Bought an MGF Today...

(One final question - has anyone had success in programming in a new fob for the remote locking? My car came with two keys and one fob, but I've got a couple of spares that I picked up in the scrap yard some time ago. It would be great to get one of these associated with the MGF.)

You may as suggested end up buying the P Scan software which is a very good idea, or there are specialists who will for a fee programme a fob for you.
Either way you can get a fob from remote key ltd. www.remotekey.co.uk tel 07846860993.
The fob will come with a unique code number on the packaging which is essential for a successful outcome.
The new frequency allocation as a point of interest does not just match the existing fob, a new frequency is during the process allocated to both fobs, this means anyone who has the old fob, ( if it exists) cannot use it to enter the vehicle.

Isn't it only the Mk2 TFs with Pektron fobs that need the fobs to be bought new with a code ?

You've mentioned an MGF but they and the Mk1 TFs can be paired to matching pre owned Lucas fobs

Thanks chaps - my car is a 2001 MGF, it's the 1.8 with no distributor if that's at all diagnostic!

I've got a few pre-owned fobs so it'd be great to know if I can use them.

A good rule of thumb on key fobs is shape. Pektron cars have an elliptical fob, these are programmable problematic.
You need the correct coding & a device to program the unit.
The earlier cars with the Lucas system have a fat trapezoid fob. With the kit & providing the device is functioning you can breathe a sigh of relief.
A device like the Pscan will make short work of programming the Lucas system without special bar codes.
I’m away & don’t have my notes to fully qualify these comments, if I’m up the shoot someone with add a correction.
M

Is there a letter/number code on the back of the square Lucas fob that you have ?

Where are you? You've probably mentioned it but I don't recall. I did try and look at your profile but that information has not been filled out. If you Are in Australia, Japan or maybe New Zealand (not sure about this last one) and/or your car was delivered new to those markets you will need the fobs to use 315Mhz.
All other markets should use 433Mhz.

Different Countries have different specifications, This is why adding you approximate location on your profile is a good idea it helps us help you, we don't need or want your exact address just country and state/province/county or nearest large city would be useful. This last bit would help us recommend suppliers of parts ans services near you.

Since you are living near or in Cambridge in UK your fob frequency will be 433 MHz. As you stated your car is 2001 so you will have Lucas fob. 
That fob can be paired to you Lucas 5AS alarm system with specialized software. As I said previously in this thread, we mostly use PScan on this forum.

Fobs you have at you, if they are the same shape as your working one, can be used, but you need to make sure they are not of 3TXA type as they will not work with your car. Type of fob usualy is written on the back of the case, however since cases are swapped around, the best is to open the fob (like you want to change the battery in the fob) and look what is written inside on the PCB (printed circuit board) of the fob.

Also, take due care that when you start programming new fob to the car, it will arease your old fob from its list, so you need to program your new and your old fob again.

Cobber wrote:

Where are you? ... This is why adding you approximate location on your profile is a good idea it helps us help you, we don't need or want your exact address just country and state/province/county or nearest large city would be useful. This last bit would help us recommend suppliers of parts and services near you.

Thanks Cobber - that's a very good idea!  Only problem is I can't find out how to add it to my profile - I only seem to have gender and birth date available as fields in 'About Me'.  I've obviously missed something!!

Anyway, I'm based just south of Cambridge UK.

 

Ah we seem to have lost that, my bad I didn't notice, we must've lost it all it the last site update it was only recent.

Roverlike wrote:

That fob can be paired to you Lucas 5AS alarm system with specialized software. As I said previously in this thread, we mostly use PScan...

... if they are the same shape as your working one, can be used, but you need to make sure they are not of 3TXA type as they will not work with your car. .

Here's the back of my car's working fob:

And the backs of the two fobs I obtained from the scrapper are like this one.

Another little conundrum is that my car didn't come with its Security Information Card so I don't have the 4 digit emergency access code should I ever need it.  Is that something I can read from the ECU using PScan? - if so I think I may just buy a copy as it'll also be useful for my Rover 75 Tourer.

In other news, it was another good day for the MG: I paid a visit to the MGOC which is not far from me and picked up 5L of 10w40 Castrol Magnatec, oil filter, sump bolt washer, OAT coolant, Hydrogas fluid and a spare expansion cap to keep in the car for emergencies.  My hydragas pump also arrived so I pumped up the suspension,  It went to about 450 PSI on both sides, but it didn't lift the car further than about 340 mm from wheel centre to wheel arch lip.  I had read somewhere that this is about right for a lowered car - I wonder if mine is one of those....

Anyway, it's now got a sump full of new oil, and I also had time to take two of the wheels to my local mechanic, to get the new tyres fitted.  The MoT is booked for 14th May so my fingers remain crossed - it's not been tested since 2022.

 

Yes, you will be able to read EKA code with PScan without any problem.

Regarding your fobs, if cases are original, and not changed, then you should be able to use them (if they are operational).

Since you'll be opening them up to give them a feed of new batteries.......You will replace the batteries before you start, won't you!! 
Then I seem to recall those fob numbers like 17TN or 3TXB etc  were also on the printed circuit boards, I could of course be wrong as it was a long time ago.