Replacement Keys and Fan Belt Changes

Just had the shock of my life when I went to my local autolocks and received a bill for £50 to have a duplicate key cut (since I currently have only one) my Jim is 12 years old and doesn't even have push button central locking! This cost is down to the fact that all Jimny keys have an inbuilt electronic immobiliser. May seem a stupid question but does anyone know of a cheaper solution or is it unavoidable. Also if I change/upgrade my engine at any time will this affect the key system via engine management.

Also, yesterday I drained and refilled/'antifreezed' my radiator. The plastic drain key is a nightmare to operate and I was wondering if removing the rad to flush it was easier especially since the alternator bottom pivot bolt is impossible to access without removing the rad - I need to adjust the fan belt tension.

Any help greatly appreciated, excuse the stupidity of my questions - just a beginner

Im getting one cut Wednesday and yes its about £60!! although £35 to me as he's a good mate

Can't comment on the rest

Access to the belt is easier with the rad removed so would solve 2 problems for you. To just drain the water though you can just remove the bottom hose. Personally though i don't like flushing through the rad unless its really necessary as it can move corrosion and either open up holes that have been happily plugged or move the corrosion about and block the rad. As a precaution on any old rad though i still drop some radweld in.

Yeah just wondering whether to persevere with one key - petrified what would happen if I lost it or snapped it though :ohmy:

The rad looks as if its not too old. I only flushed it a few times before filling it with 50/50 antifreeze mix since it recommends this in the manual. Thanks for the tip about removing the bottom hose, I think in future this would be alot easier than messing about with that infernal drain tap.

We only got one key with our Jimny, and it was on the verge of snapping.

I got 2 cheap keys cut for a tenner (without immobiliser chip), and tie wrapped the original to the sensor thingy next to the barrel on the steering column. Will have to modify the trim to get it back on, but so far so good.

Does anyone know if this will cause any problems long term?