giwrgos_ath Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 Hi all, We recently purchased a MK7 fiesta as a second car for the missus, that unfortunately came with just one key from a private seller. I'm aware that's quite common, but being a bit obsessed about security, i'm thinking of replacing the locks. I can probably source the parts from a breaker and fit them myself in hope the overall cost would be slightly higher than buying a second key (with fob) and getting it cut. I'm just wondering if i really need to source the ECU or could do without it. I've seen some sellers giving you the speedo and ECU together with the lock barrels, but my (limited) experience tells me that shouldn't be required, unless it's something to do with the immobilizer. I was thinking i need the following: Ignition barrel Driver's door barrel (without the mechanism) Delete any existing fobs and reprogram the new ones (Is this possible using ELM?) Are those correct? Did i forget anything? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ticktock Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 It seems an awful lot of messing around, I'd be tempted to get a 2nd key cut & programmed and buy a steering wheel lock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giwrgos_ath Posted August 16, 2017 Author Share Posted August 16, 2017 Unless i need to replace the ECU (and speedo that usually goes with it) it shouldn't be a massive job and can certainly deal with it. Won't be a 5-mins job, but certainly beats carrying an ugly steering wheel lock around. Has anyone attempted this and can comment on the required parts? If not, i'd probably buy them and see if they fit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJNewton Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 You won't need to replace the ECU but you will need to program in the new key(s) given the RFID immobiliser. I have no idea how you do this - Forscan may well be able to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giwrgos_ath Posted September 13, 2017 Author Share Posted September 13, 2017 So i managed to get hold of a set of locks and keys from a breaker and have sucessfully switched them over. They are hard to come across as most breakers prefer to sell them as a set with the ECU. It wasn't very hard and thanks to another forum member's suggestion i only replaced the cylinders leaving the steering lock assembly and immobiliser untouched. For now i had to keep the old immobiliser chip and will pair the second one using Forscan. Overall it took me around 15 minutes to replace the two cylinders, and another 15 minutes to swap the immobiliser chip on one key because the old one was glued in place. p.s. I was debating with myself in creating a guide, but it's related to car security and that's a public forum... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJNewton Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 As interesting as any guide is I can't imagine there's much demand for this kind of modification! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giwrgos_ath Posted September 13, 2017 Author Share Posted September 13, 2017 3 minutes ago, MJNewton said: As interesting as any guide is I can't imagine there's much demand for this kind of modification! To be honest i'm surprised it's not. The reason i desparately wanted to change them, was the fact i got the car privately with just one key and the seller has you home address from part 6 of the V5C. Buying a second-hand car is always a risk as the seller might keep the second (or third) key on purpose. If you replace all the locks, you eliminate that possibility. If you're super paranoid, you can send the new locks on a different address or buy them direct from the breaker so they don't have your address either :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJNewton Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 It might well be a risk, but the probability of it happening must surely be close to zero. This supposition is, admittedly, based on me never hearing of such a case - not least with a Fiesta! :-) Have you always changed your locks on cars you've bought in the past? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giwrgos_ath Posted September 13, 2017 Author Share Posted September 13, 2017 I haven't owned that many used cars and i didn't do it on the last one i had, but it was only £500 so it wasn't worth it. I have however been changing locks on every house i've moved to (after the appropriate notice where necessary). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJNewton Posted September 14, 2017 Share Posted September 14, 2017 Yes, fairly common on houses but it's the first time I've heard it being done on a car (for the specific reason of mitigating the risk of the previous owner stealing it). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isetta Posted September 14, 2017 Share Posted September 14, 2017 if the previous owner wanted to come and steal the car he sold you he could have had a third key made before he sold the car to you with two keys. So would you have changed the locks if he had given you two keys? I am not criticising you for doing it, it's your choice. (I wouldn't have done it if they just gave me one key) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giwrgos_ath Posted September 14, 2017 Author Share Posted September 14, 2017 That depends on the value of the car, the likelihood of getting stolen, the cost on my premium and the difficulty of changing locks. I've read quite a few posts about fiestas getting stolen (mainly ST tho) which means they are quite popular amongst thieves as well as customers, so I wouldn't be surprised if that's actually happening. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to convince anyone to start changing locks, all I'm saying is it's much easier and cheaper than most people think and doesn't require loads of tools or skills. The average car enthusiast can find his way round this for around £40-50 (depending on breakers prices) Also, in the event your locks get damaged, the process is the same and saves you an expensive visit to the stealership. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenBowns Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 I always prefer lock and ignition replacement through locksmith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbyvrs Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 Another option would have been to have a 2nd key cut for a spare and fit an aftermarket alarm/ immobiliser 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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