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1. Take out the one screw at the bottom.
I used PH0 screwdriver.
2. Pry up and remove the remote, pushing up on the ring.
3. Carefully pry up the blade cover
Start on one side. It is held down by sticky residue so pry slowly.
It is held down by two clips, shown in the pics.
4. Remove the 3 screws. There's locktite or something on them, so make sure you use the right screwdriver or else you WILL strip the screw head.
I used PH1 on the two black screws and PH0 on the silver screw.
5. The metal piece should swing counterclockwise now (there's a spring under it).
6. Remove the metal piece but don't bend the spring.
7. Remove spring
8. Remove blade
You should be left with:
9. Lets take a look at the new blade:
Swap your immobilizer chip from your old blade to your new blade.
It is located behind the plastic little door.
How the blade works, is it clicks when it falls into the slot. The slot in your old blade is worn so there is no "wall" holding your blade in the closed position.
10. Place new blade in, and assemble everything back together.
Then time to get your key cut.
NOTE: This DIY is only for people with 07/08 TLs.
If you buy a blank blade hoping to use it for your 04-06 TL, you won't find a locksmith that can mill it. You'd have to send the blade in to Heeltoe to mill it. Milling is an expensive process ($60).
Hopefully you find this DIY useful, and I hope it saves you money.
You can get a newly functioning switchblade for $30 (eBay used switchblade) + $13 for new blade = $43
Beats paying the dealer for a new switchblade.
Cheers
Last edited by thoiboi; 01-22-2018 at 10:09 AM.
Reason: fixed pictures
I'm wondering if there is a nice way to swap out the plastic piece that attaches to the blank key shank? If so you wouldn't need to mill/cut the key but instead glue/fasten the original shank to the new plastic coupler. The other idea is if you compare the new .vs. old plastic pieces what wears out? I'm thinking the close slot must wear and could be repaired possibly.
I just replaced my keyfob with the switchblade so hopefully I'll get 3+ years of life out of my new key and it might be somebody elses problem down the road but you never know.
I'm wondering if there is a nice way to swap out the plastic piece that attaches to the blank key shank? If so you wouldn't need to mill/cut the key but instead glue/fasten the original shank to the new plastic coupler. The other idea is if you compare the new .vs. old plastic pieces what wears out? I'm thinking the close slot must wear and could be repaired possibly.
I just replaced my keyfob with the switchblade so hopefully I'll get 3+ years of life out of my new key and it might be somebody elses problem down the road but you never know.
Since the key encounters forces frequently, such as turning the engine or unlocking your door using your key, I don't see JB Weld holding up if you were to just glue on the blade to the plastic part.
I really did think about what you're suggesting, though.
The close slot CAN be repaired, and that's what I did to my switchblade for my 04 TL. Used JB Weld to make the slot smaller (the slot gets worn and larger over use).
This DIY was mainly for 07/08 TLs, with laser cut keys.
I got mine today. It was defective as the groove edges didn't protrude enough to lock the key blade in place. It'd hold in place without much play but put even a bit of force on the blade and it'll slide out of the channel and basically defeating the purpose of replacing it. Hoping to get a replacement from the seller. Good thing I didn't cut this key yet
I wish I hadn't seen this. When I bought my car last month, I was bummed to see the driver 1 keyfob had a loose key. But, I've gotten used to it, and don't really notice it.
But, now that I know there's a cheap and easy fix, I feel like I need to do it.
My key was super loose, to the point where it would get stuck in the ignition. I just put some tinfoil in the "Open Slot" from the image above and cut a hole for the Silver release button. It tightened... to the point of not moving when pushing the button. I just left it open until can find something thinner than tinfoil. But for a budget fix, I'd rather have it stiff and working than loose and not. Plus... I'm cheap and don't want to buy new.
I was afraid of that, it seems these are laser cut.
Look at locksmiths in your area, not all of them can do it but those who can will be cheaper than dealer most times. You can still call up your nearest dealer to know price beforehand.
Thank you for the replies. I would have just went to Acura right away, but the closest one to me is about an hour away. (Acura is willing to cut it for free by the way, was just hoping to save the trip there)
Thank you for the replies. I would have just went to Acura right away, but the closest one to me is about an hour away. (Acura is willing to cut it for free by the way, was just hoping to save the trip there)
For free? Nothing is usually free from stealerships. Hopefully you don't drive there and they change their mind...
got my new key super quick. now its great, the first one was definitely defective
a year or so later, my replacement key is starting to wear out. it holds fine in the upright position, but in the closed position its starting to become loose again
a year or so later, my replacement key is starting to wear out. it holds fine in the upright position, but in the closed position its starting to become loose again
I can see this is not really the best idea now that I've replaced it. It went back together perfectly fine but it is in no way as good as it was new.
Doesn't stay shut nicely, the plastic doesn't seal the same etc. I wish I would have just bought a new unit now.
its because the internals are made of weak plastic-y material that gets its edges worn smooth. I dont know why they cant make one with more durable material, like a metal mold or something
"Swap your immobilizer chip from your old blade to your new blade. It is located behind the plastic little door."
Ive been trying to pull it out but can't figure out how to remove the immobilizer chip without damaging it.... Any ideas would be great. Thanks in advance.
