*HOW TO* vauxhall flip key

[Asa-James]

just made a nice flip key for the cav, something different, so i thought i'd post up a step by step for anybody else who wants a go. i'll be doing it again soon for mine as the spare key i used wasnt a good cut, plus it wasnt the neatest of jobs due to the tools i used..

so we'll start from the start, and you'll need some tools. i bought a halfords multitool(like a dremel) and didnt use it, despite the site i took inspiration from saying it was a must. instead i used a large metal file, hammer, 1.5mm drillbit, pliers and a vice. i'd recommend a set of needle files to get it looking better and you will have more control than a large file...oh, and a flip key (got mine off ebay, £10 all in)

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k155/asa_037/cav/DSC01911.jpg

first off, removing the old blade from the flip key. open the blade half way and you will see a small roll pin, knock it out using the drill bit and hammer (dont lose it) and remove the blade. it may take some persuasion. you should be left with this...

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k155/asa_037/cav/DSC01900.jpg

next you need to remove the plastic bit from your spare. i found a blowtorch works quite well, and doesnt take too much time... anyway, after a bit of cleaning and filing off the tabs on the key, you should have this...

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k155/asa_037/cav/DSC01903.jpg

note you "spare" blade is longer, so needs trimming down, to this..

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k155/asa_037/cav/DSC01904.jpg

then you need to file one side of the key flat to get the "height" right.

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k155/asa_037/cav/DSC01906.jpg

if you sit the original blade on your's, you should be able to get a good idea of length, and you will notice that your blade is slightly wider, but it does fit in the fob. so you need to file the edges slightly to make it slimmer. dont go too crazy, as the key will end up rattling around. once you are at this stage, you should start to trial fit the key in the fob and trimming as appropriate. once you are happy, make sure the key opens and closes nice and free in the fob, reshape if needed.

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k155/asa_037/cav/DSC01907.jpg

next, you need to file in the notch for the roll pin to sit. do this on the opposite side to where you flatted the key. measure against the old blade, but so long as you dont file too far back you should be alright. once the hole is cleared and the pin can be refitted (i placed it in, then used the vice to slowley press it through) your key should be ready!

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k155/asa_037/cav/DSC01909.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k155/asa_037/cav/DSC01909.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k155/asa_037/cav/DSC01910.jpg

this was done using a cavalier (1994) key, but i'm guessing the same principal could be applied to early vectra, corsa, nova, astra, so long as the width of the key fits within the fob

some things to look out for...
dont file your key too short, if you do it wont fit the ignition properly, as it sits close enough as it is.
if you mess up after reading this, please note that i take no responsibility, as common sense should prevail. :D



and to point out the "obvious" of just getting another blade cut, you could, just make sure that the narrow blade will work in your barrels (i'm guessing they are a particular size for a reason)

[loggyboy]

Nice guide, but wont work on any nova as the keys are large spikey ones!

[Asa-James]

so long as the total length and width arnt massive (i.e bigger than a cav key) you should be able to do it. people do it with golf mk2 keys into the mk4 fobs, and the blades for the mk2 are spikey rather than square. get a cav key and measure up:thumb:

[loggyboy]

Nova keys are alot wider (about 4mm extra than the cav styles ones) as the 'teeth' are exposed on them.

[L14MNP]

You can get universal VAG style flip key fobs on eBay. A mate had one cut or his classic Mini (fcuk knows why TBH but each to their own) They have the wider style keys I'm almost certain.

[Nova_Tek]

Top guide mate, now if only I had the tools and the money to do it lol.

Will deffo show this to my bro and dad who both have Cav's.

Gotta rep you tho :thumb:

[Stanley]

Thanks to this guide i made my flip key tonight.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e188/stan_the_man08/Image008-1.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e188/stan_the_man08/Image009-1.jpg

Took me ten minutes and cost me nothing!!

Excellent guide mate. Rep on its way!

[Stanley]

/\ /\ Thats a 1995 cavalier key BTW.

[Asa-James]

did it come out better than mine? ihavent bothered doing a "nice" version yet. i cant afford to get another key cut...

[Stanley]

It was a bit rough to be honest. The blade is a bit loose, and will come off if its pulled hard enough. Plus mine is a X20XE so has a transponder, which i will be taping to the ignition barrel, as its 'just' to far away when its in the key to get a good reading.

Work in progress!

[NovaGuy1400SRi]

Nice guide, but wont work on any nova as the keys are large spikey ones!

The plastic can be trimmed away slightly as i have done for my Nova key, will get pics tomorrow if i remember.

John.

[scottish]

:) :) :) :) :) :) :)
got bored at work so decided to make my own nova flip key from an insignia fob
works perfectly

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5256/5529678897_0ff408668b_m.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5173/5529676617_ec3d596c98_m.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5096/5529677779_2b7cdb02dc_m.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5171/5530267242_3056d6da97_m.jpg
:thumb:

[Dave.]

Howcome you cut abit out of the key? any way around this? as ive got a insignia flip key i nabbed from work before i left lol

[scottish]

I did rush it it only took 10 mins you can get away with just buffing down the inner recess I have a few more so I am gonna perfect it for my main key next week

[brainsnova]

It would be good to get the remote cl reciever and have the cl buttons working

[scottish]

i am working on that i have a spare clifford fob so i am gonna try and strip the guts out of both and try it out

you cant use the insignia fobs cause the clifford alarm cant understand the open system

[Nova_Tek]

Shame the Nova key is wider than the newer keys. Would be a nice touch for the Nova.

[TeddyThom]

Any chance of anyone actually doing a guide for the nova keys?? That way everyone can see them done step by step such as the cav ones and get a good feel for it

[B19_ewn]

Anybody know of a flip key that is wide enough to do this for a nova without trimming the plastic?

[Asa-James]

as a thought could you not trim down the sides of the nova key? if i can find an old spare nova key i'll have another go this week