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-   -   DIY: Flippy Key (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/diy-do-yourself/158007-diy-flippy-key-5.html)

Did someone have some luck converting the Renault Dusters' key to a flip one ?

Ford key converted to Flippy. Just sent the photo of the key to the Aliexpress seller, amazes me how they exactly did the cutting with just a photo.
Both keys work, chip also purchased from Aliexpress

That's a good fit. Can you send me the link of the seller. Let me ask him about Duster also.

Got a flippy key for my A-Star for Rs.456 + Rs.300 to the key walla.
This is a different design from the OP. Out of the box, it seemed to be of better quality and weight than the stock key.


Stock key:
Without modules: 18g
With modules: 26g

Flippy Key:
Without modules: 43g
With modules installed: 51g

Got the key blade shaped, installed the module and immobilizer, pressed the unlock button and nothing happened!
The manual locks worked and the engine would start but the lock/unlock module would not work. I swapped the modules with the spare key and again no response. After some fiddling realized that the lock/unlock would work perfectly when the module was outside the flip key but not inside though the tactile feel of the button presses felt unobstructed.
There seemed to be some signal attenuation inside the flip key so removed the metallic parts one by one and yet no result.


Then it dawned on me that the thin chrome ring which I presumed was plastic could be the culprit. Removed that bit and now it worked!
The chrome ring has a feeble attraction to a magnet so there indeed was some metal in it though it seemed less metallic than even the tiny screw the key fob came with.


Out of curiosity I cut a section of the ring but could not discern any wire within.
Now that it was cut, ideally it should change the attenuation properties of the ring so put it back on the flippy key and sure enough it didnt seem to interfere with the signal anymore. Job done.
This was odd because there were many reviews and videos where folks had this working without any issues. There seems to be some corner case with my 2009 stock key and this flippy key.

Looks better in person than this pic and feels good to hold :)


Bonus pic of the car after a fresh coat of Collinite 845:

Having used the stock key for several years, and having gotten over the new key honeymoon, this flipping business feels a bit of a faff.
For example, in the A-Star the only way to open the boot from outside is by using the key. Flip out - open boot- keep stuff - close boot - flip in. While carrying stuff/kid in one hand, the flipping becomes annoying. My kid finds the shine key very attractive while she didnt bat an eyelid at the stock one all these years - another point of contention.
With these constraints, I have relegated the flip key to solo drives only. It does feel good to use on these once in a while drives and also helps appreciate the simplicity of the stock key. :)

How is it now? Are you still using it? I’m considering switching to a flip key, but none of the ones I’ve tried so far feel premium or have satisfying buttons. Currently, I’m searching online for something more solid. How about yours?

So far it has been going ok. I continue to use it when I drive out alone. I feel it's worth a try for the amount. If you don't like it you can always go back - I haven't :)
Mine does feel solid and has some weight to it. Feels good to hold.
This one does not come with any buttons, it uses the same key module in entirety from the stock key.