The Chinese key cases finally arrived, ....... from Birmingham with a premium price.
I followed the threads kindly listed by Mark.
Well, one is done.
- The replacement case isn't the same sturdiness of the original. Didn't expect it to be, but although the two halves close up when screwed, they work apart at the top.
- This is a one way process. Dismantling the original seems only possible by its destruction.
- The Maserati logo hiding the screw that holds the two halves together is impossible to remove and attempts more or less irretrievably damaged it. Using the hair drier technique until the logo was just too hot to touch failed to loosen it. I drilled it. You can see where, which uncovers the screw. Don't drill the screw
- The replacement electrical contacts aren't much up to much, and fall out. I used the original battery tray, the button contacts, and lower curved item that sits on a lugg.
- The transponder is in the upper cavity. Impossible to retrieve. I used a cutting disc, gingerly, don't cut the transponder. It looks like a long thin filament, but most of it is 'glue', with the grain hiding inside. I installed it with a dab of silicon sealer.
View attachment 72573
The completed key unlocks and locks the car and the boot, so the buttons work.
Here's the old now damaged case next to the new one. If I did the second case, I'd probably put several coats of clear lacquer on it, to ensure a little more durability
View attachment 72574
I have a question.
I've no idea whether I've damaged the transponder, I don't think that I have.
Would the doors unlock without the transponder, or does the transponder just enable the ignition? I haven't tried the ignition as the car is securely covered up.
I'm deferring destroying the second key until I'm satisfied all is working correctly out of range of the unadulterated key.
Anyone know before I troll up the road out of range of the other original key, and find myself stranded
Not sure that I couldn't live with the original dodgey key
Robin