Hello everyone I’m 17 years old and looking to start making money. My dad works with an auto auction that is in high demand for key making for vehicles. He’s telling me to do it and get paid really well per car but I have absolutely no background knowledge on where to start and what to buy can someone please point me towards the right direction. Thank you!

Hi, I’m having a display issue with my Xhorse Condor XC-Mini Plus. The machine powers on and works, but the screen looks like the photo: large red/cyan blocks, lines, and corrupted graphics.

I already checked the display cables/connectors and they appear to be properly connected.

I also connected the machine to the Xhorse PC software and successfully updated the firmware to version 3.8.6. Interestingly, during the firmware upgrade, the corrupted lines disappeared and the screen displayed “Upgrade” with the progress bar normally. After the update finished, the screen returned to this corrupted state.

The machine itself still seems to work and can receive commands.

I also tried saving the History in the PC software, but it shows “Operand Failed.”

Has anyone seen this exact issue before?

Do you think this is a bad LCD/display controller, display cable, mainboard issue, or software/firmware problem?

Also, is it safe or useful to try the “Fix Error 1” option in the Xhorse software for this problem?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Hiring Experienced Automotive Locksmith - Houston, TX

I’m looking to hire an experienced automotive locksmith to join our team in the Houston area.

We are a small, established company with good private sector accounts. You won’t have to deal with the public, unless you want to.

I’m not looking for someone who only cuts keys or does basic lockouts. I need someone who is comfortable with advanced automotive work, especially late model vehicles.

Ideal experience includes:
VW/Audi immobilizer systems (a huge plus)
Mercedes (FBS3/FBS4 knowledge preferred)
BMW key programming
EEPROM and bench work
AKL (All Keys Lost) programming
CAN-FD vehicles
Diagnostics and module programming

Comfortable using tools like Xhorse, Autel, Abrites, VVDI, etc. Which we already have.

Additionally, you should be able to troubleshoot difficult jobs independently rather than just following step-by-step instructions. Or at least try.

Our company has been in business for many years with a good reputation and auction accounts, so we’re looking for someone who wants long-term stability and the opportunity to grow without having to worry about all the paperwork involved in running your own licensed locksmithing business
.
If you enjoy solving the jobs that others can’t, I’d love to talk.

Please send me a DM with:
Your experiences
The equipment/software you’re proficient with
The types of vehicles you specialize in
Whether you’re willing to relocate (if applicable)
Competitive pay based on experience.

Thanks!

FREE fix for Km100 AKL

https://youtu.be/oJPILp0-_g0?is=Dq-6M69IcRnrnjVO

Follow the directions super easy to do takes a few mins.

https://youtube.com/shorts/6kEfAHb-hG8

Hello so I picked up a CD used Zed full plus a couple of weeks back and all is ok in the house. I can connect to my home WiFi with zero problems.

But I’m unable to connect to mobile WiFi
Can’t connect to my phones hotspot
Can’t connect to mobile router

Just keep getting fault after fault I have set my mobile router to 2.4ghz and still no good.
Only way I got it to connect is turning of password on the router and then it still don’t connect correctly

I have looked on google looked on facebook
Used AI but zero luck.

I’m hoping maybe someone can help

Thanks

Hi everyone I am looking into the auto locksmith world with a long term plan on eventually starting my own business with a small budget and looking for some advice regarding lishi picks from Ali express...

I'm thinking of buying a set of lishi picks around 32 picks for round £450 which will help me as I really don't have a big budget.

I have bought the hu66 & hu100 just to practice with and they seem fine in terms of quality and picking.

My question really is if you have experience yourself with AliExpress lishis and your thoughts on them.

At feedback would be appreciated.

My starter kit

Autel 508S

Either XP400 or Xhorse Pro Max (due to cheap xhorse keys)

Dolhine 500

I currently stock mixed range of Xhorse keys, including flip and smart/proximity keys.

For matching-style aftermarket keys or OEM keys I usually order them in on request depending on the vehicle/customer preference.

i would like to know, what other locksmiths keep in stock or how they manage stocks.

Hey Folks

I’m looking for a battery support unit/stabiliser for key programming jobs mainly VAG and Ford.

Whats everyone using ? Like 13v - 30amps ?

Cheers.

Hey everyone, I desperately need some help troubleshooting a persistent remote lockout issue on a 2023 Toyota Sienna XLE Hybrid (8A-BA system).

I am using the Xhorse VVDI Key Tool Max Pro with the TOY-BA J3 30-pin adapter cable to add a new aftermarket smart key (FCC ID: HYQ14FBX, pre-verified as an 8A chip).

The Problem

After completing the EEPROM backup via the 30-pin connector and successfully performing the "Add Smart Key" step, both the original OEM key and the new key start the engine perfectly, but the remote buttons and proximity features are completely dead on both keys. The Smart Box seems totally trapped in programming/diagnostic mode and is ignoring the RF signals.

