KEY FOB/REMOTE SOLUTION FOR 355 GUYS

285ferrari, thank you for the ground work. I will be contacting Eric shortly. Only got the black remote with my 355. Thanks again!

 

Awesome!!!! I have one good black fob and just bought a black and red one ............... so what you are saying is he can transfer the EEPROM info from my one good black one to my newly aquired black and red fobs??? Will the red one still be a master??

I wonder what the actual firmware difference is between the red and the black fobs?? Besides the color and the master/slave names .

 

Yes it can be done. The red remote will become a clone of the black one ... with a red case

I must admit that I have never opened a red remote but I suspect that the processor and firmware are the same than the black ones, and that only some extra data are added in EEPROM content. Need to be verified though ...

 

So softeware may be the only difference then?....... Well you are doing a great thing..... . My fobs may be on their way across the Atlantic in the near future.... !!

 

Great work Robbie and Eric...I just hope Eric is ready for the onslaught of remotes from the states!

I have one question - what exactly is the risk in this operation? I too only have one black and would be screwed into buying a new alarm without it...what are the odds it might get ruined in the process?

Damn, there go the ebay keyfob prices now

 

The only risk would be to damage the content of the original EEPROM. In such an extreme case, there would be no solution to reconstruct an operative remote.
I kept my initial process which is to unsolder the EEPROMs. I have done 5 remotes now (3 for me and 2 for Robbie!) and I use to solder/unsolder on other circuits. Never had a problem. The EEPROM reader/programmer is safe. So, once the original EEPROM is removed and dumped in a file on the PC, there is no more risk at all. Better, with this file, it is possible to clone a new one even if you loose or destroy ALL the remotes you have in hand. I provide the content of the original remote at the time of cloning.

 

Sounds great to me! ok I'm going to try collecting a couple remotes and may get them to you this spring. Great work!

 

Have you read a 'red' EEPROM yet eric??

 

I had mine that the Immobilizer wont work..Can you retrieve the codes of the fobs...I have the red and two blacks..

 

Great news, but why would it require more than one push of the button, just curious?

(I have two red and two black, so I am good)

 

+1 ......... anything more than 'one tap' and you are playing with it .

 

Not yet as I said ... but I would enjoy to read yours

 

Easy to understand ...
Each time you press your remote it sends a different code to the alarm ECU (rolling code). Clones are exactly the same remotes AT THE TIME OF CLONING. If you use one of the remotes for some times, it will have sent several different codes to the car. When you swap to the clone, you will repeat the same codes which will be rejected by the alarm ECU because it has already received it. The clone will be inoperative UNTIL it sends NEW codes.

 

I suspect that the PIN code is included in the EEPROM content of the red remote ... unfortunately I have never had in hand a red remote to confirm this hypothesis.
If the red remote you have is really the one associated with the car it should work except if the radio-frequency part has failed.
PM me if you want I check your red remote and read its EEPROM content.

 

Just a point of reference for all needing remotes. I received 1 black with my new to me 355 spider. My local Ferrari dealer quoted $495 for 1 new red and 2 new blacks. Estimates $130 to program all including my old black.
Not nearly as expensive as I was led to believe!

 

Do a search on key fobs here. You'll see other threads on this. One dealer quoted me $750.00 the other $450.00.
The $450 quote told me they would give me a programming guide so I could DIY and would also talk me through it if I needed help.

Currently I have both a red and black fob and the 4 digit pin code. From what I understand I should be able to reprogram with the new set and add in my current black fob in the process.

 

Thanks. I have done extensive research on this site. I am not aware of anyone that actually programmed their own remotes as of yet using the dealer SOP's. Do you have the dealer supplied programing guide? Would like to see what is involved. Be a great winter project here in snowy N.E.!

 

I'm one of these people who takes far too long to make up his mind. Therefore I have not ordered the key fob set and gotten the instruction sheet. I have seen a detailed guide to do this written up elsewhere ( I don't think it was on this forum?). Getting the Alarm ECU in Learn mode involves using the key with the PIN code. The first part is similar to the procedure in your manual that tells you how to start the car without a fob and just the key. Once in the learn mode you first sync the red fob, then the subsequent black fobs. Now whether or not a 3rd black fob can be programmed in, I'm not sure. Thought about just purchasing another black fob off ebay and trying it but I've been too chicken! Since I have a red and black fob, the PIN code and 2 new keys besides the original I really don't have too much to gain.

I'll look again and If I find it I'll PM you.

Steve

 

Thanks Steve. Sounds like you are all set! I, on the other hand, only have 1 key and remote(black). That fails, or lost, I am up the creek without a paddle!
The ebay remotes generally appear to sell for $90~$100 each. The savings does not appear to warrant the risk of getting a bad remote, close to failure remote etc.
Correct me if I am wrong but the Ferrari cost does not appear all that excessive. I would expect BMW, Mercedes etc to charge a similar fee to program and provide multiple remotes!

 

This is what I have:

no PIN code

one black fob = works with my 355

one red fob = bought on ebay

one more black fob = bought on ebay

I am thinking as someone mentioned above, the red fob may have the pin code programmed on the EEPROM. If that is indeed the case, then my 'red' fob does not have "my 355's" PIN on it.

 

Goth:

Unless you have the 4 digit PIN code that came with the car, your #@!*ed. That number and only that number will allow you to access the learning mode of the ECU in your car. The 4 Digit code needs to be "Keyed in" with the key through the igition switch. There are some additional steps or "keying" that needs to be done. During this your red dash LED blinks in a certain pattern to let you know of the ECU status. The red fob can then be depressed while the car ECU is in the learning mode. After the red fob, then subsequent black fobs are pressed. Afterwards the ECU is taken out of learning mode and you're done.

The red fob basically tells the ECU that the subsequent black fobs are valid. Think of it as a 2 key security system The 4 digit PIN gets you in the outside door, the red fob opens the inside door.

What I haven't been able to determine is if more that 2 black fobs can be programmed to a cars ECU. I'm suspecting not as they are sold as a set of 1 red and 2 black. I'm lucky in the fact I have both 1 red and 1 black fob and the 4 digit PIN card. Just nervous to get another fob and try it for fear of #@!*ing it up myself!

 

pyroguy, thank you!

I believe more than 2 black remotes can be programmed to the ECU. My Ferrari dealer told me they would program the new red and 2 new blacks as well as my existing black remote. I would then have 1 red and 3 black remotes. From famine to feast!
I do have my 4 digit PIN code as well.

 

.....makes sense, I will try to look for that PIN card again......

My only real reservation about cloning, is maybe having to push the button several times 'every time' with ALL fobs after cloning. As of now with my one good nero fob, once push works every time.