How to Program a Car Key?

This is probably the broadest topic of them all.
It is almost impossible to generalize across all cars because they are very different. Each manufacturer produces their own security system and uses their own specific keys which allow you to work in a very specific way. As the quote goes: “There is no wax on, wax off for key programming”. However, if you are new to key programming, you can follow the steps we have put together below. One of our developers and a very dear friend of mine always says that key programming is the peak of automotive diagnostics, it is a full-on masterclass because for you to be allowed to program a key to a car you need to know absolutely everything about it. All in all, it appears that key learning is a fine art and you, my dear locksmith, are the artist. Here is what we could select as a common denominator when speaking about keys:

1.    Picking locksmith tools

For the last 19 years Abrites has been known as “THE” tool for key programming but wait. I do not plan on advertising Abrites for you in this blog post. I plan on serving you the facts as I see them and let you make your own mind up.
Old glory only goes so far so before choosing a tool please consider the following:

• Does the tool you plan on using support the cars you are going to work with. Its all great if you have Pagani key programming and you have paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for it but you never see a Pagani customer. Consider the local market, what cars do you see on the streets around your area. I know you want a tool for all makes and models but look around – what is going to make you the best return on investment? Normally – the big European three (Mercedes, BMW and VAG) plus Toyota will always be a good investment because these are well established global brands, and you will certainly see return on investment. Do your local research
   
• Is the tool you are considering a leader or a follower in the world of key programming for cars?
   
• When the tool you are looking into releases something new (a new model, a new key type) do they continue releasing new functionality immediately – do they continue developing or do they stop and wait to collect your money by throttling the release of new development?
   
• Does the company behind it provide enough support to you? Do they take each personal case into account, do they assist you with user manuals, videos, tutorials, blog posts, are they active on social media when discussing problems, are they open and transparent when discussing your problems?
   
• MOST IMPORTANTLY – Does the company you are planning to work with have their own development or do they “bother” know-how from elsewhere? Recent events in the diagnostic world have proven that using tools which use outside know-how (allegedly) will sooner or later leave you stranded. On the other hand, if a company reinvests say 50% or more of its profits in development you can rest assured that none of your hard-earned investment will be lost.
   
• Last – there is no one tool which can do all, but if you could start with one – please let it be the AVDI as even the base tool has so many key programming features that it is more than worth it (join us in our free monthly training on that subject).
   

2.    Know the enemy. How prepared can you be?

This is another one of the topics you must know about – not a single human knows all the procedures of all the cars. But look around you, look at what your potential customers are driving. If they are mostly driving MQB cars you should prepare by having at least 10 MQB keys in stock – 5 keyless, and 5 mechanicals. Do they drive PSA cars – get a few of those, get some IR Mercedes keys because Mercedes will always be needed, sure, add a couple of CAS4/ FEM/ BDC keys as those are also always needed. Renault key cards – get some of those and a few BCM2 keys but just make sure you have a few keys for the most popular keys and key cards in your surroundings. After that you can go forward.
As a matter of fact the ABRITES Key and Transponder Programmer is you best friend in most situations requiring learning a key to a vehicle.

Learn more about PROTAG

 
3.    Common ground

No matter what car you get – there is always common ground you can find to fight the battle. In all cases the keys of a car are protected by some sort of security password, pin code, combination of both usually contained in the modules of the car. I consider most modern keys to be a module on their own so
-    If you add a key to a car in 9 out of 10 cases, you will be able to use the existing working key to obtain the set of security information you need. This makes your job slightly easier, hence cheaper. This is also riskier because there is always a chance of something going wrong, and you lose the working key. More risk, less benefit.
-    To avoid any problems, you can start by improving your chances of success. How do you do that. First you have to know what the requirements for programming a key to the car are. For example, in Golf 4 you need to have a pin code and a transponder. In Mercedes FBS3 you need the 16-digit EZS password, in BMW BDC KEY LEARNING you need the DME/DDE ISN and an E-NET cable. After you have confirmed you know what the procedure you are faced with is and you have the correct key it is time to ensure the basics – check to see if you have a stable internet connection if access to an online server is required (don’t use your phone’s hotspot because if you get an inbound call you will lose the connection and if you are in the middle of a procedure you will have a bad day), make sure to supply power to the vehicle with a battery tender whenever possible just to be safe. Make sure you disconnect said tender whenever the procedure requires you to (I managed to destroy a FEM once). Make sure that you are comfortable before starting – some procedures take time and if you are uncomfortable and you need to wait 20-30 minutes it is not good. Be very careful when maneuvering around the cables you have set up. I have disconnected my AVDI from the OBD mid procedure by just moving my leg…Bad times. Check for communication – reverse OBD, communication management tools are popular anti-theft devices which you need to ask the owner about. Assume the worst, check as much as you can. Always stop and think – am I following the exact procedure, am I missing something simple. In all keys lost procedures for example you may need to wake the car up in a specific manner – have I checked what it is?

4.    Conclusions

Although this is not a step-by-step guide – common sense will help you most of the time. In the cases when you need our assistance – we are always available through support@abrites.com. The guys in our support team are genuinely dedicated and knowledgeable. They will try to help as quickly as possible. You can rely on their assistance.

Try to have fun at work, 
Alek