WOOHOO! My switchblade key from FLBUSA arrived! In Florida on Friday, California on Wednesday - not bad at all!

I've been bugging the support people up stairs every day asking if the mail has come in yet, since I get bored easily and apparently have no life, i'm thrilled right now.

Yes, this is a useless post.. but it's for my TL so it's relevant.

 

Sweet! I have mine working on my TSX and I love it!

 

How much did it cost??,and how long did it take??

 

$95 for Driver 1 Key
$135 for Driver 2 Key
http://www.flbusa.com/switchblade_key.htm

I ordered earlier in the day on Friday, got my shipping number from the post office (which btw - postal service tracking numbers are completely useless since it generally says "electronic notification of shipment" until it's been delivered, at which point the tracking is no longer needed - not FLBs fault; crappy postal system).

Arrived this morning

I have to take it to the dealer to get it cut / programmed

 

How far does the keyless entry travel?

I have a regular remote for my '04 TL and I find that in a free space parking lot, it only works I say a dist of 300 ft.

Compared to my aftermarket Viper alarm, it would work 10x better.

 

Curious...... do they not come with the switch blade stock?

I got two from the dealership with my 2007 Type S

 

New feature for 2007 . . . just wait until the 2009 model is announced. You'll be pissed off too!

 

Nah. I'm pretty content right now. Im sure 2009 will be a nice departure from 2007.... but I'm used to sticking with something for a while. I mean I just finally got rid of my 2001 Camaro SS

 

In 09 you may not need to pull the key out of your pocket!

So i've go all of my remotes programmed now; two driver 1s and one driver 2.. does anyone know if it's even possible at all to program the transponder on your own?

Dealership wants $120 and says it will take about an hour

 

Which dealership did you talk to? Have you had the key cut yet?

 

Not cut yet.. Niello

 

What the difference between ordering from flbusa vs. a seller from ebay besides the difference of sixty bucks or so?

 

I looked at the picture and I thought all the keys from 2007 were that new inverted key cut. By the looks of it I can just get the key cut normaly. Also is the key the same thickness as the 2006 key? If this is all true I want a pair!!

 

as far as i know you can't program the transponder, but you can remove the chip from your key, and place it inside the new remote

 

It is 15 min job, including cutting and it should not be more than $40 at locksmith. He should have immobilizer chip programmer. Take all your keys.

 

Okay, my bad. I noticed the difference now and for that price, it's a good deal.

 

Mishar is correct. It took about 15-20 minutes total from the time I entered the locksmith to leaving. Programmed and cut for $50.00.

 

Timmah,
I also went to Niello. They actually recommended that I have the key cut elsewhere, as their machine is old and doesn't always cut properly the first time. It took them approximately 15-20 minutes to program mine. I believe the service manager himself did the programming because they told me it wouldn't work, and I said to do it anyway.

 

Here's what I had done.
https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...9&postcount=10
be sure to bring ALL your keys for the programming

 

I thought the whole idea behind sending the original key was that you didn't need to program the new key . . . or is that the ebay dude?

 

The new key has to be programmed to your car before it will work. Programming the key refers to the immobilizer chip inside the key itself. If it's not programmed, your car won't start.

 

Yeah I went in today and Niello said they cannot cut it; they said they tried it before and it did not come out correctly and they won't warranty the key since it's modified (completely understandable)

My key will be cut on Monday by a locksmith but i'm not sure if he can program the immobilizer chip

I already have the remote portion of it programmed and linked as driver one; just need to get it cut / have the immobilizer programmed

Siq - where in the sac area are you (pm?)

 

Actually you are not programming keys to work with car, you are programming car to work with keys. That’s why you need all keys for programming.

 

Yeah, I understand all that. I just thought I read about a way to move the chip from your existing fob to a new switchblade and then just recut the key. I thought somebody was offering to do all this as a package.

Looks like I picked the wrong time to quit sniffin' glue!

 

People were doing that with the Accord keys, they aren't switchblade keys but the fob and key are one unit; the switchblades open with quite a bit of force so I think a custom fabricated job may not hold up that well in the long run; the factory setup is pretty substantial so to speak; the inside of the key head is a pretty thick metal and the flip system is metal as well.

I'm sure if you drill in the right areas into the flip key you can swap the transponder; but i'd hate to screw up a $100 key !!

 

You are right. There is a thread about that. But that is a lot of fine work with risk involved. Way more than even dealer would charge to program it.

 

Somebody clarify something

1) The immobilizer chip/code in key - is required to ignition start the car -
2) Operates independently from the remote portion to "lock/unlock" car

There are 2 pieces to get it to work fully and when people say
"programmed" they mean 1), or 2), or both of the above.

I can do 2) myself, but
I can't do 1) myself. You need all your remotes together to do 2),
but just the new key to do 1) - is that right?

How does a locksmith get the immobilizer code into the key?
I know he uses a machine, but electronically speaking, how
does that code get into the key (no wires visible...ha ha).

 

Programming the REMOTE portion:

- You need ALL of your remotes
- You follow the instructions for programming, one of the final steps is to push the buttons on up to two additional remotes (if not then only the remote you have in your hand will work)

Programming the IMMOBILIZER portion:
- You need ALL of your keys
- You have to goto a dealership that hooks your car up to the HDS computer, runs your VIN and enters the current password (valid for one year I think, read it on some google results).
- The transponder codes are stored in the vehicle; I believe these are rolling codes too

You can get the key cut and unlock your doors, you can even turn the ignition, but when the transponder code doesn't match it won't crank

Some locksmiths have handheld systems they can hook into the car to program it, it's all software driven so when a new version or transponder setup comes out they can pay for the new software version and be able to offer services for the newer car.

 

This is kind of interesting -

HONDA/ACURA Transponder Keys:

Cloning - Existing keys can be cloned by a dealer or a locksmith using after-market T-Code or Jet Smart Clone equipment.

New key programing - Only a dealer can program a new key with a proprietary PGM tester and a PIN code. Reprogramming wipes out the original - the car cannot be started with its original key after being reprogrammed.

Emergency start procedure - There is an emergency starting procedure which requires a Immobilizer Brake Code, a 5 digit number which is VIN specific and available only through Honda through a return call to a phone number previously registered with Honda - dealers and verified, registered locksmiths only.

With a working mechanical key available, the 5 code numbers are entered into the vehicle’s computer with the ignition On by pressing the brake pedal, hand brake on Civic & Prelude, and releasing it the number of times for each number.

 

The switchblade key fob is kind of cool. I'd never heard of that before I saw the Acura Key.