Hi bravo can any one shed light on this subject of the key re-programming -
Check out this thread the one second from the bottom is the one apparently you can virginize the second hand card then get it reprogrammed by a mobile car locksmith or renault.(cut and past this link into your browser -interhttp://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=41341esting ).
Hi, I specialise in repairing remote contols, if you have renault keycards with the buttons not working, I can repair them at a reasonable price. (£25.00 - 30.00 usually) I can also supply new "virgin" keycards, or, if you have a keycard which is used i.e. from another Renault car, I can virginise it so that it can be programmed to your vehicle by a local locksmith with the correct equipment.
But then there is this so the jury is still out!!
Second Hand Cards
This extract taken from www.renaultforums.co.uk
I cannot recommend this site enough for all things Renault.
As of 4 June 2006 You will NOT be able to buy a new keycard from Renault without supplying the VIN number and proof of ownership of the vehicle.
The reason behind this is due to a major security issue that has been discovered outside the UK. The scenario is this. You take your vehicle for some work to be carried out. The dodgy technician has a blank keycard. He programs that keycard to your vehicle. Then they either come to your home address and steal the vehicle or sell the key and the address to a friend who then steals it
So the procedure is that you or us a dealer has to provide customer specific details to Renault France who will authorise the card to be ordered. The card then arrives at the dealership with your VIN number already coded to it. We then apply to Renault for the programming code and have 1 hour to program the key before the code expires.
So if anyone is considering buying a New key from Ebay for example. You will NOT be able to get it programmed fullstop as the Clip will not allow a non Vin encoded key to be programmed as explained above. Note also that a new Vin encoded key Cannot be programmed to any other vehicle even if it has not been programmed to the original one.
Simon
May 2010