Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Replacement for 1999 4/4

Had a little accident last summer with the regular key for my 1999 4/4 resulting in it snapping in two!

I can obviously use the master key in the short term, but i am now looking to move it on to a new home (too many toys, not enough room) so really need two keys.

On the off chance I tried Timpsons, who couldn't do it themselves, but have a referal service to the AA. Being a bit dubious about whether they (the AA) will actually get round to calling me, I want a back up plan!

Im sure this is just a Ford key, with associated immobiliser, as are many parts on a 4/4 of 1999 vintage.

Anybody got any better recommendations to procure a replacement key? I suppose Morgan themselves might be able to help, but I'm in Yorkshire!

Thanks in advance for any tips...

Try an independant. I had a Ford Fiesta of a similar vintage and my local locksmith was able to cut and code a new key based on an original. They scanned the original code first in a machine, then transfered it to a new blank and cut the key from it. Think it cost about £50, but was about 10 years ago.

I had similar experience. Independent shoe repair/ keycutter did it wile I waited. Had no trouble with the electronic bits. I can't remember how much but I think it was less than £50 by alot...mind you, it was a few years ago.

Hi Tykester

I have a 1999 4/4 and in my case the key is a Rover key. The body of the plastic part of the key has a hole drilled into it parallel to the metal key tongue and in the face that faces the ignition barrel. If I remember correctly the hole is 3mm dia. The glass Ford transponder is slid into the hole and retained by what looks like black silicon sealant, at least that's what I used to refit the transponder when it fell out of the key. It should be possible with a bit of care to remove the sealant in your old key and recover the transponder. A locksmith will be able to cut a new Rover key and all you have to do is drill the hole and fit the recovered transponder. Incidentally the master key should have a small plastic tab on the key ring with a 4 digit number stamped on it, in my case 7308. A locksmith told me this number describes the key cutting code.




Regards Tony

That key looks identical to the ones that came with the Valeo ignition key barrel I bought as a spare for my Roadster Tony. It was from a Rover 820/825/827 series 1992 - 1999 and Land Rover as well. I assumed if needed I could recover the original transponder slug(s) and drill the plastic in new keys to accept as you suggest. There was a tag on the supplied keyring with presumably the four digit cutting code pre-fixed with letter T.

That is definitely the same key type as mine. I can vaguely see where there might be a channel for the transponder to one side, but it is very well covered with solid plastic on mine. That's not to say I couldn't try and drill it out, but I would then be worried about damaging it. It's definitely not falling out on it's own.

There is a shortage of 'independent' key cutters and locksmiths in my neck of the woods but there is one in Otley which I will try first, and see what they say about both cloning the code or getting the transponder out and setting it in a new key!

Hi Tykester

I would not try to drill the hole to remove the transponder. Since you have nothing to lose I would clamp the the key into a vice such that the section containing the transponder is clear of the vice jaws and carefully file the area around the hole, stopping regularly to check you are not hitting the glass transponder and see if you can tease the transponder out that way. That said I am sure a locksmith would be able to program a completely new key for you at a price.

Regards Tony

It may look covered in solid plastic because it most probably sits in a little plastic push fit sleeve. The sleeve often falls out on its own but can be dug/picked out with a sharp knife should you want to salvage the chip. See the pic in this thread.

However, I suspect that it is the older fixed code Texas ID4C chip that Ford used pre 2K and can be cloned whilst in the key anyway. A lot of locksmiths have the older copying machines that can clone these chips for not much money.

Whilst the later ID60 encrypted chips used in later Morgans look the same, they are a bit more of a challenge to reproduce….

Good luck!