Key Fob Issues, damaged switch, won't unlock.

Hi, i have an 06 C3 it came with 2 keys. (1.4 lx diesel facelift model) (V5 says C3 L HDI Model)

1: is the older fob model pre2006 which the buttons are completely destroyed and the locking switch is gone.
this is the key that open / locks the drivers door but none of the others. it is in a really bad state and im unsure if soldering a new switch and getting a new case could fix this, but even if it does i am unable to reprogram the key due to it being different key to the ignition. it does nothing when i press the unlock switch so i tried a new battery just incase but still nothing so im thinking even if i can fix this what is the chances of it still being paired without needing programmed.

2: is the new rectangle fob with 2 buttons 2006+.
this starts the car fine but doesnt work for the doors, tried a new battery and the program trick nothing happens when i try to lock / unlock the car with the fob.

i have been told by citroen to get a new key will take 3+ weeks and cost me £250 at least so this is not an option.

the car locks unlocks when driving it and also when i press the button inside the car so i know the issue is not the central locking.

im now hoping someone has been through this and can give some solutions to an easyish fix.
thanks for any help

C3Noob wrote: ↑Thu Feb 18, 2021 8:13 pm Hi, i have an 06 C3 it came with 2 keys. (1.4 lx diesel facelift model) (V5 says C3 L HDI Model)

1: is the older fob model pre2006 which the buttons are completely destroyed and the locking switch is gone.
this is the key that open / locks the drivers door but none of the others. it is in a really bad state and im unsure if soldering a new switch and getting a new case could fix this, but even if it does i am unable to reprogram the key due to it being different key to the ignition. it does nothing when i press the unlock switch so i tried a new battery just incase but still nothing so im thinking even if i can fix this what is the chances of it still being paired without needing programmed.

2: is the new rectangle fob with 2 buttons 2006+.
this starts the car fine but doesnt work for the doors, tried a new battery and the program trick nothing happens when i try to lock / unlock the car with the fob.

i have been told by citroen to get a new key will take 3+ weeks and cost me £250 at least so this is not an option.

the car locks unlocks when driving it and also when i press the button inside the car so i know the issue is not the central locking.

im now hoping someone has been through this and can give some solutions to an easyish fix.
thanks for any help

Hi

Some photos attached, by following these instructions for attaching photos would help.

Pictures of the key fob assembly and the internal circuit board with the damaged switch can help.

You can replace the switches if you can solder SMD, have a look at here - Early C3 transponder key fob parts (plip) fix for a how to replace the switches. Its the second post down.

If you replace the switches then it should start working again if they were ever paired to the car originally, if not, you can't pair the remote locking to the car, ever.

You are confused about the key pairing and reprogramming?

A picture of the actual car, showing the front and the key fob internals would really help identify what you actually have because things changed in 2006.

Hello C3noob

C3Noob wrote: ↑Thu Feb 18, 2021 8:13 pm 1: is the older fob model pre2006 which the buttons are completely destroyed and the locking switch is gone.

This key probably came from a donor car, that also donated the door lock. It never remotely unlocked or started the engine in your car, and it never will. It is just to manually unlock the drivers door.

C3Noob wrote: ↑Thu Feb 18, 2021 8:13 pm 2: is the new rectangle fob with 2 buttons 2006+.
this starts the car fine but doesnt work for the doors,

This is probably the original key that came with the car from new. It starts the engine but won't unlock the drivers door manually because someone changed the lock.

It should remote unlock, but due to a fault, it doesn't.
Faults can be with the fob itself, a fault with the COM2000 remote receiver or a programming issue with the BSI. None of which are particularly cheap to fix.

To diagnose key2, take it to an auto locksmith to see if it gives a remote unlock/lock signal out. If it does, that's a good start. If it doesn't then the key is beyond repair (other than the switch).

With a signal from the key, use Lexia to monitor the key lock/unlock signals to see if its COM2000 or BSI fault.


Probably not worth messaging around with and let Citroen supply a new key.

cheers for the replies guys, i have added 2 pics of key 1.
not confused but yes meant if it has been paired to the car then whats the chance of it still being programmed to it if i did do the soldering repair.

thats what i feared that key 1 is more or less a dummy and key 2 is broken.
almost confirmed its useless buying new switches for this but i may just try it to be sure.

ill find an auto locksmith tomm and find out if there is a signal or not. thanks again for the help

C3Noob wrote: ↑Thu Feb 18, 2021 9:18 pm cheers for the replies guys, i have added 2 pics of key 1.
not confused but yes meant if it has been paired to the car then whats the chance of it still being programmed to it if i did do the soldering repair.

thats what i feared that key 1 is more or less a dummy and key 2 is broken.
almost confirmed its useless buying new switches for this but i may just try it to be sure.

ill find an auto locksmith tomm and find out if there is a signal or not. thanks again for the help

20210218_210302.jpg

20210218_210301.jpg

If you really have a facelift 2006, then the key in your picture is most likely to be this:

This key probably came from a donor car, that also donated the door lock. It never remotely unlocked or started the engine in your car, and it never will. It is just to manually unlock the drivers door.

