VY Key Replacement

isszy · 10-26-2009, 07:52 PM

The key to my VY wagon is all but stuffed. The buttons are gone, so I have to push my finger into the hole to lock and unlock the doors. To add to this, the car only ever came with one key.

So where is the best place to get a replacement ? Do I go to Holden, or will I get ripped off ? Or do I go to Mr Minute or one of those locksmith places ?

About how much are they worth ? (obviously slightly more than getting locked out of the car...)

mattyman1010 · 10-26-2009, 08:22 PM

We got a key replacement for our Rolla' from Mr. Minute I think it cost around $80NZD compared to the hundreds that Toyota would charge. It was a couple years back but you do miss the remotes central locking that you would get from a dealer. The dealer will most likely rip you off hugely as they would have for us, but see if you can get it for a better deal.

chinamonty · 10-26-2009, 10:43 PM

I have heard of this but never tried them
http://www.keybuttons.com.au/

isszy · 10-26-2009, 11:23 PM

Thanks !!

Just ordered them - I'll see how it goes - $25 much better than $110.

chinamonty · 10-27-2009, 02:03 AM

My pleasure to assist. I hope it works out well (can't see why they wouldn't). Pity they do them for my sister's Subaru.

**mikmak** · 10-27-2009, 07:13 AM

Wow. That's a pretty good idea. I bet they get plenty of business (though I've never heard of them before).

chinamonty · 10-27-2009, 09:42 PM

It's only us Mexicans that keep our ears open.

Baz · 10-27-2009, 11:17 PM

What about radio control buttons. My fathers VR calais has lost its volume down button off the steering wheel. Holden wanna make me buy an entire set of buttons just for one part!

isszy · 10-27-2009, 11:30 PM

Why does he want to turn it down ??

chinamonty · 10-28-2009, 06:50 AM

The company that made the VR controls was Eaton, I think, who don't make them any more. Are the VY ones the same button (I can't remember). I sourced the switch but not the buttons for the VY when I worked for VDO (who are now Continental). That is one of the problems we have -companies come and go. I think you may be stuck with Holden but try a wrecker first.

isszy · 10-29-2009, 05:21 AM

So I ordered the buttons on Tuesday afternoon and this morning (Thursday) they were in the mailbox. They are a little larger than the originals to fill the indent better, and a softer plastic.

It took less than 5 minutes with a sharp blade to clean out what was left of the old buttons and these fit straight in without opening the casing.

What is even better is that they work better than the originals because the backing touches the striker plate much more easily.

At $25 delivered, they are well worth it if your key is knackered. I may still get a key so I have 2, but the urgency has ceased and my wife no longer refuses to drive my car...

chinamonty · 10-29-2009, 07:36 PM

Good to hear that all went well. Now all I need is a Prestige CD radio for the AU wagon but they are scarce. May have to repair the old one. One of the button switches has failed an of course it is one of the security key digits isn't it! Plus I think the relay for the aerial has gone too. Might be a project for next weekend.

AusCalais · 10-30-2009, 05:00 AM

fyi... You can open some VRII Calais keys without damaging any soldering (just be very careful the 1st time opening it, just in case).

The key remote would refuse to work sometimes, although giving it a tap brought it back.... I found there was a small wiper contact inside that allowed the key blade to be used as the antenna for the remote. When that was cleaned up (wiped with a small piece of paper, no fluids) it worked again.

I also had a key replaced under warranty and the replacement was of a slightly different design inside and out, so this fix may not work for all VR keys.

**mikmak** · 10-30-2009, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isszy

...... I may still get a key so I have 2, but the urgency has ceased and my wife no longer refuses to drive my car...

That's a plus?

Rick_VT · 11-18-2009, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinamonty

I have heard of this but never tried them
http://www.keybuttons.com.au/

Cheers for that website, both the keys for my VT have totally worn buttons now been just touching the button with the house key to lock/unlock, id heard that Holden charged heaps for new keys.

