New Ignition Key?

[Hatterhead]

Has anyone had a new key made for their Elise? I don't use my alarm and don't carry the fob with me which saves having a large lump in my pocket, but the key with the light is still very large and doesn't fit well on a key ring. I would like to get a 'normal' size key made so it would fit nicely on a Lotus fob and be more compact.

I have tried hardware stores and home depot where they make keys, but no one seems to have a correct blank.

Any suggestioins.

[scottyb]

How about taking the emergency Key, (long straight extra key without FOB) and use that.

[Hatterhead]

Originally Posted by scottyb

How about taking the emergency Key, (long straight extra key without FOB) and use that.

Thought about that, but I don't think it would fit in all the way if it were on a key ring. Plus, if I used it, I wouldn't have the emergency key.

[GregD]

You'll probably have to go to a good locksmith to have a duplicate key made. It took a couple of tries by a locksmith to get a good duplicate key made for me. This might help a bit. The key blank he used says "SILCA" on one side. On the other side it says "ITALY" and "HU46". He said the part number for the key blank was X168.

[Hatterhead]

Originally Posted by GregD

You'll probably have to go to a good locksmith to have a duplicate key made. It took a couple of tries by a locksmith to get a good duplicate key made for me. This might help a bit. The key blank he used says "SILCA" on one side. On the other side it says "ITALY" and "HU46". He said the part number for the key blank was X168.

Thanks, that is exactly the information I was looking for.

[FlyLo]

Lowe's found a blank that was the right shape, but it wasn't long enough. They could have ground down the "shoulders" of the key, but they didn't want to do that. I'm sure any good locksmith could do this if they wanted to.

[khamai]

Ilco-Taylor HU46T2 (with black plastic) or X168 (per GGLC Parts Interchange - www.gglotus.org). For an Opel.

Also take a look at the Ilco catalog at
http://www.kaba-ilco.com/key_systems..._Section_2.pdf
scroll down to page 51.

Kiyoshi
GGLC Webguy

[charliex]

i hope its easier than getting one for my m100 , i've been trying for years, i even got a blank from lotus via dave bean and it was wrong too , so far the locksmith has made me about 12 keys, none of em worked, didn't charge me etiher!

i'm supposed to take a pic of it and send it DB, must remember to do that, thanks for the reminder.

[EliseAtLeast]

You guys are great. I just happened to bring my key to Home Depot today to have a duplicate made and the lock guy said they can't do it because they don't have the blank for it. When I come home I see this post. Thanks guys.

[PsychoRallye]

Originally Posted by Hatterhead

Has anyone had a new key made for their Elise? I don't use my alarm and don't carry the fob with me which saves having a large lump in my pocket, but the key with the light is still very large and doesn't fit well on a key ring. I would like to get a 'normal' size key made so it would fit nicely on a Lotus fob and be more compact.

I have tried hardware stores and home depot where they make keys, but no one seems to have a correct blank.

Any suggestioins.

You have a light on your key?
What is your VIN last 4?

[soulmn]

I have lights on my keys too. #3320

soulman

[Hatterhead]

Originally Posted by PsychoRallye

You have a light on your key?
What is your VIN last 4?

Yes my key has a light, VIN 1717.

By the way, went to two different locksmiths yesterday with the info I got here for the blanks and they didn't work. The X168 & HU46 are similar but mirror image of my key. Both locksmiths said that the car is too new and that only a dealer could get a replacement at this time.

Also, one said that the HU46 is what is used on the GM Saturn.

Now I am really confused.

[GregD]

Originally Posted by Hatterhead

By the way, went to two different locksmiths yesterday with the info I got here for the blanks and they didn't work. The X168 & HU46 are similar but mirror image of my key. Both locksmiths said that the car is too new and that only a dealer could get a replacement at this time.

Also, one said that the HU46 is what is used on the GM Saturn.

Now I am really confused.

My key is a mirror image on the two sides, so the blank being a mirror image doesn't matter. My car is a June 05 production and my original keys didn't have the light built into them. So your key isn't a mirror image on both sides?

[TimMullen]

Originally Posted by Hatterhead

Both locksmiths said that the car is too new and that only a dealer could get a replacement at this time.

It doesn't really matter that the car is "new". The secret is to find out what other car the key is used on. Lotus sources such parts from another manufacturer - unfortunately for us, it's often a European manufacturer that doesn't sell cars in the US...

[khamai]

Originally Posted by TimMullen

It doesn't really matter that the car is "new". The secret is to find out what other car the key is used on. Lotus sources such parts from another manufacturer - unfortunately for us, it's often a European manufacturer that doesn't sell cars in the US...

Opel Speedster

Kiyoshi

[PsychoRallye]

Originally Posted by Hatterhead

Yes my key has a light, VIN 1717.

By the way, went to two different locksmiths yesterday with the info I got here for the blanks and they didn't work. The X168 & HU46 are similar but mirror image of my key. Both locksmiths said that the car is too new and that only a dealer could get a replacement at this time.

Also, one said that the HU46 is what is used on the GM Saturn.

Now I am really confused.

I have a SILCA HU46 (italy) key and it works great.
Many locksmiths can't cut steel keys (not brass like most keys), hence Home Depot is useless.

Please note however, that Lotus had trouble with the original key vendor between my VIN (3400's) and some number before that -- so they switched key vendors (possibly ignition & lock too, I'm not sure) -- so the older lock system (your keys have lights) may not accept the SILCA HU46 -- but that is purely a supposition.

Again, my copy works flawlessly...

[Arno]

Originally Posted by TimMullen

It doesn't really matter that the car is "new". The secret is to find out what other car the key is used on. Lotus sources such parts from another manufacturer - unfortunately for us, it's often a European manufacturer that doesn't sell cars in the US...

Oh, this key is only used on several million other european GM cars (Opel, Vauxhall) on the road in europe and around the world.

This is quite funny.. For you guys it's a very 'strange' key, but here it's a type of key that's extremely widespread albeit a bit outdated and now slowly being phased out.

Bye, Arno.

[turbo2nr]

Two different lock/keys were used. I called about that. Changed sometime in 2005. Around $300 for a new set, 3locks, 3 keys. I wanted the lighted key, Can't see the lock at night. (No, I'm not buying a $300 flashlight)

Cadillac dealerships can get you hooked up. That's what LotusUSA told me. They have special keys and key cutting stuff I guess.

I did the key into fob mod. Works great!


Well, when Lotus decided not to include a lighted lock in the car, like every other car, I guess they thought a lighted key would be in order. But, something must have happened to the supplier. Now we are left in the dark...Owners manual still shows the older design. 06s again have no lighted lock. How much could a tiny light the size of a grain of rice weigh? Cost? $0.40 Kinda Cheezy IMO.

[turbo2nr]

[quote=Arno]Oh, this key is only used on several million other european GM cars (Opel, Vauxhall) on the road in europe and around the world.

This is quite funny.. For you guys it's a very 'strange' key, but here it's a type of key that's extremely widespread




We use that stuff for riding lawn mowers in the US. Not cars..

[FlyLo]

Lighted locks? Who the hell has lighted locks? Don't most cars in the US now have remote locks?