And it will never remote unlock your 2006.

Your only hope is testing the other key (no picture) for a signal.

C3Noob wrote: ↑Thu Feb 18, 2021 9:18 pm not confused but yes meant if it has been paired to the car then whats the chance of it still being programmed to it if i did do the soldering repair.

You don't even need to solder to try it.

Just short out the two pads that the switch used to be soldered to. Use an unbent paperclip or whatever you have that is wire shaped.

You don't normally need to do anything to them after fitting new switches.

Thanks for the replies guys, i have an appointment at an auto locksmiths on monday (appt only due to covid).
they have said they will test the key but either way they will sort it for half the price of citroen so ill update after i seen them
cheers

C3Noob wrote: ↑Thu Feb 18, 2021 8:13 pm Hi, i have an 06 C3 it came with 2 keys. (1.4 lx diesel facelift model) (V5 says C3 L HDI Model)

1: is the older fob model pre2006 which the buttons are completely destroyed and the locking switch is gone.
this is the key that open / locks the drivers door but none of the others. it is in a really bad state and im unsure if soldering a new switch and getting a new case could fix this, but even if it does i am unable to reprogram the key due to it being different key to the ignition. it does nothing when i press the unlock switch so i tried a new battery just incase but still nothing so im thinking even if i can fix this what is the chances of it still being paired without needing programmed.

2: is the new rectangle fob with 2 buttons 2006+.
this starts the car fine but doesnt work for the doors, tried a new battery and the program trick nothing happens when i try to lock / unlock the car with the fob.

i have been told by citroen to get a new key will take 3+ weeks and cost me £250 at least so this is not an option.

the car locks unlocks when driving it and also when i press the button inside the car so i know the issue is not the central locking.

im now hoping someone has been through this and can give some solutions to an easyish fix.
thanks for any help

This is bizarre! You have 1 old type and 1 new type of plip!? Do both have VALEO stamped on the blade? I bet at least one doesn't.

The photo shows a genuine Mk1 central locking board but it will never work with a Mk2 car.
I would say one of the previous owners lost one of the original keys (rectangular). They then 'obtained' a genuine Mk1 plip, thinking that it would work. They took it to a locksmith who cut a new blade and cloned a new RFID chip. But the Mk1 plip will never work with the Mk2 car and most locksmiths can not code in the central locking for PSA cars.

Concentrate on re-syncing the rectangular plip, as mentioned by one of the previous posters. Follow the hyperlink or the process is also in the owners manual. Unfortunately you have no idea what the previous owners have done and that may not be an original key.

THE DRIVERS DOOR LOCK IS NOT CONNECTED TO THE CENTRAL LOCKING! The lock in the drivers door is for "emergency purposes" only! Heed my warning; check and lubricate this lock from time-to-time!! If your plip fails and you are locked out...you WILL be sorry!

I do have some good news. The Mk2 central locking security is not as complicated as the Mk1 security and the 'Chinese knock off' plips you find on ebay, ETC do tend to work, whereas the Mk1 requires a brand new genuine key if you need to replace your old key.

By the way in the documentation package that you got with the car, is there a credit card sized plastic card with 'Citroen' written all over it?

Quick update on this that might help others in the same situation.
There is a manual door lock on each door remove the black tape thats covering it, turn it outwards with your key while holding the door handle open.
close the door and let go of the handle and your door is locked.
do this for each door and manually lock the drivers door as normal.

Ozvtr yes it loocks like the door lock has been changed and the donor was the old type which has Valeo stamped on it. the rectangle plip doesnt have it stamped that i can see.

i have tried re-syncing it but suspect a faulty rectangular plip should hopefully find out for sure monday when the locksmith looks at it.
i also always make sure the locks all work on my cars every 6 months or so when i do a quick service on them so theres no big shocks when i take them in for full service or MOT etc but will be over cautious with this.

any chance of a link to a 'Chinese knock off' plips from ebay so i know what im looking for dont want to jump in and buy the wrong thing if needed
and no there was no pin card with the minimal documents i got with it unfortunately.

again though thanks for all the help guys

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-Button-Flip-Keyless-Remote-Key-Fob-ID46-Fit-For-Citroen-C3-C4-C5-C6-Picasso/193395176522
As far as I can tell the 2 button fob has the 3 button PCB, without the middle button.

The problem is you will need the 4 digit PIN code from Citroen to code the key in and a scan tool to interface with the car.

Hopefully the locksmith has a frequency scanner and can tell if the key is transmitting a signal.