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Lost Key Fob??

Discussion in '348/355' started by hello 355, Dec 5, 2009.

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  1. hello 355

    hello 355 Rookie

    Dec 5, 2009
    3
    #1 hello 355, Dec 5, 2009
    Hello all, I have a 97 F355. I have a problem, trying to find out how much of a problem. I do not have any of the key fobs for my car. I have been searching on here, I noticed some talk about a PIN card or something. That I do not have either. I do have my key, just not the fob. I recently got the car, but I think the fob is now gone. I have tried harder than ever to find it for a week. I think I have now given up on that idea and looking for options.

    Obviously anything that goes through the dealer is going to be large $$$$$. So what other options do I have, or is this something that one way or another will have to eventually go through the dealer? I saw the set of fobs (1 red, 2 black) for approximately $500 from Daniel at Ricambi. If I buy these, are they useless to me? Will I need new ECU? Will I need a whole new car?

    How much trouble am I actually in, and what is it likely going to cost. I have already checked ebay, currently no fobs there.

    I am assuming there is no bypass what-so-ever. Help Please??
     
  2. deon.smith

    deon.smith Formula Junior

    Jan 23, 2009
    548
    Oklahoma
    #2 deon.smith, Dec 5, 2009
    If you can find a used key fob and the two immobilizer electronic units paired with it you will be in good shape otherwise it will be around $4k from the dealer.
     
  3. haith

    haith Rookie

    Jun 7, 2008
    47
    North Lincs, UK
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #3 haith, Dec 5, 2009
    Hello and welcome!

    Without any keyfobs I'm afraid you have a slight problem! The only route you can take is to contact your local main dealer and go through a process of providing proof of ownership of the car (this would be your V5 registration document in the UK but I'm guessing you guys have something similar in the US?) and several forms of identification. Your main dealer should then be able to provide you with a brand new set of remotes (a new red master remote and two black remotes). The remote kit comes with a new PIN number for the new remotes but you will also need to ask your dealer to obtain the existing PIN number for your car. Without the exisitng PIN number you will not be able to go through the programming process required to pair your new remote set to your car.

    Hope this helps. You can either pay your main delaer to program your new remotes to your car (they may take a few weeks to arrive from the factory in Italy) or I'm happy to provide you with instructions on how to do this once you have everything you require.

    Hope this helps.
     
    Catanha likes this.
  4. haith

    haith Rookie

    Jun 7, 2008
    47
    North Lincs, UK
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #4 haith, Dec 5, 2009
    No need to spend $4K on new alarm ECUs. Many people believe this is necessary, but I can assure you it isn't!

    A new remote kit plus associated charges for providing the old PIN number from the factory database shouldn't cost anymore than circa $1K maximum (at least based on my experience here in the UK).
     
    Catanha likes this.
  5. saw1998

    saw1998 F1 Veteran

    Jun 8, 2008
    8,237
    San Antonio, Texas
    Full Name:
    Scott
    #5 saw1998, Dec 5, 2009
    Great posts, Jon. :)
     
  6. hello 355

    hello 355 Rookie

    Dec 5, 2009
    3
    #6 hello 355, Dec 5, 2009
    Thank you very much Jon for the insight and offering to help. So if I was to find a wrecker perhaps that has a set of key fobs, at least 1 black and 1 red I would be ok? OR is it that I would need 1 red, 1 black, and they must have the correct PIN for those remotes?

    I mentioned earlier that I saw Ricambi has a set for $537
    http://www.ricambiamerica.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=&products_id=263898
    1)So I am assuming if I bought these new ones, they would come with the PIN?
    2)Then I would need to contact my dealer to find out the old PIN? (is this an attempt to find out, or would they actually have the PIN)
    3)Then I would need the Fob's programmed, either by the dealer or using the instructions here

    Am I on the right track here?
     
  7. UConn Husky

    UConn Husky F1 Rookie

    Nov 11, 2006
    4,425
    CT
    Full Name:
    Jay
    #7 UConn Husky, Dec 5, 2009
    First, congrats on buying the 355! You should post up some pics, always nice seeing photos of new owners with their 355.

    When you bought the car, did they give you at least one black remote? Many of us here (me included) only have the one black remote but luckily I at least have the PIN code too.

    There are a few ways to approach this, but I thought FNA had 'reduced' the price on a paired alarm ECU and key fob set so it's nowhere near $4k.

    I'd be happy to buy the 3 key set from Ricambi if that's all that's needed and they can be paired to the existing alarm ECU.
     
  8. hello 355

    hello 355 Rookie

    Dec 5, 2009
    3
    #8 hello 355, Dec 5, 2009
    Thank you very much. I will post some up soon, car still needs a little bit of work to be done.

    I had one black remote, which is no longer to be found. I am afraid it may have been thrown out during a recent clean up. Although I hope not. It was separated from the key, still have my fingers crossed.

    I do not have the PIN though. I was a little at ease after seeing the set at ricambi. Now my worry is getting the PIN for the car. What if Ferrari can't provide me with this.

    Also, I can research this, but if someone may know off the top of their head. Is it necessary to have both the Red and Black fob (in my situation)? I'm asking, incase I am able to locate a black fob which may or may not have a PIN.
     
  9. haith

    haith Rookie

    Jun 7, 2008
    47
    North Lincs, UK
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #9 haith, Dec 6, 2009
    Thanks for your kind words Scott.
     
  10. haith

    haith Rookie

    Jun 7, 2008
    47
    North Lincs, UK
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #10 haith, Dec 6, 2009
    No problem - glad to help.

    To answer your first question - If you find second hand fobs then you will still need the current PIN code for you car for your existing remote set in order to pair them to the car. The other option is that if you could find a second hand ECU and remote set that are from a single car, this would be usable. However you wouldn't of course have the PIN number for this system in case of future issues!

    The Ricambi set is what you require, but you have understood correctly that you would need the exisitng PIN number for your car (which you would need to obtain direct from Ferrari). I believe the factory keep a record of the PIN numbers for every car but in the event that someone has already changed the remote set in the past (and Ferrari haven't updated their records), or for some reason don't have the PIN number for your car, you would need to purchase a complete ECU and remote pack which would be much more costly.

    Your points 1, 2 and 3 (above) are all correct. The remote set comes with a new PIN, your dealer would need to request the old PIN from the factory (after checking all your documents). Without this old (or exisitng) PIN the new remotes cannot be programmed.
     
  11. haith

    haith Rookie

    Jun 7, 2008
    47
    North Lincs, UK
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #11 haith, Dec 6, 2009
    It is not possible to pair a black remote (from another car) to your vehicle without the correct red "master" remote and your exisitng PIN number. In effect each PIN number is directly related to a specific red master remote. The red remote AND its corresponding PIN together allow you to program black remotes into the alarm / immobiliser system. Hence if you don't have both it isn't possible.
     

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