micared

Other half phoned at approx 6 p.m. this evening to tell me she's managed to lose the keys to her Mitsubishi Galant. This problem is compounded by the fact that this is the second set, and she hasn't seen fit to do anything about the fact that the first set were lost over a year ago. Anyone been in the same position and overcome the problem relatively easily? If I don't seem especially sympathetic/concerned for her current carless plight, that's because I'm not! She is a serial car keys/mobile phone/handbag misplacer, and I've been in the frame to pick up the pieces once too many times now to be impressed. However, it'll have to be dealt with at some stage, if only to sell it and buy something that deserves the neglect and carelessness she appears to want to bestow on it. All the remotes and immobiliser keys are also now gone, so we've nothing to tune in the new ones with now. Anyone else been here, and if so, did the dealer manage to sort it out without handing out a financial spanking?

Shark Man

Is that a factory immobilser and remote?
If so that's going to be costly

I haven't a clue what Mitsi dealers are like in this kind of case..but with other cars it's usually one of the following 3 ways:

Get the dealer to sort it, get their diagnostic doobrey plugged in and program some new remotes...bending you over the bonnet with your trousers down. Then getting new keys cut from key/serial numbers on file/ in service history at the same time (not so pricey)

Find an independent sepcialist that can supply and program remotes for a much nicer price (although very doubtful you'd find one that can do mitusbishi's). Although they won't be able to supply keys to match your locks, so you'll need a new lock set (pricey).

Go a hunting through the scraps yards and find an exact model and year car with the keys and remotes. Take the locks, keys, remotes, engine ECU and immobiliser/alarm ECU.

Or a combination of all 3 (i.e 2nd hand lock sets, and reprogram keys to work via an independent specialist).

To prevent any future reoccurance:

Buy huge heavy rock...drill hole attach large chain. Paint bright luminous yellow or orange, and attach to keys. Weld chain links to prevent removal of keys from rock

micared

Yeah, got a nasty feeling I'm gonna be taking it up the chuff at the dealers in a couple of days....still, if it stops Claire from griefing me out every time I buy a part for the Scoob, it'll almost be worth it. Got a test drive booked in the demo MR340 on Saturday, if I can convince them I'm serious, it might make them a bit friendlier.

Brit_in_Japan

I don't know what Mitsi's policy is. I remember Alfa Romeo used to give you three keys, two ordinary and THE RED ONE. And they warned that whatever you do, never lose the red one because they need that to program a new key should you ever lose one of the other two. If you lose the red one, you needed a new ECU, and that was expensive.

If Mitsi are the same as Alfa Romeo then try Shark Man's oprion 3 above first, it may save you a wedge.

brybusa

Maybe these guys can help.....

http://www.alarmremotes.co.uk/

micared

Thanks for the replies lads, things may not be all bad, turns out we have one remaining key which Mitsi can copy, and the 'factory' alarm is a cobra. The dealer has an alarm specialist who we are now waiting to give us a call, and it appears that there are other options, should he be unable to help.