How important is it to have the red keyfob when you buy a used car? Should this be a deal breaker? Could it be a security issue if you don't get it and only get the 2 black ones? thanks.
IMO not a deal breaker if you have the security system PIN code. The Red fob has the PIN encoded and is used to programme a new full set of fobs to the alarm ECU. You can also do this with the 4 digit pin code and the ignition key. Without the Red fob or PIN you would need to replace the alarm ECU as well which is $$$. You can obtain the alarm PIN from Ferrari but I have read that in the US dealers will charge you for this. You cannot add fobs to the system, they are in matched sets of 3 (1 red and two black), and you need to buy a full set and change them all BUT you can also get the fobs cloned. Search on here, there is a guy who does it. As for security risk, Yes I suppose there is one as the missing Red fob will operate the car. How likely is that? FWIW I only have two black ones but have the PIN if I ever need to change them or the fob fails whilst I'm out.
I have two red fobs left and can program them to match your existing black fobs if you send me one. I pull the data from the 8 pin chip in your original and write it to the new fob. There's a long thread in the technical forum on this topic. This saves a bunch of $$$ compared to the dealer and you can add a single fob instead of an expensive set of 3.
And it's far from a dealbreaker because most of these cars have changed hands a few times and the fobs tend to get lost. Mine only had one black fob when I bought it.
I have the orig red fob. I don't use it. It doesn't deter from the performance or enjoyment. I'm sure it can be replaced. If reqd.
Sent you PM, would love a replacement red FOB, maybe a second black as well (car came only with one black fob)
I'm pretty sure you will get a red fob in looks but not in function. i.e. it will be a red colored black fob, but I stand to be corrected. The red fob is used to put the alarm ECU into programming mode. The black fob just locks and immobilizes the car.
Yes but that serves no practical purpose in day-to-day terms - there is no need for the programming mode
Correct, after the initial programming the only thing unique to the red fob is that it gives you the whole set to have a complete car.
Go to the dealer and bend over. My understanding is they need a bunch of info from you such as your title, etc. and they go to Italy and get you a new code. I've been told this process costs over $2000. Cloning becomes by far the best option.
Yeah, you do have to prove ownership -- it's then a circa $500 charge to get the new PIN from Italy. The risk you take is that the PIN actually does work with your car -- in my case it did, but it could easily have been a $500 hit had the code not worked.
Well things sure must be different in the USA. In Europe most dealers won't entertain any sort of PIN disclosure. Neither would the factory. We used to remove the alarm ecu and the motronics and send them back to Italy for reprogramming. This process could take them up to two weeks. Nowadays most won't even do this.... I can't see how a "new" (ie http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=386151different) pin would work. Unless you are talking about any model 430 onward, which are entirely different......?
A matched set of alarm ECUs including fobs in the UK is about 1100 GBP plus installation. 1800 USD. Cannot be DIY installed as the Engine ECUs/alarm ECUs have to be mated. I'm not sure if this is SD2 or return to factory as Eddie suggested. A new set of fobs (2 black and 1 red) is 350 GBP. 550 USD. With the alarm ECU PIN you can put the alarm ECU into self learning mode and program a new set of 3 fobs to your existing alarm ECU without the need to take it to a dealer. I think the red fob can also put the ECU into self learning mode but I need the check the manual. That is why it is important to have either the real functioning red fob or the alarm PIN. It means you do not have swap out the alarm boards to match a new set of fobs. Of course cloning is another alternative to new fobs but any purchaser should still ask for the red fob or alarm PIN code and if is it missing then it should be a negotiation point.
Yes, this was my experience. 1. Buy the original PIN, make sure you can start the car using just the PIN and the key (i.e., don't use your original black fobs for this because it's the validity of the PIN that you're testing). 2. Once you've satisfied yourself that you can start the car as described in (1), order a new set of fobs (which includes a new PIN and costs about $500 or $600 as I recall). 3. Reprogram the alarm ECU to work with the new PIN and fobs. You can do this yourself by following the procedures in the following document. 4. Note -- as long as you can start the car as described in (1), step (3) will work and you will not need a new alarm ECU. I must confess that step (3) can be fiddly and frustrating -- I had to go through the process three or four times until I got it to accept my new PIN and work with the new fobs.
