Ross-Dean Locksmiths

2nd May 201931st December 2021

Importance of the backup key in a VW Passat dash remote.

A customer was suddenly unable to open his VW Passat using the remote. The remote battery had gone flat, and by the time the battery had been replaced it had lost synchronisation with the car. (To start this car the whole remote slots into the dashboard. There is no ignition barrel).

Ordinarily that’s not a problem because the emergency backup key could be used to open the door. Not in this case, the backup key had been lost.

Fortunately we were able to open the car for the customer, synchronise the remote again, and cut a replacement backup key for the customer.

If you’ve lost your backup key, think about what you’d do if the remote is flat, or goes through the washing machine.

24th April 20191st January 2022

Land Rover and Range Rover Remotes

This is an aftermarket remote ready for cutting and programming into Land Rover Discovery 04-09 or Range Rover Sport 05-09. We can also supply and program other LR/RR remotes. (Either genuine OEM or aftermarket).

23rd December 20181st January 2022

Ford Fiesta key

Typically an old, worn Tibbe key will have a similarly worn lock too. This is a Fiesta lock being stripped down. Normally the dustcover has badly worn and will grab a newly cut key and make it difficult, or impossible to remove from the lock.

You can gently chamfer the key so that that the key can pull out, or just remove the dust cover and keep the key sharp.

16th December 201831st December 2021

Transit remote…. through a washing machine.

Electronic PCBs don’t like getting wet, let alone going through a full hot wash. It might have been OK without the hole in the case. Here’s a remote we had to replace for a customer.

Ford transit remote replacment — Transit blue remotes

30th November 201825th May 2020

Replacement car keys.

Here are a few keys and remotes that we’ve programmed recently

Modern vehicles have immobilisers fitted to prevent theft. These immobilisers look for a transponder chip in the key or the remote. It must be the exact same chip programmed into the vehicle for it to start. Although somebody else’s key may open your locks (a slim possibility) it will not start your vehicle unless your immobiliser has been previously been programmed to accept it. The metal part of the key is very cheap to replicate. To replace the transponder can involve quite a lot of work.

The latest type vehicles with smart remotes that you can keep in your pocket are actually quite vulnerable to theft. It is possible that a thief can steal your vehicle if your remote is in range. These smart / proximity remotes should not be kept within range of your vehicle. Keep them at the back of the house, or invest in a blocker bag, or metal box.

27th November 201817th March 2024

Misted ‘blown’ double glazing replacement

When double glazing becomes misty or full of condensation it is an indication that the seal between the glass has failed. A blown double glazed panel also won’t be as thermally efficient.

Below is an example of the improvement achieved by replacing a misty double glazed unit.

misty double glazing — Misty ‘blown’ double glazing

Replacement double glazing — Replaced double glazed unit

Double glazed units come in several thicknesses. This is set by the UPVC frame that you have. To increase the insulation of the glass you’ll be looking for coated glass and argon filled. Coated glass such as ‘Low E’ will have the benefit of being cooler in summer as it can reflect solar radiation.

Panels that are low to the floor will probably have to be BS or toughened glass. This is to protect children who may run into it and otherwise shatter the glass into dangerous shards.

21st November 2018

Replacement car keys for Honda Jazz

Customer only ever had 1 key for their Honda Jazz, and when they lost that key their car was immobilised in a pay and display car park. We made a new key in situ, and also made their first remote key since having the car.

5th November 201831st December 2021

That time of year again.

As Winter turns to Spring, or Autumn turns to winter there is always a peak in the number of UPVC door mechanisms failing. If your door is difficult to lock or unlock, get your door adjusted before the mechanism breaks and jams the door locked or unlocked.

Corrective adjustment of a UPVC door before it breaks is much cheaper than a repair.

UPVC door mechanisms waiting for the scrap man.

28th October 201810th November 2018

Faulty UPVC window mechanism.

A customer’s UPVC window wouldnt open. It’s obvious why when you look at the photo. There were 4 or 5 other bits of broken cog but I dropped them in long grass.

This is a Coldseal Tallon mechanism. It was discontinued many years ago. To replace it a completely different mechanism has to be adapted in order to repair the UPVC window.

7th October 201812th February 2024

Repairing Land Rover Freelander remote

Land Rover Freelander 2 remote repair. These remotes do not have an easily replaced battery. It’s actually soldered onto the circuit board. It isn’t a difficult job to replace the battery, but be very careful what your’re touching with the heat gun/soldering iron – especially if you’ve only got the one remote.