Flip Key Question

[Thomas1]

I've just bought a new flip-out key off eBay, and emailed the local dealer for a price on fitting a new blade cut for my wife's Signum and reprogramming it. Their reply was that as the blade I have isn't blank, the whole unit is worthless as you can't replace just the blade, hence they'd charge £50 for a new fob/blade and £35 for the reprogramming. Are they right that you can't fit a new blade or am I being lead up the garden path (to the shed where the dealer mugs you and takes your wallet... lol).

I suspect the latter.

[Mrs GSi]

Do not know about changing the blade, but they are leading you up the garden path about the price of the new/blade, we have just had two new ones and it cost as £78 including VAT, (not including programming).

I do know that you can change the blades on old style keys.

[vectragsi3.2]

i was told there is a pin that you pull out in the silver button at the the top and the key comes out hth

[Thomas1]

i was told there is a pin that you pull out in the silver button at the the top and the key comes out hth

There's definately a pin in there, which is why I didn't believe the stealer, and worset come to worst, I think the blade and the chrome "base" that pivots when you flip it open could be replaced....just hoping someone actually offers that service.

[deanos]

I was told by the dealer you couldnt change the blades

[benny]

you can change the blade in the key ..but you cannot buy blank blades and local key dealers cannot obtain them .you can only buy a key from vx cut to the car .....the key you have got from ebay is wothless unless you have a flip key already and can just change the blade...did the seller say you could change the blade at a dealer ?

[Gsi3.2]

and they are ripping you off with the programming.. it takes under 5 mins to add another key.....try asking a technician to do it in his lunchbreak for a tenner..

[Thomas1]

Problem solved... found a locksmith in Norff London who do replacement blades for £23 including cutting.

[Stevie-B]

Problem solved... found a locksmith in Norff London who do replacement blades for £23 including cutting.

Was going to add, there are 'locksmiths' out there who can re-blade and re-program key's yet for the cost of going to a dealer and telling them that VX charge £35 + V.A.T and £11 for programming (See Duncan's thread on this!!!) they soon whittled down especially as I asked the head salesman for the latest Insignia information leaflet.....

[dan9895]

click here

here is a link to buy the blade i did this and had vx program it in for a tenner cost me another tenner to have my local key cutter cut the blade so it is possible typical vaux stealers trying to rip us off again!!

i think they make enough money out of us anyway

hope this helps