^ I got my 08 xB used as well. had 2700 miles on it. I told them when I bought the car that I needed an extra key. one with a remote. they told me that it costs them $200. I told them that I didn't care how much it cost them, that I needed it, and they threw it in the deal. BUT, I had to get it programed and pay to have it cut.. HAHA getting it cut cost me $10 (cause they cut a regular key first to make sure the cut was right) and I programed the fab myself. saved $75 that the stealer-ship wanted to program it for me. HAHAHA ON THEM!!!

 

I just did the key conversion, and I was having an issue with the immobilizer.

When I would leave off the faceplate, the immobilizer worked, but when I would put the aluminum faceplate on the immobilizer was not recognized. I found out that this was because the immobilizer was upside down.

Make sure the sloped side of the immobilizer is facing up when you put it in.

Also I just used a paperclip and a heat gun to get the immobilizer out, really easy.

 

^ Great tip on the immobilizer. Interesting that it matters.

 

sweet gotta try it.

 

Just got my FOB yesterday! The key flip action feels nice and solid. I plan on doing the conversion this weekend. I'll post my results once I've finished. Looking forward to this one.

 

This is pretty cool, i always wanted a key like that!

Will do this once i get back or maybe just order flip up on your address and ship you a key from my tc to you, lol

 

i really really need to get this done! my key is f-ed!!!! and i only have one key since i got my car used, too!!! i've been looking at those flip keys for a while but have be hesitating on doing it since i only got one key, but from this post, i might just take the risk and hope for the best... till i get some extra cash though.... really hate having to stick almost half of my thumb into the stock key just to lock my car! lol j/k but seriously i have to concentrate when i lock the car to make sure im pushing the little button on the inside since the rubber tore...

 

great diy. got my key yesterday from opening the packaging to unlocking and starting my car with it took like an hour thirty (including the time to drive to get the key cut =P) pro thread.

 

Unreal... Spent yesterday going to a couple places trying to get the key cut. Crotchity old man at home depot was no help. I've found a place that specializes in cutting and creating these types of keys (even flashing imobilizers!), BUT along the way I've lost the goddamn third button somehow. Guess I'll have to fab something to replace it, but I'm open to ideas if anyone has one. Will hopefully have this sewn up soon.

 

Ha... if that's what you want to do, I'd have no problem swapping it out for you - just wouldn't be able to 100% test it obviously.

Just FYI, you could also press the Unlock button to lock it. If you press Unlock and no one opens a door for 30 seconds, the car relocks itself.

That's crazy you had that much trouble getting it cut. But ya, some crazy old man at Home Depot is probably going to look at you like you handed him a baby alien or something. I'd suggest contacting the guy you got the key from on eBay and see if he can get you a replacement part or something cheap.

 

You have no idea how right you are. The old crank kept saying things like, "I've never seen anything like this before." and "Where did you get this thing." before trying to make a copy of my blank from the new fob to another blank, and then telling me it didn't look like the key cut... At that point I just left.

As for replacement parts, I don't know if the dudes in China will want to send me a panic button for anything less than the cost of a whole set. I have high hopes for this place I found to cut the key. They have "hundreds" of fobs for all models, so maybe they'll have a spare button or two, fingers crossed.

 

Is this one the same?-

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Flip-...item4149ebaa2e

Unless I am missing something the key in the link above seems to be the same but is much cheaper.

 

That does appear to be the same... and is just a shell. That makes more sense because that's all that is needed because you're transferring your own guts and transponder chip.

Good find.

 

Thats what I thought. I know this is in the tc forum, but I have an xb so I dont even have a transponder chip, so it should be very simple.

 

sick, nice idea!!!

 

Watching! There is a major price drop on ebay now. I just picked one up for $19.95. Cant' wait! http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Foldi...item3ef92ebda5

 

Thats the one I purchased the other day. It doesnt come with all the guts inside like the one that the OP purchased, but it doesnt matter because you can just switch everything over from your current key. When I recieve it I will update everyone on whether it works or not.

 

nice thread

 

Just picked one up. Looks pretty epic!

 

i just did mine, the actual key part is a little loose, anyone else haveing that issue, and to get it cut i had to take the whole damn thing apart because neither home depot or lowes could, so i have tru value do mine, and the old man had to try to try it 2 different times...