10-26-2009, 07:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
isszy 2.8 Liter Turbocharged V6 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Melbourne Australia Drives: Holden VY Berlina Posts: 803	VY Key Replacement The key to my VY wagon is all but stuffed. The buttons are gone, so I have to push my finger into the hole to lock and unlock the doors. To add to this, the car only ever came with one key. So where is the best place to get a replacement ? Do I go to Holden, or will I get ripped off ? Or do I go to Mr Minute or one of those locksmith places ? About how much are they worth ? (obviously slightly more than getting locked out of the car...) __________________ 2003 Holden Berlina Wagon (his) Factory dual fuel 17" VZ SV8 alloys SS Leather steering wheel Satin chrome gear & handbrake levers 1600kg towbar Calais fog lights FE2 suspension Mudflaps Holden rubber floormats (don't buy 'em, they wear through in 6 months) 2002 Holden Berlina Sedan (hers) Aftermarket dual fuel 17" International alloys Satin chrome gear & handbrake levers Mudflaps VY Series II rear bumper

10-26-2009, 08:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
mattyman1010 2.4 Liter SIDI ECOTEC Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Auckland City Posts: 488	Re: VY Key Replacement We got a key replacement for our Rolla' from Mr. Minute I think it cost around $80NZD compared to the hundreds that Toyota would charge. It was a couple years back but you do miss the remotes central locking that you would get from a dealer. The dealer will most likely rip you off hugely as they would have for us, but see if you can get it for a better deal. __________________ "You can't sacrifice future product for short-term finanical gains. That's like a farmer eating his seed potatoes instead of planting them." - Bob Lutz. Add me one Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MatthewJones93?ref=profile

10-26-2009, 10:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
chinamonty 6.0 Liter L76 V8 Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Caulfield (Melbourne) Australia Drives: Ford AU Fairmont Wagon (work car) Posts: 2,453	Re: VY Key Replacement I have heard of this but never tried them http://www.keybuttons.com.au/

10-26-2009, 11:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
isszy 2.8 Liter Turbocharged V6 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Melbourne Australia Drives: Holden VY Berlina Posts: 803	Re: VY Key Replacement Thanks !! Just ordered them - I'll see how it goes - $25 much better than $110. __________________ 2003 Holden Berlina Wagon (his) Factory dual fuel 17" VZ SV8 alloys SS Leather steering wheel Satin chrome gear & handbrake levers 1600kg towbar Calais fog lights FE2 suspension Mudflaps Holden rubber floormats (don't buy 'em, they wear through in 6 months) 2002 Holden Berlina Sedan (hers) Aftermarket dual fuel 17" International alloys Satin chrome gear & handbrake levers Mudflaps VY Series II rear bumper

10-27-2009, 02:03 AM	#5 (permalink)
chinamonty 6.0 Liter L76 V8 Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Caulfield (Melbourne) Australia Drives: Ford AU Fairmont Wagon (work car) Posts: 2,453	Re: VY Key Replacement My pleasure to assist. I hope it works out well (can't see why they wouldn't). Pity they do them for my sister's Subaru.

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10-27-2009, 07:13 AM	#6 (permalink)
mikmak GMI Australia Correspondent Join Date: May 2005 Location: Pacific Paradise, Australia Drives: VZ Wagon and JSII sedan Posts: 11,602	Re: VY Key Replacement Wow. That's a pretty good idea. I bet they get plenty of business (though I've never heard of them before). __________________ *READ GM International Operations 100 Day Scorecard!!It's official: I'm a twit. Follow me on Twitter!!***

10-27-2009, 09:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
chinamonty 6.0 Liter L76 V8 Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Caulfield (Melbourne) Australia Drives: Ford AU Fairmont Wagon (work car) Posts: 2,453	Re: VY Key Replacement It's only us Mexicans that keep our ears open.

