Boeingpilot
New member
This will be my first posting to the forum, hope it is helpful.
I just purchased a very clean 2005 140' low roof passenger van. Vehicle is in good condition, with a number of small common Sprinter problems. (Glow plugs throwing MIL; Fan resistor had failed (replaced already); heater controls stiff and having issues). None of these are deal breakers. The best thing is relatively low miles (139K) and a clean original interior. Rust had been addressed prior to my purchase, as the vehicle was used as a school transport.
The van came with only one key, and it is of the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) version, though the RKE does not work. (Yes, I tried to 're-pair' the fob to the car, but no joy). The bigger issue is obviously only one key. Lose that, and game over, flatbed to stealership, etc. That said, I wanted to get a spare key (or more) made. As much as I want another key fob (and both of them to work, the quickest thing was to get a standard transponder key made. Looking over the forum, it appears that my choices were dealership (order key, pair to vehicle, $$$); or looksmith and get a clone key (moderate priced, but....)
Being the inquisitive type, I started to research key cloning. The advantage is instead of a finite number of keys, I could have as many keys as I wanted (the car just thinks I'm always using the same key), and I could make new ones whenever I wanted. So, I was looking on line for key cloners that would handle the T5 Silca chip (chip that is in the key blanks). Found an number of cloners in the $150 and up category. Mmmm... Not very cost effective. Then I stumbled on a chinese clone of a Turkish key cloner called the Zed-Bull.
For $35 off eBay, I figured I'd give it a go (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-Type-...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649)
Then for another $12.95, I ordered two Sprinter key blanks off of eBay (https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-New-Repl...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649)
Fortunately, because I have to copy keys for some rental properties, I have access to a Belsaw key cutter
Quite a simple machine, and it does take a bit of getting used to adjust, but it does the job.
So I started out with the blank and my existing key.
About 5 minutes later I had a key cut.
Once the key was cut I tried it in the van and got the immobilizer starter error, which was expected.
The Zed-Bull can be used to identify a key for a transponder and which type. Here is what it read for my original and for the 'virgin' blank
Not surprising the transponder on the blank key was all zeros.
I then ran the key through the copying process.
Simply insert the original into the machine, press Copy. It will prompt you to press R to read
Once done, the machine prompts you for the correct chip type, and to press W to write the key.
20 seconds later, voila, chip is copied.
I went back out to car and the car started!
So.. what's the take aways?
-- The immobilizer on the T1N is an early generation one that does not use rolling codes
-- If you have access to a key machine the blank is readily cut (as it is not a side cut key)
-- For $35 you can own the cloning machine
-- For $6 a blank, you can make a copy that works.
Yes, I could've just gone to the locksmith, but now I've learned something new, and if I need to copy ANY chipped key that the cloner can handle, all I have to do is get a blank. It's a great feeling not to be leave yourself in the hands of the dealer or locksmith.
I just purchased a very clean 2005 140' low roof passenger van. Vehicle is in good condition, with a number of small common Sprinter problems. (Glow plugs throwing MIL; Fan resistor had failed (replaced already); heater controls stiff and having issues). None of these are deal breakers. The best thing is relatively low miles (139K) and a clean original interior. Rust had been addressed prior to my purchase, as the vehicle was used as a school transport.
The van came with only one key, and it is of the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) version, though the RKE does not work. (Yes, I tried to 're-pair' the fob to the car, but no joy). The bigger issue is obviously only one key. Lose that, and game over, flatbed to stealership, etc. That said, I wanted to get a spare key (or more) made. As much as I want another key fob (and both of them to work, the quickest thing was to get a standard transponder key made. Looking over the forum, it appears that my choices were dealership (order key, pair to vehicle, $$$); or looksmith and get a clone key (moderate priced, but....)
Being the inquisitive type, I started to research key cloning. The advantage is instead of a finite number of keys, I could have as many keys as I wanted (the car just thinks I'm always using the same key), and I could make new ones whenever I wanted. So, I was looking on line for key cloners that would handle the T5 Silca chip (chip that is in the key blanks). Found an number of cloners in the $150 and up category. Mmmm... Not very cost effective. Then I stumbled on a chinese clone of a Turkish key cloner called the Zed-Bull.
For $35 off eBay, I figured I'd give it a go (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-Type-...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649)
Then for another $12.95, I ordered two Sprinter key blanks off of eBay (https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-New-Repl...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649)
Fortunately, because I have to copy keys for some rental properties, I have access to a Belsaw key cutter
Quite a simple machine, and it does take a bit of getting used to adjust, but it does the job.
So I started out with the blank and my existing key.
About 5 minutes later I had a key cut.
Once the key was cut I tried it in the van and got the immobilizer starter error, which was expected.
The Zed-Bull can be used to identify a key for a transponder and which type. Here is what it read for my original and for the 'virgin' blank
Not surprising the transponder on the blank key was all zeros.
I then ran the key through the copying process.
Simply insert the original into the machine, press Copy. It will prompt you to press R to read
Once done, the machine prompts you for the correct chip type, and to press W to write the key.
20 seconds later, voila, chip is copied.
I went back out to car and the car started!
So.. what's the take aways?
-- The immobilizer on the T1N is an early generation one that does not use rolling codes
-- If you have access to a key machine the blank is readily cut (as it is not a side cut key)
-- For $35 you can own the cloning machine
-- For $6 a blank, you can make a copy that works.
Yes, I could've just gone to the locksmith, but now I've learned something new, and if I need to copy ANY chipped key that the cloner can handle, all I have to do is get a blank. It's a great feeling not to be leave yourself in the hands of the dealer or locksmith.
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