Key chips

Just lost the third and almost final key for my '02 WRX. Bummed, but it will cost $5 to get another key made.

This got me to thinking- are there any cars made today without chips imbedded in their keys? I can't stand the idea of paying $75 for a new key from a dealer.

Figure out why you are loosing keys. Three keys in 8 years is ridiculous.

I just bypassed the key reader in the Aurora. cost was about $3.00

$75 for a key?!?!?! That is CHEAP. The big three domestics are $90-up. Most expensive key I programmed was $145 just for the key. One of those remote attached to the end that did everything deals.

Easiest way to bypass the system is to just take the column covers off, glue the key to the upper cover, and use a regularly cut cheap key.

Brian

Ranger50 wrote: Easiest way to bypass the system is to just take the column covers off, glue the key to the upper cover, and use a regularly cut cheap key. Brian

You sir, win a cookie. That is brilliant.

Ranger50 wrote: Easiest way to bypass the system is to just take the column covers off, glue the key to the upper cover, and use a regularly cut cheap key. Brian

I know that would have worked for my 03' Focus, but what about the generals cars with the actual chip on the ignition key?

Nitroracer wrote:

Ranger50 wrote: Easiest way to bypass the system is to just take the column covers off, glue the key to the upper cover, and use a regularly cut cheap key. Brian

I know that would have worked for my 03' Focus, but what about the general's car with the actual chip on the ignition key?

iirc thats simply a resistor

That is, in fact, just a cheap resistor.

Ditto, just a simple resistor. So you could jumper the Passlock signal with a Shack item. It sucked getting those keys because the parts dept had to stock 12 different resistor keys to cover the available "codes".

Brian

Just got two of those made for the daughters Camaro. They were $8 each. Not worth tearing the column apart. The wife's keys for her 99 Chevy Venture are $30.

On many cars it is not just a simple resistor it authorizes a section of the ecu to work. There's another whole circuit in there. Took us 5-6 years to figure out how to modify a Honda ecu to get rid of the need for the key in our race cars.

We only have one key for my wifes 2000 Altima because it is so expensive to have another reprogrammed. (Best I remember was $150.00) I am going to try having a cheapie cut and hiding the expensive one in the column. The simplest ideas are usually the most brilliant.

Yeah, so seriously I write this rant, take my sister and her husband downtown dc, park in a ridiculously overpriced garage, and when I get back, unlock the door, open, and the alarm goes off. My furious meter pegged. Luckily the wife read the "emergency alarm shutoff procedure" from the manual and saved the car from a severe beating (key on- to lock, 3 times in 5 seconds to shut it off).

Truly, are there any cars out there left without "chip" keys?

I'm done.

iceracer wrote: Figure out why you are loosing keys. Three keys in 8 years is ridiculous.

Haha. yes. I'm working to affix the blame to her.

I think late 90's is about the limit on non-integrated chip keys died. Might be a few stragglers after that, but not many.

Good thing I have a mid 90's vehicle. During the past year, I have used an old screwdriver to start mine after the ignition key lock cylinder broke.

Brian

Look for a remote start bypass module. the better ones read the key once and keep that info stored in the module which transmits it every time the car is remote started. It would not take much to have that module transmit the info whenever you want it to. Either manually (think momentary switch under column), or automatically (active whenever ignition is on).