Ben's 2004 TL

Hello All,

I bought my TL with ony one key and remote... I was playing outside with my son and realized I lost the set! I understand that a new key must be made either by the dealer or a locksmith AND programmed. I cannot move the car with no key... Can someone please give me some info on the costs of getting a key made by the Acura dealer AND getting the key programmed by a locksmith?? I have not called around as it is a weekend, but I am hearing that programming costs a bundle...
Thanks!

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Yeah programming the key immobilizer costs a lot.

The price to program it varies from dealers to dealers.

Tommorow, call dealers asking for their price.

I paid around $55 in total to get mine reprogrammed when I bought key #2 (my car came with 1 key and keyfob).

Btw, get a switchblade key =)

nfnsquared

Search the forum. There are many threads on this. And I'm pretty sure the programming has to be done by the dealer, not a locksmith.

Have you considered renting a metal detector? Might be cheaper...Good luck...

Aman

Getting an entirely new key and programming it will be expensive, as in well more than $100. Hopefully you can get away without paying for getting the key cut.

Good luck!

Ben's 2004 TL

Thanks everyone for the quick replies! And, funny as it sounds... I spent half the day looking for a metal detector. I am sure of the area that is was lost in... but it is a pretty big, grassy and wooded area. That would really suck if I have to get it programmed by the dealer as the car would have to be towed for AN HOUR to get there!
Once again, I appreciate all the info!

MyTL09

iTrader: (4)

Either u tow the car to the dealer or find a dealer that has mobil service that comes to u and programes the key on the spot, only two options u have, programing costs $50-$60 depends what dealer try both Honda and Acura, key at dealer ranges from $30-$50 valet or master

Ben's 2004 TL

Thanks (MyTL09)... that was very good info. I didn't even think about the local Honda deaer. I hope that either they or the distant Acura dealer offer a mobile service! (one that's not $500...)

RU_JELLY

iTrader: (1)

more than 1 key FTW

quakerroatmeal

I recently got a quote from my dealership. They charge 99$ just for the switchblade key. Another 130$ to cut and program it...

Ben's 2004 TL

I appreciate it... Do you know if they offered moile service? (quaker)

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Whatever you do, do not pay $130 to get it cut and programmed.

Be sure to ask around =)

I paid in total $150 for the key and keyfob, and $50 to get it programmed all at the same dealer.

So in the end, I paid $200 for the second key set.

They cut my key for free, so just ask around.

They cut my key by phoning me and asking for my VIN number. They didn't need my car or key #1, just the VIN haha

Joelito2983

If it would of been me I would of tryed to make atleast another key that way if something like this happened I would of resolved it with the other key...

quakerroatmeal

I have no idea if they offer mobile service. But I was for sure not going to pay no 130$ to program it..nor the 99$ price they wanted for the switchblade key.

guilterplayer..you basically almost paid the same price I got quoted for..30$ less. Instead of 130$ to program it they charged you more for the switchblade key.

Koreandude007

When I had my 06 TL, I bought the switchblade key and had to call different locksmith's to see if they can cut/programmed the immobilizer for me. some of them couldn't, but I found one that did. I don't remember how much he charged me.

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Yeah but I live in Canada lol. stuff up here I get ripped off bad LOL

They charged me more for the regular key and regular keyfob (no switchblade).

I was a noob, just got the car with 1 key so needed another key just in case LOL

Wish I got the switchblade instead =(

Souljah

Sadly, sounds about right. I paid a grip for my 2 switchblades.

quakerroatmeal

I just called about 10 local locksmith nearby. Cheapest I have found is 60$ to cut and program the key itself.

nfnsquared

I didn't know a locksmith could do the programming???

quakerroatmeal

I've seen other people on the forum has theirs done from a locksmith. The dealer is not the only option to program the immobilizer chip. The locksmith told me they can program the immobilizer. A few were 95$, cheapest was two shops that were 60$.

leedogg

any locksmith can cut the old 04-06 key, only a locksmith with a honda programmer can reprogram your keys. Only a locksmith with a milling machine can cut the new switchblade keys.

if you want the switchblade, your ideal scenario would be finding a locksmith with both a milling machine and a honda programmer otherwise you will likely need to get it cut in one location and programmed in another. all keys need to be programmed at the same time.

legendbliss

Can the dealer program the chip in the new key without an existing key?

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Yes, I do believe so.

LoveMyTL-S

I had to get a spare fob for my wife's 350Z. I found a local locksmith and he was able to also program the fob, but he also needed the other (working) fob. I also had to have a key replaced for my old TL-S and the same guy came out with some sort of programmer that her hooked up under the dash. A few minutes later I was in business. He can also acquire the switchblade key, mill it and program as well. So, I'd call around to your locksmith/Fob programming places and see what they can do for you.

leedogg

only the dealer can program keys without an existing key to pull the code from. when looking around for locksmiths simply ask if they can program acura keys and if you're trying to cut a switchblade if they have a milling machine that can cut the harder metal (nickle i believe)