car if I lock the keys inside. Two working keys is the goal though.

[aceyx]

No reason to take the old EWS module, just the two keys:
The old one to drive down, the new one to program.

After alignment the old one won't work until you swap the chip.
I would make it a point to label them somehow before you go down there, and make sure the service manager is clear on what you're trying to accomplish.

[campaiar]

Got the key yesterday. The car does have the originial lockset as the cut is the same... Huge relief there.

The key works all the locks will turn the ignition but no start as expected. I did get it to start with the new key by holding my working key up the the antenna when I started it.

I'll have to make an appointment to get it aligned soon so both keys are good to go.

[thesk8nmidget]

sweet! did you just buy a normal black key or was it one with the light and button?

[campaiar]

Regular black key. The key I have that's working is a lighted key with a flawless roundel button.