MG 5 Key Programming

[davehedgehog31]

Hi folks,

I'll stop short of calling this a proper guide, but I've successfully used the SAIC SIPS program and clone VDI3 tool to program a new key for my pre-FL MG5, I thought it may be useful for others.

This was the key I bought for my 72 plate pre facelift long range Exclusive, I don't imagine they changed much but if you want to absolutely confirm compatibility before buying I would open the key up and check the numbers on the board. Important to note that it must be 433MHZ for a UK market car.

OEM Smart keyless key suitable for MG 5 433MHz ID47 HU100 - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/196357541144

I won't reinvent the wheel with this and cheekily redirect you to @xblackwolf90's excellent Tesla upgrade guide. If you follow his guide, stopping at the step "identify and install the update" this will have you up and running in SIPS - [Guide] DIY Tesla Compatibility Update for MG5

From there, you want to:

• Go to "Programming and Coding"
• Choose the BCM (Body Control Module)
• At the bottom of the screen choose "Add Key"
• The prompts will guide you from this point, click next
• You will need to move the existing key away from the car and place the new key to be programmed in the cup holder which has a small key symbol printed inside it.
• Continue to follow the prompts and your car will suddenly shut down and then restart.
• Once all prompts have been dismissed you will receive a message to say the key has been programmed.
• Remove the cable, turn the car off
• Test function of the new key

You'll need to get the key blade cut somewhere, I'd personally try and find an independent key cutting place as opposed to Timpsons, they're expensive in my experience.

I'm in Ayrshire, if anyone local needs a key programming I can help if you pay the ~£7 for an hours access to SIPS and with the caveat I am absolutely not a professional, although this operation is extremely low risk there would be zero warranty implied or given!

 

[Jymbob]

This guide is great. Unfortunately I'm an idiot and after successfully programming two keys then thought "oh hang on, I should remove the lost key while I'm here" and managed to stop the new ones working again.



(2 hours later) Okay, I'm only a partial idiot.

I went back to the car and started with the original key, which at this point was starting the car but not working for keyless entry. Went to "program" - it said "success" then an error, then said "add another?"

Figuring I had nothing to lose, I grabbed one of the other keys, dropped it in the cup holder and... IT WORKED! WHAT??

I quickly did the third one, which initially said "no suitable device in range" but then worked after a retry.

It turns out that it really does need to be on top of the sensor. I don't know if the batteries in them are poor (will replace later) but I now have three keys which will unlock and start the car, albeit the latter two need to be physically in the cup holder at the moment!

 

[davehedgehog31]

Glad you found the guide useful @Jymbob and that you're all sorted by sounds of things!

Not on my MG, but I recently programmed a key for my other car and it's a similar arrangement where you place it near a sensor, I had to take it out of the casing to get it to pick it up for programming purposes.

 

[Jymbob]

Yeah, the two off-brand keys I got are both significantly weaker in terms of getting detected. I'm going to have a look at if it's possible to increase the signal somehow, maybe dremmelling out the plastic a bit as it's annoying having to take the key out of my pocket.

 

[smokie]

That's handy, I could be tempted, thanks.

Aliexpress has the blanks for a bit over £12 delivered.

 

[Gomev]

Hi folks,

...

This was the key I bought for my 72 plate pre facelift long range Exclusive, I don't imagine they changed much but if you want to absolutely confirm compatibility before buying I would open the key up and check the numbers on the board. Important to note that it must be 433MHZ for a UK market car.

OEM Smart keyless key suitable for MG 5 433MHz ID47 HU100 - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/196357541144

...

If you weren't bothered about the remote buttons or using the blade, (i.e. just use for keyless entry and starting the car) would any old cheap transponder key available on eBay for less than a tenner be suitable provided it was 433MHZ ?
Or even the packs of just the transponder chips ?

 

[Jymbob]

I bought these - specifically the ID 47 -7953X variant. I've seen some comments about it needing to be a blank key but haven't tried. Aliexpress dynamic pricing in effect - I paid £18.59 each in November and if you're new to the site they're probably even cheaper. Took about 2 weeks to arrive.

 

[MickeySw]

any old cheap transponder key available on eBay for less than a tenner be suitable provided it was 433MHZ ?
Or even the packs of just the transponder chips ?

Standard transponder keys don’t have a battery to boost their signal and need to be in close proximity to the sender/receiver circuit of the car…