The key to my Civic is worn down badly and I only have one. Making a copy doesn't seem like it would help. Can a locksmith make a better key?
The key to my Civic is worn down badly and I only have one. Making a copy doesn't seem like it would help. Can a locksmith make a better key?
A good locksmith that does a lot of car keys should be able to or the dealership can. You need someone who can cut the key based on the key code not one who can do it only buy tracing the old key.
Skip a smithy, head straight to the Honda shop, title or registration in hand. For under $20, you will have a brand-new, factory-fresh key, cut on a quality blank.
except for the keys with the enabler chip in them ... the replacement cost is UNberkeleyINGBELIEVABLE although a copy of one without the chip stuck in your wallet so you can't get locked out is just a couple of bucks
Not advertising for.em or anything, but home depot can now cut and program a lot of those keys. I think they were anywhere from 40-80 depending on the brand. It's been about 4 months since I worked for em.
If you bring the car to a locksmith, he can cut the key a little big and then fit it to your worn cylinder.
I know this was a few yeas ago, but I installed a complete ignition lock cylinder with two new key. Came as a kit, no fuss no must.
Paul B
EvanR wrote: Skip a smithy, head straight to the Honda shop, title or registration in hand. For under $20, you will have a brand-new, factory-fresh key, cut on a quality blank.
Still this. And there are usually enough dealers around that you won't pay too much to do this... If it is indeed the 93 civic ex the key blank should be 35117-SH3-013 and the Honda E-store shows this for $1.65
wbjones wrote: except for the keys with the enabler chip in them ... the replacement cost is UNberkeleyINGBELIEVABLE although a copy of one without the chip stuck in your wallet so you can't get locked out is just a couple of bucks
My dad ran into this when the "chip" failed in his late-'90s Pontiac Bonneville. Turns out that chip was just a resistor with a specific resistance. I think the contacts in the tumbler stopped working. His solution: measure the resistance, find a suitable resistor--I think he used a potentiometer and dialed it in--locate the appropriate wires behind the dash and wire it up.
I don't know if Hondas work this way or not, but it's something I'll definitely remember if I run into this in the future.
I know that honda keeps the codes on file far enough back for you to just have one cut by VIN. Last time I had it done was a few years back and it cost me $2. A lock smith can also make a key from a lock cylinder in the car, preferably the glovebox or trunk lock. I say those 2 because of "valet" keys that won't work in them, if you make a key that fits them it should fit all the locks.
FWIW, a fresh cut key makes a world of difference and is worth every penny it costs compared to a well worn key,
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