Car Keyfob programming

[prepman]

Never really been concerned with creating keys, but an elderly acquaintance has been sold a car (Kia Sportage) with only one key. (long story)
Stealership is quoting £300 for a 2nd one and requires the vehicle.
I have Forscan ODBII software, which is primarily designed for Fords which has a key programming function, Having never used it I'm reluctant to try it and risk bricking the good key.
I'm pretty certain there are peeps here who have done it? He's managed to get a key cut by Timpsons, but that is an emergency key without remote. (£79)

 

[Hood]

Not used a scanner but did have a key cut/programmed by a local guy when I bought the van. He just came to my workshop and had the job done in 15 mins. It is not a remote control key but it does disable the immobiliser and start the van, I didn't pay as the dealer I bought the van from did but I think it was just about £50 all in.

Often there is a routine to do on cars to programme a spare key, turning ignition on/off, opening windows and doors etc in a specific order, might be worth doing a google of the specific make/model/year to see. I did that on a Toyota Celica that the boss had.

 

[winchman]

Local place cut me a fully functioning Skoda key £95, I believe prices range from £50 to £400 depending on vehicle

 

[prepman]

Not used a scanner but did have a key cut/programmed by a local guy when I bought the van. He just came to my workshop and had the job done in 15 mins. It is not a remote control key but it does disable the immobiliser and start the van, I didn't pay as the dealer I bought the van from did but I think it was just about £50 all in.

Often there is a routine to do on cars to programme a spare key, turning ignition on/off, opening windows and doors etc in a specific order, might be worth doing a google of the specific make/model/year to see. I did that on a Toyota Celica that the boss had.

Yes I read that somewhere about a sequence, and a warning that all keys have to be reprogrammed together as it wipes them. There's no way back I believe? The coding is stored in GEM PAT?

 

[Hood]

Yes I read that somewhere about a sequence, and a warning that all keys have to be reprogrammed together as it wipes them. There's no way back I believe? The coding is stored in GEM PAT?

That certainly wasn't the case for the Celica, you needed a working key to be able to do things but it never wiped that key. I think there is a routine to programme my bike keys as well but again don't think it wipes the other key.

 

[Hood]

Just looked at the manual for my bike, you need a working key to initiate the registration process and once entered it tells you to put in the new key . It specifically says to make sure it is not the original one so looks like it would wipe that if you did but won't wipe it if you use the new key.

 

[Domdom]

What year is the KIA? Does it have keyless entry and/or keyless start?

Quite a lot changed from around 2014. Many manufacturers moved to a module which can only accept 3 keys and then the module has to be replaced.

Again, in 2019 ish they moved to UWB keys for some cars to try and prevent relay theft. Some have gone further and put motion sensors in the keys so they stop transmitting when they aren’t moving.

If the KIA has none of the above malarkey you should be able to get a local guy out to do it. If it does have any of those features I would see £300 as a sensible price to mitigate the risks. That’s from someone who works with IT and electronics for a living, and who managed to brick a Range Rover

 

[mike 109444]

Woth a look on YT for that make and model year as there is usually someone on there that has done it and will show procedure.

 

[Robotstar5]

Look for a mobile locksmith, they normally turn up in a van with all the kit to cut and programme new keys. Also worth considering getting any missing keys deleted.

 

[m_c]

ForScan won't do much on a Kia.

As has been said, what you want is an automotive locksmith.

 

[indy4x]

Yes I read that somewhere about a sequence, and a warning that all keys have to be reprogrammed together as it wipes them. There's no way back I believe? The coding is stored in GEM PAT?

This is true for some vehicles but not all

I have coded new keys for a few vehicles

Disco 3 I used the Gap IID tool, this is a LR specific diagnostic tool

Freelander 2, the Gap tool couldn't do key coding for the FL2 so bit of Internet searching pointed me to Autel diagnostic kit. Autel OBD adapter was about £30, links to an app on your phone and replacement key fobs we're about £40 off eBay



My current Jeep Grand Cherokee only came with 1 key. There is an app called JScan which is Jeep specific, was £20 for a 1 vehicle licence plus a generic Bluetooth OBD interface and I can now code keys to the Jeep

All of the above were diagnostics for the vehicles so not just programming keys but could do fault codes, module scans, live data etc. JScan even does stuff like updating the computers if you have changed your diff ratios so speedo etc are correct for the new gearing



My 1st port of call would be an automotive locksmith, see what they charge unless you can find vehicle specific information on the Internet

 

[prepman]

What year is the KIA? Does it have keyless entry and/or keyless start?

Quite a lot changed from around 2014. Many manufacturers moved to a module which can only accept 3 keys and then the module has to be replaced.

Again, in 2019 ish they moved to UWB keys for some cars to try and prevent relay theft. Some have gone further and put motion sensors in the keys so they stop transmitting when they aren’t moving.

If the KIA has none of the above malarkey you should be able to get a local guy out to do it. If it does have any of those features I would see £300 as a sensible price to mitigate the risks. That’s from someone who works with IT and electronics for a living, and who managed to brick a Range Rover

The Kia is 2021 reg Mild Hybrid Sportage.

 

[Domdom]

Oh, at that age I would take it to the dealer. Modern Keys are a lot more complex than something 15 years old. Ultra wide band keys especially, which this could potentially be. They can actually time how long it takes the signal to reach the car and thus know if it is a relay box attack. Would you really want a 3rd party clone key on such a new car?
The dealer should be able to supply the correct key from the VIN.

 

[Wozzaaah]

Get a mobile locksmith to sort it, attempting it yourself could end in disaster.
I had a key done for my Peugeot earlier this year by a local locksmith, it cost me £50 plus the key. To program mine he had to erase all the keys then reprogram them and said that if it goes wrong it's difficult to sort.

 

[Smallfry]

Can you claim for a "lost" key on your insurance ? Lots of policies have key cover. Not sure if it affects the NCD though. Worth checking.

I can do Vauxhall up to 2014 with OpCom, but not later. I fear it will be a main dealer job TBH.

SWMBO put her Jimny keys through the washing machine, which now doesn't work . Again about £300, but she is fed up with using the physical key.

 

[premmington]

Gscan is dealer spec for Kia and will match key plips.