Circumventing a Key Transponder System

kaliyama

Hello,
I have a new model year car. Just lost one of my two keys. Confronting the realities of the ridiculous fees dealers are now able to leverage for programming keys. I'll have to eat it this time. But, going forward, can't I just disassemble one of the keys I that I have made, insert the transponder in the steering column, and get normal, $10 keys made and drive around with those?

Pantshandshake

I found this:
http://www.ehow.com/how_7496055_bypass-transponder-key.html

kaliyama

Pantshandshake wrote: »

I found this:
http://www.ehow.com/how_7496055_bypass-transponder-key.html

Thanks - I did too. I found that a little unsatisfactory because I don't want to glue anything to my steering column. Hence, I was trying to figure out if I could do something less obtrusive.

zagdrob

I'm not sure it will work for you, but last week we were at Lowes getting some extra copies of our house keys made, and there was a sign saying they could copy programmable keys.

Might be worth checking out, it'll almost certainly be cheaper than going to the dealer if they can do it.

bowen

zagdrob wrote: »

I'm not sure it will work for you, but last week we were at Lowes getting some extra copies of our house keys made, and there was a sign saying they could copy programmable keys.

Might be worth checking out, it'll almost certainly be cheaper than going to the dealer if they can do it.

Interesting... I'm going to need to check this out too.

see317

kaliyama wrote: »

Pantshandshake wrote: »

I found this:
http://www.ehow.com/how_7496055_bypass-transponder-key.html

Thanks - I did too. I found that a little unsatisfactory because I don't want to glue anything to my steering column. Hence, I was trying to figure out if I could do something less obtrusive.

Do you know what the range on the transponder is? Maybe there's somewhere else in the car a little less noticeable you could put it? Maybe if your doors have some organizer bins or something or in the ash tray?

Foomy

see317 wrote: »

kaliyama wrote: »

Pantshandshake wrote: »

I found this:
http://www.ehow.com/how_7496055_bypass-transponder-key.html

Thanks - I did too. I found that a little unsatisfactory because I don't want to glue anything to my steering column. Hence, I was trying to figure out if I could do something less obtrusive.

Do you know what the range on the transponder is? Maybe there's somewhere else in the car a little less noticeable you could put it? Maybe if your doors have some organizer bins or something or in the ash tray?

Most steering columns come apart fairly easy with just a few screws, then you glue the transponder to the inside.

mts

zagdrob wrote: »

I'm not sure it will work for you, but last week we were at Lowes getting some extra copies of our house keys made, and there was a sign saying they could copy programmable keys.

Might be worth checking out, it'll almost certainly be cheaper than going to the dealer if they can do it.

home depot should be able to do it too. i think i saw a sign there as well

Donovan Puppyfucker

You can also just buy transponders online from Ebay or wherever, and have them programmed. I know Volkswagen charge like wounded bulls for the keyfob/transponder part, but the actual reprogramming is only like $50.

kaliyama

see317 wrote: »

kaliyama wrote: »

Pantshandshake wrote: »

I found this:
http://www.ehow.com/how_7496055_bypass-transponder-key.html

Thanks - I did too. I found that a little unsatisfactory because I don't want to glue anything to my steering column. Hence, I was trying to figure out if I could do something less obtrusive.

Do you know what the range on the transponder is? Maybe there's somewhere else in the car a little less noticeable you could put it? Maybe if your doors have some organizer bins or something or in the ash tray?

thanks everyone foe the thoughtful responses. I don't want to experiment with transponder range and thereby trigger antitheft technology, so will go with the steering column approach and see where that gets me. Will post an update when I do it.

Enc

Messing with the transponder will tank the Bluebook value of your car pretty much instantly and make you look immediately suspicious in any pull over.

In my area Home Depot, Lowes, and Ace Hardware all can copy these keys for about $30-$50 depending upon the technology used. I'd much rather that than loose 2-5k in equity and give an inquisitive police officer any reason to drag me out of my car in the current environment.

wrong_button

Also just a thought, but if you live in a higher crime rate area, yanking your transponder might affect your car insurance. You might be getting a break for an antitheft device and not know it, but if you get your car stolen and it's recovered with a mod like that it could complicate your insurance claim. Sounds kind of dumb, I know, but I work with insurance companies and can tell you: they look at that stuff.

Not saying you shouldn't do it if you want, but you might call your agent to let them know what you're thinking of doing and eat the rate adjustment (if there is one) in the event you have to claim something down the road.

Mom2Kat

As for programming the key if you get one cut at lowes or wherever, check your cars manual and see if it had instructions to do it yourself. My 2005 Ford free star van has a whole section in programming spare keys by doing and ignition on off sequence and a few other steps.