Triton Keyless entry remote

What you were told (can't comment on the costs) from the dealer is/would be correct.

As it's part of ARD 82 - engine immobiliser ADR – endorsed on 16 January 2001, determined on 13 February 2001 and gazetted on 2 March 2001.

Check to see if ADR 82 is on the plate in the engine bay as the year model you stated is in the range of the ADR. I would think this time around, swallow hard and pay up. Might also be worth asking your insurance company if they cover those sort of things if lost, stolen or damaged - most would I would think.

If you can get the keys insured, make sure it's listed on the policy - just like bull bars, winches etc.

Hope this helps.

Had these dramas with a magna a little while back. There is an immobiliser chip in the key which is read by the ignition and talks to the ECU somehow. If you bugger the key, the car will crank, but engine will not run.
A cheaper key was sourced at trade price by chatting to a panel beater and getting him to organise it thru mitsubishi (which seems the ONLY way we found of getting it cheaper than what youquoted)
The option of a new ignition barrel and matching keys is there, but I imagine you will likely have dramas further down the track, esp if they cant match up your VIN to the ignition and you dont have the full details of the replacement.

With the remote- going for an aftermarket alarm will get you replacement remotes, and probably the installation of the alarm will give you 10% off your insurance too. May be worth investigating.

Either way, the price you mentioned for cutting a key is not over the top- Ford keys are much the same price.

I just had a chat with a mate who also copped the same drama and he says
Yes, get a piece of paper that says ORDER No 1234 from Bulldust Auto Repairs and give it to the Magna dealer (tell him you are a backyarder)

I guess it comes down to who you speak to.

Thanks heaps for your help. I guess I've learnt a lesson here when buying my next vehicle! Could a remote from a wreckers be reprogrammed?

Thanks BenSpoon
Your probably right, I'll make some phone calls to wreckers. Unfortunately I dont know anyone in the industry so I think I may end up getting one genuine key cut and buy an accessory car alarm to get the remotes. (This would be cheaper than one original remote!)

Cheers
BJ