f430 spare red key not working?

just bought an 05 f430 and the spare red key/remote does not open the car--also turns over the starter, but wont start--the key I received in the ignition of course works. I assumed it needed batteries, but that did not help. I tried reading the owners books and the on-line workshop manual, but no procedure--at least that I can understand.....I also did a search of this site--but only found info for the 360.
I have all the codes, just don't know how to make this key work--and I'd like to avoid a big dealer charge. any help will be appreciated--thank you.

 

Just throw it away!

 

I wanted you to know I was kidding up there.:>) I think there is a thread on here somewhere about keys and fobs. Have you tried a search?

 

Joe- Take it to a Ferrari dealership and they can program the Alarm ECU to accept it. The system can accept up to 7 remotes/keys.

Telling someone to throw away a $686 (Ricambi) key and remote is really bad advice. Way worse than no advice.

Steve- Disregard, see you recanted.

 

Yes. Let's not forget we/I have one too! :>)

 

thank you all--I did try a search of th Forum--only found key program info for a 360.......
I was trying to avoid the dealer--any idea what the charge is to program the key(s)?

I did see in the manual that you need to program if you want to add keys,(up to 7) but this one is the spare and I thought should already be programed....maybe not apparently?

 

Joe- It should have been, but unless you are the first owner, which we know you are not, there is no guarantee that key came with the car. Nearly guaranteed it did not. Keys are misplaced so often at dealerships, it is amazing most of them can even get the cars started. Luckily they gave you two, so you are not out the $686 to get a new one.

I do not have time schedule for F430s, but cannot imagine it taking more than 30 minutes to reprogram. I can do an earlier Ferrari with three fobs in about ten minutes. They have to flush the entire system on your F430 and then program the ECU to accept both of your keys.

The newer system is much more reliable than the old separate key and fob system and is lithium vs alkaline battery powered.

 

FBH charged me $110 to program the spare key. The spare was purchased from them.
Your key is cut for your car but won't "talk" to the car, odd.
Easiest to go to the dealer, they are the only ones allowed to have the key software. (not saying that no one else has broken the code.)

 

Thanks Taz and Dan,
I really appreciate the help. I still can't believe I need to go to the dealer for this...in the past I have nearly always done all my own work--almost all anyway, but relatively simple stuff for sure. So seems like the spare key is either not original, or not working. I suppose also possible as you suggest, a dealer may have lost an original key in the past and reprogrammed the car to fit a new one rendering the spare inoperable.....

I guess Ferreari of Tampa Bay is my only option......thanks again!

 

It has to be done with an SD3. The keys are coded at the factory and ordered by VIN.

 

Finally went to Ferrari of Tampa Bay today to get the spare key programmed. Great service--nice people--$168.00. Took about 30minutes.

 

Glad they took care of you Joe - I've always had great experiences with them. We should have met up for lunch - I'm just 10 minutes away from them.

 

I love a happy ending, even if it did cost $168.

 

Read with interest about the ferrari spare key programming dileama. I'm in a similar spot with a slightly different problem. I have a 430 with an unprogrammed spare key also. I know from Terry Meeler at Exotic Coach in Raleigh, an excellent private shop here (Meeler has been taking care of my ferraris for 25 years) that the $1000 spare key has to go to a dealer (have succoumbed years ago that "if you are going to play, you have to pay"). But, along with the key, I have one red plastic card with a code on it. The service writer says I should have two cards, the second being a credit card with a picture of a key on it. I'm not sure he is correct. So,
question is what exactly did you take to the dealer along with your key. Thanks, Chuck Grantham

 

The keys are not programmed at the factory. They are mechanically cut but the chip in the key for the immobilizer and the fob frequency are fairly generic and you are simply teaching new frequency's to the existing module in the car.