Hi everyone! I'm looking to do the Switchblade key mod on on my 2004 TSX, but there's one question I can't find an answer to.....are the keys you buy at hardware stores any different than the OEM key BESIDES the fact the OEM key has a transponder? Essentially I bough the key from a hardware store, had them cut it, then modded it to fit the 2007+ TL swithcblade key. I haven't installed the transponder yet, but even when the OEM key with transponder is in the car I'm not able to start the car with the hardware store cut key. Any help will be much appreciated!

 

No difference in how the key fits inside the ignition switch. If the key was cut correctly, the hardware store key will unlock the ignition lock (allowing the key to turn).

However, the transponder chip inside the key has to match with the immobilizer unit on the steering column and must be close to each other (you can't just have it in the car).

Therefore, if you removed the transponder chip from your existing functional key and transplanted it to the new switch blade key, it should work fine.

 

That's exactly what I needed to know, thank you for the info!

 

+1 JTso, i got my switchblade from heeltoe, great service

 

Bump, I am modifying the keyfob as we speak and I was holding my normal key that I always use that has the transponder chip on top of my newly cut key without a transponder chip and the ignition would turn but not start.. why is that?

 

The chip probably wasn't close enough eventhough it may have seemed like it.

 

this isnt a switch blade question but this is a question regarding the key. I bought my car used and it only came with one key and one remote (2004 tsx) Im affraid i might lose my key one day and not have a spare to get in and drive the car. What is the most inexpensive way you guys could recommend i go about doing for a spare key and remote?

PS. My car had an auto start installed when I purchased it, and i heard when those get installed u need a spare key. Maybe thats where the spare key is?