DIY: Acura TL Switchblade Key Fob
Just got the dealer to program the key today, and isn't she a beauty! I know it's a small thing, but it's the little things we appreciate in life. ^^ All told, it was about 80 bucks start to finish. About 30 for the key, 10 for the cover, and 40 for him to program it.
Thanks for pointing me to the ebay auction with the key. I just purchased one.
Did you try to program the remote yourself using the guide on the first page of this DIY?
New Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 9
From: Rochester, NY
That's only for the TL as there's a removable immobilizer chip in the older Fits. The GEs don't have it anymore, so there's really no point in disassembling the key unless you want to do the trunk delete. Just have to key the fob to the car so it can unlock and lock the car like on the first page, and then take it to the dealer to get them to cut and program the immobilizer.
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 102
From: Chandler, AZ
Can't you just get one of these: HONDA 3 BUTTON SWITCHBLADE REMOTE KEY CONVERSION CASE
Then switch out the guts and get the key cut?
Then switch out the guts and get the key cut?
That's only for the TL as there's a removable immobilizer chip in the older Fits. The GEs don't have it anymore, so there's really no point in disassembling the key unless you want to do the trunk delete. Just have to key the fob to the car so it can unlock and lock the car like on the first page, and then take it to the dealer to get them to cut and program the immobilizer.
New Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8
From: Manteca, CA
Just ordered my TL Fob and RDX cover from my dealer. Its nice being at an Acura dealership. I get a discount!!! They will both be in on Monday and I'm gonna have the key cut and then I'll program it to my car myself. All I gotta do is the trunk delete.
Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 91
From: Canton, NC
New Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8
From: Manteca, CA
Got my TL key in yesterday. Did the trunk delete and put the RDX faceplate on it. Looks awesome. Had the Honda dealer cut it for me and I took it to my work at Acura and programmed it for free. We usually charge 1 hour to program keys (110$)!!! All works great and looks awesome.
Got my TSX key programmed today and Im very happy with the results. Thanks to all who pointed us '09 guys to this mod.
Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 189
From: PHX
just check around. it can get relatively cheap. Mine was from a dealer that happens to sell on eBay.
eBay Motors 2009 TSX key Mem-2
and you can ask them about getting the RDX cover for a trunk delete.
eBay Motors 2009 TSX key Mem-2
and you can ask them about getting the RDX cover for a trunk delete.
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 542
From: Northeast GA
I got a new (to me) Fit. It only came with 1 key. I kept one key from my other Fit, and used the chip and remote for this mod. I bought the eBay version.
It works! BUT--
the blank was thinner than the OEM version, by about 0.1-0.2 mm. When the dealership had it cut, the thin part in the middle was left too thick, so the key could not be inserted into the door lock completely. Therefore, the key would start the car, but not operate the door lock.
After 3 passes in the cutting machine, it was workable for one side of the key, so I just used some sandpaper and a file (do this step at your own risk) to thin down the part causing problems, and--
it works!
Not as nice as the Acura key, but cheaper.
It works! BUT--
the blank was thinner than the OEM version, by about 0.1-0.2 mm. When the dealership had it cut, the thin part in the middle was left too thick, so the key could not be inserted into the door lock completely. Therefore, the key would start the car, but not operate the door lock.
After 3 passes in the cutting machine, it was workable for one side of the key, so I just used some sandpaper and a file (do this step at your own risk) to thin down the part causing problems, and--
it works!
Not as nice as the Acura key, but cheaper.
So for the GEs, we can buy something like this? NEW Folding Key Remote Case for ACURA TSX RDX MDX: eBay Motors (item 250486980660 end time May-20-10 08:33:13 PDT)
and just take out the transponder(+immobilizer) from the oem key and put it in to the new case? And after that, have the dealer cut it and program it or just DIY. Correct?
and just take out the transponder(+immobilizer) from the oem key and put it in to the new case? And after that, have the dealer cut it and program it or just DIY. Correct?
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 542
From: Northeast GA
It looks correct, but see the pictures in the DIY for possible modifications to the key fob to make the chip fit properly.
Also, you can program the remote part yourself, but if you're not using a chip that came with the car, you have to get the car programmed to accept that chip at the dealership.
Also, you can program the remote part yourself, but if you're not using a chip that came with the car, you have to get the car programmed to accept that chip at the dealership.
