Potential Key Disaster!

[MilesS835]

So I bought my '98 Diablo red V6 estate about six months ago now and it's been great! hopefully soon it'll be getting some well deserved "sprucing up"
Anyway, The car has 120k miles on it now which is most visible on the key. It came with one key, the central locking button has electrical tape around it as the rubber has perished but it does still work. the key part it self is very worn and actually bent slightly.
About a month ago I took the battery out to get my homemade car started and thank F*CK I didn't properly shut the bonnet! because the key does not work in any of the doors!!
I've tried soaking them in WD-40 etc. but I think the key is just too worn for the locks to accept it. Fortunately the bonnet was only on the latch like I said as I was able to reinstall the battery and get the car unlocked.
I do have the key code, and would like to get another key made up just in case.
I'm assuming the dealer will be very expensive?

[frog]

You don't have a spare key?

I have in total three keys. Two have blades that work excellent, on all doors. One will only open one door and only lock the other.

I guess it is then the key blade that has worn. Make sure that it is very clean and has no dirt or debris on it. If that is the case, it is probably just worn.

I think the dealer will be the only place to obtain a new key blade. Maybe a skilled locksmith can copy your blade thereby "correcting" the worn parts.

[MilesS835]

No I don't have a spare
It's visibly worn and to be honest I'm surprised it works in the ignition!
I need a new key cut from the key code and not just copying my current key as it would only be replicating a worn key.
So I guess dealer it is for that
Has anyone had this done? how much roughly?

[frog]

I think a skilled locksmith can in fact create a "good" key from a worn. The locksmith will not simply copy the worn key, but they will setup their milling machine to reproduce the original (new) key. As https://www.galmierlocksmiths.com.au/bl ... d-ignition says:

"So by now, you hopefully understand how copying a worn key doesn’t truly result in a “new” key. So what can a locksmith do to help you?

Just as we help those stuck in a bind without a car key, we can create and duplicate a truly brand new car key from scratch. "

So I would say: ask first. You can always fall back to a dealer/factory key if that fails.

[MilesS835]

Rather worryingly, I took the lock out of the glove box and put the key in, the pins are completely wrong
So I guess the key isn't worn, but rather the wrong key altogether! it works in the ignition and that's it, ignition must've been replaced at some point...god knows why

[frog]

Ah! That would explain. And of course you never received the other key(s), for the doors... Should have been given to you by the seller.

[GingerMagic]

You can always pick up a complete lock set from a similar aged 406, I believe all the locks are the same across the whole range except the boot locks, as they are model dependent.

You'll need to double check the year of the donor part is suitable for your car

Ignition barrel, door locks, petrol cap, glove box lock, airbag switch - plus the key, would get you the full set working on just one key, you can transplant your current keys internal circuit board and transport chip into the replacement key fob.

However, if you don't mind having 2 separate keys for the doors and ignition then you won't need to replace the ignition barrel - just the rest.

[MilesS835]

Ah! That would explain. And of course you never received the other key(s), for the doors... Should have been given to you by the seller.

Yeah would've been good if he did! Said he had the car for 4 years without any issues.
I think I'll look for a replacement lock set altogether. There's a "pull your own parts" scrappy in Cheltenham, last time I checked there was a d8 estate...

[MilesS835]

You can always pick up a complete lock set from a similar aged 406, I believe all the locks are the same across the whole range except the boot locks, as they are model dependent.

You'll need to double check the year of the donor part is suitable for your car

Ignition barrel, door locks, petrol cap, glove box lock, airbag switch - plus the key, would get you the full set working on just one key, you can transplant your current keys internal circuit board and transport chip into the replacement key fob.

However, if you don't mind having 2 separate keys for the doors and ignition then you won't need to replace the ignition barrel - just the rest.

Yeah, two keys wouldn't bother me for a while, as long as I have the ability to open a single door with either a flat battery or dead fob it'll be alright. I don't trust electronics enough even though they are supposed to be better than good old-fashioned mechanical stuff!