Fixing the broken keys of my 10-year-old Maruti WagonR

At nearly Rs. 6000/- for the set, it's quite costly. I've heard people getting this made at a cheaper rate but then such services are not available in my city.

BHPian BoneCollector recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Our Wagon R is nearing 10 years of ownership. The keys had started showing their age. We had been using both the keys alternatingly. The battery was not changed for both as the screw was rusted on both the keys and couldn't be opened. The remote locking stopped working for the last 1 year. I was managing without remote locking. About one and half months back, one of the keys broke while unlocking the door. And the car didn't start with the broken key. Thankfully I was near home so got the spare and used it. On close inspection, I realised that the other one was also cracked. As it is, I had to order a new set of keys so ordered a set of 2 keys.

The order was placed at the dealer workshop. An advance of Rs. 3000/- was deposited. A letter was addressed to the workshop manager for issuing duplicate keys along with the RC copy and the key number present on the aluminium plate which comes with the original key. Thereafter, the wait began. The order was placed on the 26th of October. The keys were received at the dealer workshop on 21st November and I was able to get them on 22nd November.

I was under the impression that the keys would come with the immobiliser coding from the factory but that was not the case. I had to take the vehicle to the workshop, a job card was opened. Thereafter the keys were inserted into the ignition lock to check if it's rotating normally. Then the computer was connected to the OBD port and the key was kept in ignition position. The system read the coding on the car and then a message was sent by the technician to the Maruti tech team with that code. After about half an hour, they received the matching code to configure the keys as per the immobiliser code of my car. The details were inputted into the computer and the same was configured with the key. The same was repeated for the other key. After that, the car started with the new keys and the old one was rendered useless. The remote lock operation was configured by the technician without any problems.

Nothing is complete without mentioning the pros and cons.

Pros:

• Order placed without a physical visit to the dealership.
• Got the original key set with working remote fobs. Remote locking works the way it should.
• There is no issue with respect to the working of all locks

Cons:

• Time taken for the key to be delivered.
• COST. At nearly Rs. 6000/- for the set, it's quite costly. I've heard people getting this made at a cheaper rate but then such services are not available in my city. Moreover, I wanted peace of mind.
• The labour charges were too much. I mean who charges Rs.2000/- for coding when everything is being done by the company's laptop?

I guess the same process would be required to place an order for keys with other manufacturers too.

Here's what BHPian vigsom had to say on the matter:

Thank you for sharing this, Doc. The cost of the key blanks is extremely reasonable but labour charges for coding are rather high. Anyways, overall, I think ₹6,000 for two keys is fair, and it is good to go the OE route.

I experienced the same issue as yours on the integrated remote keys of two cars - my own 2005 Toyota Corolla and another friend's red 2006 Toyota Corolla. In both cases, the casing cracked at the neck when the key was being twisted to start the car. All that was done was some adhesive - cum- sellotape treatment and they worked fine. Duplicate non-remote immobiliser keys can easily be made for as little as ₹1,500 outside but the one thing in such keys is that the quality of material used for the key blade is suspect. I know a case where the blade broke in two when the key was in the barrel, and fortunately, the broken piece could be pulled out using nose pliers.

Keys of the Grand Vitara are exactly the same shape s other Maruti keys except that they're built much better and come with the "CE" stamp on top of the key fob. Also, the screw although oxidized is still openable using a small star screwdriver. I've replaced the battery for the remote circuit twice in the last 7 plus years.

Key for the Grand Vitara - sample image

Here's what BHPian dailydriver had to say on the matter:

Have got two keys from Maruti a couple of years back and from that experience, I can say with confidence that the rates are fair.

Mine were non-remote but immobiliser enabled keys and cost nearly a thousand bucks apiece. The labour for coding them was around eight hundred rupees. Like you, I too had to wait for a while for the code to arrive from Maruti: one of the new keys remained in the ACC position the whole time.

In your case, the key is integrated with the (lock) remote and therefore they being double the cost of mine is reasonable (Remote fobs for aftermarket locking systems cost between 1000-2000 bucks when purchased separately). The coding has to address the two issues of engine start and car locking mechanisms. Plus, labour charges have gone up of late. So, ₹2,000/-seems okay.

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