C3 Key

J

JamesII

Member
Fellow Frogger
Joined
Apr 15, 2005
Messages
66
Location
Brisbane/Australia
I am ordering another key for my Pluriel. I am told it has to be imported from France and will take approximately three weeks. Furthermore, after paying just under $300 for it, I then have to front with the car and all the other keys to a service centre (along with the security card) and pay to have them all programmed to the car.

I understand the programming bit, but most cars can have their keys programmed by following a certain keystroke sequence. A Falcon, for example, the ignition is switched on and off a few times then the doors locked & unlocked. After this, each keypad button is pressed and the car remembers the code.

Two questions:
  1. Does anybody know if the C3 keys are user-programmable... and how?
  2. What experiences have others had with getting keys cut? Do they really need to come from France?
 
I can imagine the keys would have to come from France. Knowing Citroen it would also cost $300.
I enquired about a moduboard and was told in excess of $300.
I also enquired long back about the Citroen Picasso foldaway Shopping basket for my car and was told it might have to come from NZ and would be in excess of $400.
Anything is possible....:roflmao:
 
Do you know anyone in the UK? When I was after bits for my XM I just called a UK dealer near a friends place and paid over the phone via credit card. A friend collected the part and mailed it over for me. A key is not going to be expensive to post. A good tip is to use Citroen .pr net, that will give you the recomended price in GBP.

regards
sean
 
I ordered a new key for the Peugeot 206cc, and it had to come from France, and the it was about $140 from memory. All keys and the car had to go in to have them all reprogrammed.
To replace the battery in the key though, the mechanic said I could do it myself, and to reset key to the car code, you just put the key in the ignition, turn the ignition on and press one of the buttons on the key (not sure which one).
It would be very similar for the Cit as well, I would hazard a guess.
 
JamesII said:
I am ordering another key for my Pluriel. I am told it has to be imported from France and will take approximately three weeks. Furthermore, after paying just under $300 for it, I then have to front with the car and all the other keys to a service centre (along with the security card) and pay to have them all programmed to the car.

I understand the programming bit, but most cars can have their keys programmed by following a certain keystroke sequence. A Falcon, for example, the ignition is switched on and off a few times then the doors locked & unlocked. After this, each keypad button is pressed and the car remembers the code.

Two questions:
  1. Does anybody know if the C3 keys are user-programmable... and how?
  2. What experiences have others had with getting keys cut? Do they really need to come from France?
Click to expand...
Many late Citroen keys are four sided. Local locksmiths aren't geared up to cut the 4 sided keys. That is why you order ex France using the chassis number. They send them with the sides pre-cut I believe. The non-remote keys are cheaper.
 
Keys for XMs can be cut from a blank and do not have a built in decoder. Blanks for XMs and I suppose Xsaras and Xantias can be purchased for less than $30 from your nearest Cit dealer. A reputable and experienced locksmith can cut the blank from your orginal key for you.

The keys for later models such as C"insert digit" would be tied to the decoder and therefore have inbuilt circuitry. The dealer or servicing agent with access to the appropriate computer has to program the car's computer to recognise the key.

It may be worthwhile trying around for prices for extra keys and programming etc.
 
I got a new key for the xsara for $280, $200 for the key and $80 for programming it
 
C3 key.

Mmmm.
Must take the Citroen off my hypothetical shopping list.
$300 for a key, plus a 2week wait plus a session with the dealer to have it programmed.*
What's the automotive world coming to? What price security? Put all this along with air bags and soft front pedestrian friendly cars. God, I hope my old 504 sees me out. :mad:

*Psst. I bet the salesm,oops, person didn't point out any of the above nonsense when he took your cheque?
 
Wildebeest said:
Must take the Citroen off my hypothetical shopping list.
$300 for a key, plus a 2week wait plus a session with the dealer to have it programmed.
Click to expand...
Check that it's not the same stunt with all the others.
 
frogslegs said:
Many late Citroen keys are four sided. Local locksmiths aren't geared up to cut the 4 sided keys. That is why you order ex France using the chassis number. They send them with the sides pre-cut I believe. The non-remote keys are cheaper.
Click to expand...

I had the service key replaced on my Mk1 Xsara (back when Citroen used to give you a grey service key along with the remote and non remote spare), and I got it replaced under warranty. The key was cut locally and reprogrammed by the dealer, and it's a 4 sided key.

Troy.
 
A follow-up to this...

I just had a call from the dealer. My key is ready. It has only been a week! I've yet to collect it and see if there are any hiccups, but as far as timing goes, I am impressed.
 
immobilisers

Use of immobilisers IS widespread...in my family the Commodore has a piece of electrickery in the key that the computer must recognise..as does the Ford Laser...and the Nissan Pulsar and my son's Mazda 3

I suspect anything that displays a flashing LED to potentiol thieves has such a system...the replacement for the Laser was $ 85 and a quick visit to a specialist locksmith that took only minutes..
The biggest broblem is with the Commodore key that requires replacement when the internal battery dies...about $ 85 at your local GM dealer..
So Citroen are not alone..except maybe in the over the top pricing.
 
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