Services

At Key Doctor we work on all vehicle brands, including high-end marques like BMW and Mercedes-Benz — using the same specialist diagnostic and programming equipment for every job.

BMW X3 with two BMW smart keys, cut and programmed by Key Doctor

All Keys Lost

When you've lost every key to your vehicle, there's no shortcut — done properly, it's a full module-level job, not a five-minute fix. Depending on the vehicle, that means safely gaining entry, reading data directly from the vehicle's ECU and immobilizer module on the bench, and programming a new key from the codes retrieved — before anything goes back into the car. On a BMW F-series, for example, that's ECU and FEM module work and a full immobilizer reset, done with the right equipment by someone who's done it before.

Because of the work involved, All Keys Lost typically runs around three times the cost and twice the time of cutting a spare key in advance — one more reason it's worth having a spare cut before you need one.

Vehicle immobilizer module being programmed with a new key by Key Doctor Mercedes-Benz ignition module with two newly cut and programmed keys Vehicle immobilizer circuit board being read for all-keys-lost key programming Mercedes-Benz ignition module, steering lock emulator and new key used for all-keys-lost programming

Get an All Keys Lost Quote on WhatsApp or email us at info@keydoctor.co.za

Spare Keys

Not every spare key job is the same. Common models — most Toyotas, for instance — are usually straightforward. Others, like BMW and VW, are a different story: cutting a spare on these can involve nearly the same module-level process as an All Keys Lost job, just with your original key still in hand while we work. Whatever the vehicle, a spare is always cheaper and faster to get now than after you've lost your only key.

White Toyota Corolla Cross with two cut keys, serviced by Key Doctor Blue VW Scirocco with two cut keys at Key Doctor's Polokwane workshop BMW X3 with two BMW smart keys, cut and programmed by Key Doctor Mercedes-Benz ignition module with two newly cut and programmed keys

Get a Spare Keys Quote on WhatsApp or email us at info@keydoctor.co.za

Key Repairs

Most of what comes across our bench is physical damage — cracked casings, worn or broken buttons — long before the electronics inside give up. Left alone, that damage is usually what lets water and dirt in and takes the electronics down with it too. We repair both the shell and the electronics, and the earlier a damaged key comes in, the more likely it's a simple fix rather than a full rebuild.

Key remote circuit board clamped for repair at Key Doctor Opened key fob showing water-damaged circuit board being repaired Disassembled MINI key fob being repaired by Key Doctor Key remote circuit board clamped in a vice for repair at Key Doctor

Get a Key Repair Quote on WhatsApp or email us at info@keydoctor.co.za

ECU Cloning & Programming

Cloning and programming solve the same problem in very different ways. Cloning copies the existing memory from one ECU to another — which also means copying across whatever's wrong with it. If the original data is corrupted or damaged, cloning transfers that problem straight into the replacement. Programming avoids that risk by writing clean data instead of duplicating a possibly faulty original.

We work on ECUs across almost all brands and model years; which approach is right depends on the actual condition of your current ECU, and if there's no ECU to work from at all, programming is the only option. Outside of chip tuning, if it involves an ECU, we can help.

Close-up of an ECU circuit board being cloned and programmed by Key Doctor Vehicle ECU connected to Key Doctor's programming equipment Opened ECU unit with circuit board exposed for programming Key Doctor technician using hot air rework equipment on an ECU board

Get an ECU Cloning & Programming Quote on WhatsApp or email us at info@keydoctor.co.za