B9 door locks

[ChrisD]

I've recently bought a 2009 B9 Berlingo, and I've only got one key, which works fine using the remote buttons.

The helpful chap at Timpson's said that he could make a non-remote copy, but that I should first check that using a manual key wouldn't set the alarm off.

Imagine my surprise when I discovered that they key doesn't actually fit in either of the locks at all!  It will go in about 20mm, which doesn't seem enough, but not turn.

I don't want to force it or risk breaking they key, and I haven't tried lubricating the lock mechanism yet.

Any suggestions?  Would it take a Citroen dealer to sort this out?  I'd like to have a spare key, and be able to get into the car if the remote battery fails.

Happy 2021, by the way.

Cheers,

Chris

[Pedronicus]

Are we talking about the existing key not going all the way into the lock or the Timpson's one?

Can't check on my XTR as it's in for surgery but have checked the wife's van and the key goes into the lock by 34mm. Sounds like your vehicle could have had a problem with the ignition barrel and maybe had a new one with remote key fitted and relies on the remote to lock/unlock the doors. Worst case scenario is that you would have to have ALL the lock barrels and ignition barrel changed and new remote keys supplied and set up to the vehicle.

[Sol]

If the key fits the ignition barrel and I'm assuming it does, or you couldn't drive it of course, then it's likely at some point the barrel and perhaps ECU & BSI have been swapped. This can happen due to problems with the BSI, water ingress or just failure being most likely although not common. Generally they are reliable but complex and often misunderstood.

One individual part of this system can't easily be swapped out unless software resetting is done first, and then it needs reprogrammed which is not really in the scope of the common user, or indeed a lot of garages.

Best case is to see if you have a key code card in the owners pack, it may be possible to get a blade cut from a code that will fit the doors, but have never looked into this on a Citroen. It can be done that way on other makes.

Alternatively, a set of door lock barrels and a matching key may be the easiest route.

Sorry P, we must have been typing at the same time!

[ChrisD]

I guess I could live with separate keys for doors and ignition, so new barrels for the doors would be relatively simple -- assuming that the central locking would still work.

Timpsons couldn't do a remote key, so I didn't get one from there at all. Can other locksmiths or Citroen dealers clone remote keys?

[Sol]

Citroen dealers can supply new remote keys, old ones from other cars can't as far as I know, be programmed to your BSI's immobiliser function. Not cheap though. Might be £150 to £200 for a second HF remote key. Then, you can get the key blade cut to match your ignition and swapped out, as they would supply a key matched to your VIN record I expect, that would fit the doors but not the ignition if it has been swapped out.

The HF remote part is matched to the BSI for opening the door, that part is pretty easy and can be done with Lexia & DiagBox, then the other part is the transponder chip for the immobiliser - it can't be a used one and has to be new. Also can be programmed to the BSI immobiliser with Lexia & DiagBox.

Easiest for you if you can stand the cost is a good Citroen indy or a dealer.

You might try Mark Lightfoot @Lighty on here, he may be near your neck of the woods (Ilkston) and is a very well respected PSA independent. His website is https://www.marklightfoot.co.uk/ and his phone number is 0115 932 8396

[ChrisD]

I finally got round to sorting this out.

A local locksmith did the job: he said that the door locks jamming was a common problem with this type of lock, and he stripped the locks down and rebuilt them.  He said something about wedges getting out of alignment, and that it wouldn't happen again.  That cost me £125.

He also sold me a new remote key for £150.  So now I've got two proper keys that work remotely, in the ignition, and in the doors.

It wasn't a question of the door locks or the ignition switch having been previously replaced after all.

Now I just need the little bit of trim that goes round the keyhole on the driver's door...