Snapped ignition key

Hi guys

I've just went and snapped my ignition key and after a long walk home to get the spare I found out that it would not start the car. it would turn over but not start. I'm thinking the gray key must be an imobiliser key however I didn't think my Jimny had an imobliser fitted. (its an X reg 2001 Jimny JLX 4X4 without ABS).

For the life of me I don't know why I tried the following but it seemed to work and got the car started.

As I turned the spare key in the ignition I made sure the metal of the snapped key was touching the metal of the spare key and hay presto it started. I got home and tried it several more times and it worked again.

Is this right or am I missing something.

Also does anyone know how much a new key will cost from Suzuki in the UK.

there is a chip in the grey key & there is a sensor that is on the ignition barrol behind the plastic suround

as long as you hold the grey plasic bit next to the ignition it will pick up the signal & allow you to start the car

that black key has no chip in it so you can't start it with just that key

i know a few people who have snaped the chiped key , most just tape the snaped key inside the cowling and leave it there

Ah right thanks. So as long as I've got both keys with me I'll be OK until I get a new key?

yep, should be.

Thanks, It might have to do for a wile because no doubt new keys from Suzuki wont be cheap...!

you can get them elsewhere like key cutters who can copy the code if you take the broken key with you
prices vary between £20 and £60 but I'd imagine Suzuki would be much dearer (if its like fiat £200 :ohmy: )

I've only had my jimny 6 month so don't know for sure if both keys are the original keys supplied with the car but if they are whats is the point of a spare key that won't operate the imobiliser? I mean what if I had lost the key thinking I had a spare that would work.....!

some ones probably had it cut on the cheap with out the chip so they could sell it with two keys

Yeah your probably right, Guess I should get two keys then....!

he past iv used the old snapped key by tieing it under the collum close to the ignition switch and just had a stardard key cut genrally the key only needs to be near the ignition barrel not metal to metal contact chiped keys can be very exspensive but this fix is cheap and dose work just an idea may hel you get back on the road

Cheers Russell, I've put both keys on the same key ring and it works so it'll do till I can get two new keys. I wouldn't want to leave the imobiliser key in the car...!