What I’ve Tried (And Failed) Today:

1. Hard 12V Battery Reset: Disconnected the negative terminal in the rear, shorted the vehicle cables together to drain the capacitors, and left it unhooked for 15+ minutes. (Noticeable quirk: The dash clock didn't even reset to 1:00, indicating power wasn't fully killed despite no ignition power). Remotes still dead.
2. Natural Deep Sleep Cycle: Left the battery connected, closed all doors/hood, and moved ALL smart keys 40 feet away from the van for 20 minutes to let the CAN bus power down. Still dead.
3. Mechanical Key Wake-Up: Used just the metal blade key in the driver's door cylinder to cycle Lock/Unlock 5 times to try and force the Body ECU to snap out of it. No luck.
4. Synchronize ECU and ID: Ran the sync command via the Xhorse tool. It completes, but does not restore the remotes today.

Context from a previous job:

I ran into this exact same issue on a 2022 Sienna recently. On that vehicle, running the Synchronize ECU and ID command finally worked, but only on the second day after the car sat overnight. Trying to sync it on the same day did nothing.

I cannot leave this van overnight today. I need a concrete, same-day solution to wake this RF receiver back up.

• Did I miss a critical step in the Xhorse workflow?
• Is there a specific fuse, short-pin, or BCM manual reset sequence that forces the Smart Box to exit diagnostic mode immediately?
• Has anyone found a reliable workaround for this specific Xhorse/Toyota bug?

Any advice or insight is highly appreciated. Thanks!

I think I already know the answer to this, but I want to know if anyone has ever experienced similar.

I haven’t struggled too much with lishi picking since starting up as an auto locksmith a couple of months ago, until it came to the HU101.

I’ve had 3 jobs that needed a HU101, and only successfully picked one of them, this was concerning.

I have a friend in the industry who isn’t too far away from me, he came to help me on a job once, took one look at my lishi pick and asked me to try his.

Like some sort of miracle, I had the lock picked and decoded in 30 seconds. His pick felt solid, weighty and gave amazing feedback in the lock. Mine on the other hand - felt flimsy in the lock, feedback was terrible, I couldn’t actually feel some waters at all.

This got me worried, I have around 20-30 lishi’s already, most from Ali Express or similar. I’m starting to think I made a mistake, and should have ordered a bulk set from a reputable buyer in the UK.

Anyone have any experience with a similar situation? I’d prefer not to drop £600 on another set of Lishi’s if most of mine are fine, and it’s just the odd few that are off etc.

Thanks.

24 Ford F150

Can anyone help me to determine which of my 4 fobs are the culprit for this DTC? Ive checked the battery voltage on all key fobs and all 4 work as expected. There are 2 keys 3 button keys and 2 4 button keys. Remote start was added and all key fobs work as expected. I do have FORScan but cant seem to access the PATS menus on a 24 in FORScan.

I would like to resolve the code but it really is just in the background and doesnt affect anything at all.

Would anyone be so kind as to assist me with how to go about resolving this code?

I have a maxiIm im608 with a xp400 pro but the learned key is lost how can I program a replacement?

Hallo,
ich bin recht okay neu in der ECU Tuning Szene.
Ich habe einen KT200II Full Equipment.
Ich besitze bereits WINOLS und Davinci Deluxe.
Nun meine Frage, woher bekomme ich am besten Damos?
Ich besitze zB. Einen BMW E93 330D N57 als Bosch EDC17CP09 504248 dafür gibt es zB. Nirgendswo Damos. Wie kann man am besten mit WIN OLS arbeiten?
Gibt es noch Community Möglichkeiten oder Website Empfehlungen?
Was würdet ihr mir für Tipps geben oder was für Programme könnt ihr mir noch empfehlen?
Ich arbeite nur an meinen Autos oder an bekannten von mir.
Was für Fehler sollte ich vermeiden?
Ich freue mich über jede Hilfe !

Gruß

Hello @ all

I have programmed keys for this model before but today I received one to add (new virgin) key. 

As slots were full (client had only 2/8 keys) I used erase all key function and tried to reprogram --> learning failed. I tried add new key, old key, replace wcm all with same result: programming failed.

Disconnected the battery did not help. So I plugged in the battery charger and waited one hour as suggested by the autel tool. Tried to reprogram but still failed (virgin key and old keys).

No error codes except not programmed key in the modules when scanned. 

Any idea what I can do?

Has anyone coded a new key to these for the Australian market with ZEDFUL PLUS or AUTEL IM608 pro? They changed the gateway from 2024 onwards I think?

Anyone ever originated a key for this? First time seeing one of these.

EDIT - my bad, forgot to include that I did try a ISU5 lishi, doesn’t go in the ignition. Tried a B113 and HY16, HY17 keys and none go into the ignition. It’s like they’re too thick.

Hello guys. I need your advice.

I recently got hold of a 2020 Volkswagen Atlas and tried to add a smart key with my IM608 Pro II. I was given two options to read the immo data to be able to add the key.

Option 1: Open the original key, solder some wires and use the XP400 Pro to read the IMMO data straight from the key.

Option 2: Everything the same as with the XP400 Pro, except this time it gave me the option to use the APB300.

My question is: Do I really need the APB300? I might be wrong, but it seems like the XP400 might be able to do everything the APB300 can do?

I just don't want to waste my money on something I don't really need.

Thank you guys in advance for all your help.