I have a tsx switchblade, brand new, with clean buttons.....I just want to transfer the buttons to my TL switchblade. Is there anything else besides buttons that I need to transfer? Plan to use the clear nail polish on the “new” buttons, to prevent the wear that my current buttons have.....Thanks for any insight.....
I have a tsx switchblade, brand new, with clean buttons.....I just want to transfer the buttons to my TL switchblade. Is there anything else besides buttons that I need to transfer? Plan to use the clear nail polish on the “new” buttons, to prevent the wear that my current buttons have.....Thanks for any insight.....
The buttons are all you need to transfer over
It's not outlined in this DIY but here's a quick how to:
1. Once you remove the remote section from the switchblade, push down on the buttons to push the remote's "board" from the outside assembly.
You'll just be left with the remote section which is square in shape.
2. On the bottom right corner (to the right of the panic button), you'll see a slow where you can insert a coin to pry the two halves apart.
3. Here, you can replace the remote if you wish. Once you remove the circuit board on the top half, you can switch over the new buttons.
So the buttons just pop off, or am I to use the entire button panel once seperated from the circuit board? It makes sense, I just didn’t want to F anything up, and not be able to use my key! Also, I think there wouldn’t be a need to reprogram anything, since the circuit board will be from my TL switchblade.
may be a silly question but can you buy one of these new uncut keys and just transfer the guts (chip and blade) from your current key?
this way you'd have a functional-locking key & not need to take the new one to get cut?
mine does not stay snapped open and if I could just swap a new key housing with my current chip and blade...i would think this would this work?
TIA
Well to answer my own question, yes it does work.
I bought a replacement from Amazon and followed the disassemble process from a YouTube video.
Switched the stock key part into the new replacement housing. Had a couple quirks to figure out but it's now locking as new and I don't need to take the key to be cut anywhere. Reprogrammed the new housing in 60seconds and it's good to go.
This was tremendously helpful thanks so much for putting the time in to post this. I needed to know exactly how to get the immobilizer chip out and this showed me how to do it. Saved a bunch of time and money! Thanks again!
Originally Posted by guitarplayer16
Having problem with your switchblade hanging out and not clicking into place?
Or see a used switchblade on eBay for cheap but it's already been cut for a different car?
All you have to do is buy a new blade.
Previously, nobody sold blades on their own.
Now, you can find blank blades on eBay.
1. Take out the one screw at the bottom.
I used PH0 screwdriver.
2. Pry up and remove the remote, pushing up on the ring.
3. Carefully pry up the blade cover
Start on one side. It is held down by sticky residue so pry slowly.
It is held down by two clips, shown in the pics.
4. Remove the 3 screws. There's locktite or something on them, so make sure you use the right screwdriver or else you WILL strip the screw head.
I used PH1 on the two black screws and PH0 on the silver screw.
5. The metal piece should swing counterclockwise now (there's a spring under it).
6. Remove the metal piece but don't bend the spring.
7. Remove spring
8. Remove blade
You should be left with:
9. Lets take a look at the new blade:
Swap your immobilizer chip from your old blade to your new blade.
It is located behind the plastic little door.
How the blade works, is it clicks when it falls into the slot. The slot in your old blade is worn so there is no "wall" holding your blade in the closed position.
10. Place new blade in, and assemble everything back together.
Then time to get your key cut.
NOTE: This DIY is only for people with 07/08 TLs.
If you buy a blank blade hoping to use it for your 04-06 TL, you won't find a locksmith that can mill it. You'd have to send the blade in to Heeltoe to mill it. Milling is an expensive process ($60).
Hopefully you find this DIY useful, and I hope it saves you money.
You can get a newly functioning switchblade for $30 (eBay used switchblade) + $13 for new blade = $43
I bought a replacement from Amazon and followed the disassemble process from a YouTube video.
Switched the stock key part into the new replacement housing. Had a couple quirks to figure out but it's now locking as new and I don't need to take the key to be cut anywhere. Reprogrammed the new housing in 60seconds and it's good to go.
Know this is an old thread, but I just got an '07 TL and the blades in both key fobs are kind of loose, and in one of them the blade is hanging out. Sounds like you were thinking the same as I: why focus on getting a new key cut instead of just transferring the existing key and chip to the new case. And given this terrible design, I'd almost rather have a way to fix the blade in the fully open position and secure it in such a way that you don't feel the blade is going to snap out of the case every time you start the car. Whole thing feels cheap and flimsy.
Can you share which one you ordered and which instructions you used to reprogram it? Rather not reinvent the wheel if you've already had a successful outcome...
Know this is an old thread, but I just got an '07 TL and the blades in both key fobs are kind of loose, and in one of them the blade is hanging out. Sounds like you were thinking the same as I: why focus on getting a new key cut instead of just transferring the existing key and chip to the new case. And given this terrible design, I'd almost rather have a way to fix the blade in the fully open position and secure it in such a way that you don't feel the blade is going to snap out of the case every time you start the car. Whole thing feels cheap and flimsy.
Can you share which one you ordered and which instructions you used to reprogram it? Rather not reinvent the wheel if you've already had a successful outcome...
I used my valet key and kept the switchblade closed and used it only as a fob. Did this until a month ago when I lost both...
Now I have to use the stupid switchblade I still have.
Need to find them and if I can't, have replacements ordered.
Yeah. I wish they just did the TSX style key/fob or just the the single piece unit like Hondas use
03-10-2014, 07:45 PM
wondering about this
