Curious as to whether anyone else has experienced this problem...I am about to give the car to the Tech folks to install a clutch. Thought I'd be clever and give them the so-called emergency key. BAD idea. I inserted it in the ignition slot and then (of course) it wouldn't come out. Not even a suggestion. Luckily I had a lil knive and an old poker tool with a 90degree hook at the end. Used the knive to pop open the back of the key which had a hole in the middle. I then used the hook tool to grab it and then yanked it out. Damn! An AM should NOT have such a jenky-a*# arrangement. Or, am I confused?
Plse - all thoughts appreciated. After a new clutch, I am sure a new Key would be crazee-expensive. Update: 1st- the key was inserted both ways, and became stuck both times. By "stuck" I mean would not spring back out. I checked w/ John at Steel Wings (love them!) and he said he gets many (maybe 50%?) of his AM's in the shop w/ the black plastic key, and no issues. He also noted that that this key is likely a Volvo part. Not sure that info will help me - so, what are my next steps if I want two (2) functioning keys for my car? (I know - crazy, right?)

hook tool is now worth its weight in GOLD!

 

That's not an emergency key, just an alternate "cheaper" key (also know as a valet key".

I believe the internals are a Volvo part, but the case (and thus a whole key) is not.

The only problem I had with the plastic keys is that the buttons wear out very quickly.

 

thank you very much J-D

 

The emergency key is the Ford skeleton key that will open your door when your fob is not working or your battery is dead. If you don't have one, you can order one at the dealer or Astonmartinbits.

I've found that my crystal key occasionally gets caught somehow and I continue pushing in at different angles until it releases freely. The plastic key is dimensionally the same as the crystal key.

 

Thanks all.....!

 

I've noticed that if you have any stickers or labels on the key, it gets stuck. Usually just bump the console around the key with my fist to get it to pop out

 

I guess there is a chance that if that plastic key got really hot at some point, it could have warped.

 

agreed.

 

I use mine (plastic key) all the time. Never an issue.

 

As others have said, it’s a valet key, dimensionally identical to the glass key/or preposterously named ECU ‘emotion control unit’. They can get stuck, again, as others have intimated when they are no longer the precise dimensions they need to be for the release mechanism to work, this can be warping or swelling of the case or buttons, labels or stickers esp if they are coming unstuck. The same problem can present with the glass key, though far less often, and problems with releasing the glass key are more likely to be years of accumulated dirt and debris inside the mechanism, or even component wear/spring relaxation.

In your case I’d check the dimensions of the plastic unit in comparison to the glass one, and take it from there. If it’s been left in direct sun and warped, you might be able to get someone to 3D print a new case, or find one on ebay, maybe even a cooler case. It’s very easy to swap the internals over. It’s also good advice to keep the ‘keys’ as clean as possible.

 

Great points, all! Many Thanks - my 'key' has somehow grown fat and, while easily going in, will NOT pop back out. Perhaps this is the best route to go...? https://astonmartinbits.com/models/5...-17/parts/4944. Thoughts all?

 

I bought one of those from ambits a few months ago to tidy up my worn valet key. You just swap the internals from your old one to the new one. That includes the little chip that's glued in and has to be cut out, moved, and glued in to the new case. Easy.

If you want to spend more, these guys will do pretty much anything "phoenixbespokekeys . com/product/aston-martin-glass-ecu-key-button-upgrade/"

 

oh ok....may I ask what tool you used and if you used glue (super glue or something easier to work with?). Thanks for the details - I will order it!

 

Can't remember if it was a razor blade or exacto knife -- anything thin and sharp to cut between the chip and case, I think I used a drop of clear silicone to stick it in the new one.

See this post: https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...ml#post4801819

 

Many Thanks!