Hey guys,
First post, because until recently I'd never had custody of Subaru. Now I do. A backpacking friend, who is currently sailing a boat from Australia to New Zealand, gave me (another backpacker) his keys and told me to have fun for a few months. Which I'd been doing until... I dropped the main set of keys into the ocean whilst boarding a passenger ferry. I know, hopeless right.
I have a spare key which gets me into the car but because the immobiliser is activated won't start it So after two days of hunting for the keys with magnets, dragnets and wetsuits, I called a locksmith and have been quoted nearly $1000 AUD to get her running again. This is money I simply don't have.
So I am wondering if anyone here has any suggestions? I have frankly no idea what to do !
There's currently a reward out for the local kids but would the key even work if they found it?
Is there anyway to do this for a more reasonable sum?
Any help would be appreciated. Feel free to PM if that's possible.
Thanks,
Ryan

 

the transponder in the drowned key would work with the spare key to allow you to start it, but without buying a 2nd hand ecu with transponder then you`re a bit stuck.

 

Does the car not have the keypad for the immobiliser so you can deactivate it and also reprogram a new key?

 

ossett2k2, I am super excited by what you're saying but I also have no idea of the answer to that question nor how to answer it...? Again, hopeless!

 

The key looked like this if it's any help


The key looked like this!

 

Keypad is usually located in the glovebox.
Seems there's a few different systems fitted to the forester,here are a couple of links I've come across that might be of help?

http://offroadsubarus.com/showthread.php?t=4889

http://www.scoobypedia.co.uk/index.p...RemoteControls

 

I haven't seen a keypad and doubt it has one...

 

I have tagged @Don Clark
This member is very knowledgeable about all things Subaru
He might be along to offer some better advice?

I only work on classic gc8 so only offered advice on your car from things I've read on the forum. I always thought all non JDM newage cars had a keypad for immobiliser.
Hope you can get it sorted mate.

 

Edit,forgot how to tag a member lol

 

Just confirmed, definitely doesn't have a keypad...

 

That would be because Australian cars don't have our (UK) Sigma alarm system fitted.

Your best bet for "local" advise would be to post on

http://ozfoz.com/forum/index.php

Does your "spare" key lock/unlock the doors using the buttons on it??

If yes then the keyless entry part of the system is working, if not the key can be reprogrammed quite easily which may also allow you to start it.

 

A Subaru dealer can program a new transponder key to the car, but I'm almost certain you need at least 1 original transponder key to do this that's already coded to the car.


Might still be worth asking the Subaru main dealer for their advice just in case.