10-27-2009, 11:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
Baz 2.4 Liter SIDI ECOTEC Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 401	Re: VY Key Replacement What about radio control buttons. My fathers VR calais has lost its volume down button off the steering wheel. Holden wanna make me buy an entire set of buttons just for one part!

10-27-2009, 11:30 PM	#9 (permalink)
isszy 2.8 Liter Turbocharged V6 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Melbourne Australia Drives: Holden VY Berlina Posts: 803	Re: VY Key Replacement Why does he want to turn it down ?? __________________ 2003 Holden Berlina Wagon (his) Factory dual fuel 17" VZ SV8 alloys SS Leather steering wheel Satin chrome gear & handbrake levers 1600kg towbar Calais fog lights FE2 suspension Mudflaps Holden rubber floormats (don't buy 'em, they wear through in 6 months) 2002 Holden Berlina Sedan (hers) Aftermarket dual fuel 17" International alloys Satin chrome gear & handbrake levers Mudflaps VY Series II rear bumper

10-28-2009, 06:50 AM	#10 (permalink)
chinamonty 6.0 Liter L76 V8 Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Caulfield (Melbourne) Australia Drives: Ford AU Fairmont Wagon (work car) Posts: 2,453	Re: VY Key Replacement The company that made the VR controls was Eaton, I think, who don't make them any more. Are the VY ones the same button (I can't remember). I sourced the switch but not the buttons for the VY when I worked for VDO (who are now Continental). That is one of the problems we have -companies come and go. I think you may be stuck with Holden but try a wrecker first.

10-29-2009, 05:21 AM	#11 (permalink)
isszy 2.8 Liter Turbocharged V6 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Melbourne Australia Drives: Holden VY Berlina Posts: 803	Re: VY Key Replacement So I ordered the buttons on Tuesday afternoon and this morning (Thursday) they were in the mailbox. They are a little larger than the originals to fill the indent better, and a softer plastic. It took less than 5 minutes with a sharp blade to clean out what was left of the old buttons and these fit straight in without opening the casing. What is even better is that they work better than the originals because the backing touches the striker plate much more easily. At $25 delivered, they are well worth it if your key is knackered. I may still get a key so I have 2, but the urgency has ceased and my wife no longer refuses to drive my car... __________________ 2003 Holden Berlina Wagon (his) Factory dual fuel 17" VZ SV8 alloys SS Leather steering wheel Satin chrome gear & handbrake levers 1600kg towbar Calais fog lights FE2 suspension Mudflaps Holden rubber floormats (don't buy 'em, they wear through in 6 months) 2002 Holden Berlina Sedan (hers) Aftermarket dual fuel 17" International alloys Satin chrome gear & handbrake levers Mudflaps VY Series II rear bumper

10-29-2009, 07:36 PM	#12 (permalink)
chinamonty 6.0 Liter L76 V8 Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Caulfield (Melbourne) Australia Drives: Ford AU Fairmont Wagon (work car) Posts: 2,453	Re: VY Key Replacement Good to hear that all went well. Now all I need is a Prestige CD radio for the AU wagon but they are scarce. May have to repair the old one. One of the button switches has failed an of course it is one of the security key digits isn't it! Plus I think the relay for the aerial has gone too. Might be a project for next weekend.

10-30-2009, 05:00 AM	#13 (permalink)
AusCalais 2.4 Liter SIDI ECOTEC Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Canberra, Australian Capital (of hot air) Drives: 2007 Holden Caprice 6.0L, Evoke. Posts: 471	Re: VY Key Replacement fyi... You can open some VRII Calais keys without damaging any soldering (just be very careful the 1st time opening it, just in case). The key remote would refuse to work sometimes, although giving it a tap brought it back.... I found there was a small wiper contact inside that allowed the key blade to be used as the antenna for the remote. When that was cleaned up (wiped with a small piece of paper, no fluids) it worked again. I also had a key replaced under warranty and the replacement was of a slightly different design inside and out, so this fix may not work for all VR keys.

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