Remote Keyfobs

[d215yq]

Hi all, bought a e220 coupe w124 1996 with remote locking/de immobilising (with the green and red LEDs on the drivers door sensor.

Firstly, there is only one key - and a dealer asked 117+ VAT for a new one - if i just get the key cut for a fiver is there a way of then deactivating the immobiliser without the remote if it breaks/is lost (my last car had a way to do this).

Is there somewhere slightly "less reputable" than a dealer that can supply a keyfob do this for a lot less?

Secondly, whenever the car is unlocked, there is only 2 minutes before the immobiliser kicks in. As its a coupe im unaware of a sensor to aim at from inside the car and have found the only way to deactivate the immobilise is to get out and lock and unlock the car - a minor inconvenience I know but i presume there is a way of deimmobilising from inside the car?

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
The passive arming you are talking is required as the alarm fitted to your vehicle is apparently Thatcham approved. Though showing it to your rear view mirror inside the car should operate the locking/unlocking, though if you just turn off ignition to accessories this should prevent it passive arming the immobiliser.
£117 actually is,nt too bad when you consider other cars can be well over £200.
There has been some speculation that this type of key could be reprogrammed as long as you have an existing working fob and key, but this has not been verified. Also try another dealer as some dealers seem to charge more for keys than others as mine (same as yours) was less than £80
The Immobiliser can be shorted out but may make your insurance invalid as the premiums are calculated according to the factory fit alarm system fitted.
Hope this has been of some help.

 

[d215yq]

Cheers again,

I'll phone around the different dealers in my area.

Is it a DIY easy job to short the immobiliser out as, on a £2k car I'm not too bothered about the insurance and it would be quite nice to have the piece of knowing that I can always start the car even if the system plays up or i lose/damage my key?

Thanks,

Ben