This is my partner's ford fiesta T reg (1999)-currently sitting at an Asda petrol station...about 5 miles away

He has the two key system of chip programming - he has two keys with the red flash on top of the plastic part - the metal part of the key (Stem?) is spinning in the plastic body - this is true for both keys (frozen locks last winter and no patience)

Neither key will start the ignition - they are spinning in the lock - one will get to where the battery light flashes up (II I think) but can't seem to start the ignition...takes a few attempts to get there though...

Went to ford dealership and got a new key but need to programme it... the new key will fit in the lock and easily gets it to the point where the immoboliser light flashes...but it is catching as I try and pull it out...

I can't swap the keys around fast enough to reprogramme the key...

My main priority is to get it home - just need to get it started - so any suggestions? Is there a way of holding a programmed key next to the new key to trick it?

Or can you take the old keys apart and then maybe I can fix the metal stem inside someway?

Read about removing the chip from one of the keys to put it in the new key but how tricky is it? Has anyone done it successfully -frightened I'll break the chip and then will never be able to programme a new key!

I realise longer term I will need to build up a new ignition barrel (I did that for my old Escort) ....but can't really do that on the forecourt of Asda...

Any help appreciated ....

Iwould have thought that if you were to hold the old key against the new one it should be close enough for the imobiliser to get the signal from it whilst turning the new key in the ignition. Unless the new key is sending out another signal that is stronger.

Cant you get a pair if pliers on the old key and try turning it with that?

Iwould have thought that if you were to hold the old key against the new one it should be close enough for the imobiliser to get the signal from it whilst turning the new key in the ignition. Unless the new key is sending out another signal that is stronger.

Cant you get a pair if pliers on the old key and try turning it with that?

Thanks...

Thought of pliers but all the metal shank goes into the lock -almost flush with the plastic bit - so I can't get hold of the metal bit alone....

Going to go tomorrow and try and rescue it ...my plan of action so far is to

Put super glue around where the shank goes into the plastic on both old keys (only has to hold for one turn!)

But first try holding the old key next to the new one...

If that doesn't work try to reprogramme the new key (fingers crossed for the superglue)

If still no joy bite the bullet, come home and break up one of the old keys and try and put that chip into the new key (kind of getting to the nothing to lose point!)

Actually after talking to my dad about it - the battery is ancient (original one) - and although it does need a new key (desperately) we have managed to get the battery light to come on once or twice but no turning over - maybe the battery has chosen to die at this point and the fact the keys are knackered too is just a coincidence...(clutching at straws here) - so will put the headlights on and try and start it and see if they dim... then maybe a jump start followed by a trip to my local autosave...

What would be really helpful if someone knows what these red chipped keys look like inside? Could I pull the shanks out and fill the hole with superglue/araldite before replacing them (better than just around the outside)? Or some other mod (I have my dremel waiting!) to stop the shank turning? A picture of the inside would be fantastic....

Hi Just an update...

Tried everything - became convinced it was the immobiliser had been activated - so called out the AA.

Really nice man! He tried holding the old key next to the new key, playing with battery and something with a wire form the starter to the battery -but in the end gave up and we had to get it towed it to Ford.

Now waiting for it be reset on Monday - when no doubt we will get a huge bill...

Hopefully partner has learned a lesson about keep using something that is knackered (New key less than £30 - now we have had a new key plus the cost of the reset!) but I doubt it ...

(I knew he had lost his wheel nut wrench - found out today he has also lost his towing eye -another headache for the nice AA man!)