04 Civic lost keys need new key and remote

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ANC - 31 Dec 2005 07:20 GMT

I lost a set of keys to my 04 Civic EX. I have another set that has the
'tag' with the key-code.

When I take this to the dealer what can I expect to pay for a new key and
for a new push-button keyless remote?

Is there an aftermarket remote that I can buy? Can only the dealer make a
new key (I understand there is a computer chip in it.) Is this a one minute
or a one hour job?

Thanks,

Al

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Elmo P. Shagnasty - 31 Dec 2005 13:01 GMT

> When I take this to the dealer what can I expect to pay for a new key and
> for a new push-button keyless remote?
>
> Is there an aftermarket remote that I can buy? Can only the dealer make a
> new key (I understand there is a computer chip in it.) Is this a one minute
> or a one hour job?

Key: my dealer charges around $30 to make a key. They cut it and then
they copy the immobilizer information from the original key to the copy.

Check with a locksmith; by now they should have access to equipment that
copies the immobilizer information over.

Remote: don't go to the dealer. Either go ebay, or go to
keylessride.com. Either place will get you a factory remote transmitter
for far less than the dealer.

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Woody - 31 Dec 2005 14:29 GMT

Before you decide where to get them do you have the knowledge to program
them to the car. The information isn't copied to the key. The key has to be
programmed in the car. The remote also has to be programmed to the car. Call
several dealers and see what they charge to do the complete job as the
prices are different in different locations. You will also want them
reprogrammed ASAP so whoever has your other key and remote can't steal your
car. House keys with the car keys?

>> When I take this to the dealer what can I expect to pay for a new key and
>> for a new push-button keyless remote?
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> keylessride.com. Either place will get you a factory remote transmitter
> for far less than the dealer.

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ANC - 31 Dec 2005 15:36 GMT

Thanks for the help. I believe my keys were thrown out and are now part of
some land fill. I know they were not stolen. They are either lost in the
house (since I was able to drive home!) or in the garbage. Still, I guess
it is not a bad idea to have existing key and remote and car all
re-programmed... and then get a spare key/remote.

I looked at keylessride.com and saw a remote for $56. I will call dealership
today and see what they charge... but if the car has to be reprogrammed and
the old key/remote has to be reprogrammed, it may make sense for me to bite
the bullet and get a new remote from the dealer and have them do the whole
mess. And I bet I won't get out of there for less than $200. I wonder if
they ever have a 'sale' on spare key/remotes???? :-)

How long a process SHOULD all of the above take? With my Honda dealer it's
always a whole day even if they just change the oil! (Well, it seems like
it.) Slowest shop on the planet.

If I get a 3rd party remote, is programming it to the car a long and
involved deal? I thought there would be some instructions on the web for a
n04 Civic, but I've not found any. Anyone know? What should I google for?

Al

> Before you decide where to get them do you have the knowledge to program
> them to the car. The information isn't copied to the key. The key has to
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>> keylessride.com. Either place will get you a factory remote transmitter
>> for far less than the dealer.

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Elmo P. Shagnasty - 31 Dec 2005 18:49 GMT

> I looked at keylessride.com and saw a remote for $56. I will call dealership
> today and see what they charge... but if the car has to be reprogrammed and
> the old key/remote has to be reprogrammed, it may make sense for me to bite
> the bullet and get a new remote from the dealer and have them do the whole
> mess.

Hang on now. We're talking two separate issues here. Woody has it
wrong.

ISSUE 1:

You have a key, right? And it doesn't have any buttons on it, right?

That key is electronically keyed to the immobilizer system in your car.
The key must be near the ignition switch, and the switch must be able to
read the codes in the key, in order for the car to start.

Those codes can be copied from your working key over to a new key, using
equipment that your Honda dealer has. It is easiest simply to go to the
Honda dealer with your working key and ask for a copy.

ISSUE 2:

You have a remote transmitter, right? And it's a unit that's physically
separate from your ignition key, right?

And the remote transmitter is a Honda piece, from Honda--not an
aftermarket piece, right?

And you found that same remote transmitter available at keylessride.com,
right?

Then buy it from keylessride.com. It will come with the instructions
required to tell your car to respond to that new remote transmitter.
The process isn't difficult--but THIS process *does* require that you be
in your car with a key that works the ignition. Regardless, it takes
only about 30 seconds.

If you buy it from the dealer, you'll pay $120 or more. Then you'll
have to ask them to provide you with the programming steps. They may
choose not to do so; they may choose instead to tell you that their
service department must do it, for an hour's labor. Bulloney.

The two issues are entirely separate. Immobilizer programming has
nothing to do with remote transmitter programming. (And you don't
program the remote transmitter; you program the car to recognize the
remote transmitter as being valid for that car.)

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ANC - 31 Dec 2005 20:36 GMT

Thanks. This really cleared it up for me. You are right on both issues. I
called my dealer. The parts guy spent some time on phone with me since it
was so slow there (being Sat and New YE.) (I also bought 2 cars from them
in the past few years.)

To recap, I have a working key and a working remote. I want a new one of
each (since I lost them both.)

1. He said he can copy the encoding on my working key to a new key: $30

2. He will sell me a new Honda remote push button "fob" for $70 and will
give me programming instructions.

He said that when I do the programming, I have to do BOTH the new remote AND
the old remote at same time. He said that the reprogramming process CHANGES
the 'transmitter codes' in the car. Thus, if I only did one remote, the
other would not work.

I had thought there was ONE code for the car and that if you got a new
remote you set it to this code. WRONG. He said for security reasons the
reprogramming is REALLY THAT.... it changes the codes so that whomever
finds your lost remote can't find your car in the parking lot via the panic
button. Makes sense.

I found this instruction sheet for reprogramming. Does it look reasonable?

http://www.handa-accessories.com/crv/KEYLESSPROG.pdf

Here is a factory remote from keylessrides.com for $54:
http://tinyurl.com/7msdt

There are a ton of remotes on ebay for around $15:
http://tinyurl.com/clwke

I wonder if the ebay ones will work!! They look like factory original... but
might be cheap knockoffs. I think I will try one... can't go wrong for $15
compared to $54.

Thanks Elmo and others. I really appreciate your help.

Al

>> I looked at keylessride.com and saw a remote for $56. I will call
>> dealership today and see what they charge... but if the car has to be
[quoted text clipped - 43 lines]
> program the remote transmitter; you program the car to recognize the
> remote transmitter as being valid for that car.)

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Elmo P. Shagnasty - 01 Jan 2006 00:04 GMT

> He said that when I do the programming, I have to do BOTH the new remote AND
> the old remote at same time. He said that the reprogramming process CHANGES
> the 'transmitter codes' in the car. Thus, if I only did one remote, the
> other would not work.

Sometimes that happens, so yes, it's best to be safe and do them all at
once.

The car can handle being controlled by up to four transmitters. But
even so, I've found that the car can forget that it was tied to a
transmitter or two; I've had to reprogram them from time to time.

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Elmo P. Shagnasty - 01 Jan 2006 00:08 GMT

> I found this instruction sheet for reprogramming. Does it look reasonable?
>
> http://www.handa-accessories.com/crv/KEYLESSPROG.pdf

Yes, it looks reasonable. At any rate, I guarantee you can find the
exact dealer instructions somewhere on the net. Temple of VTEC will no
doubt have them.

> Here is a factory remote from keylessrides.com for $54:
> http://tinyurl.com/7msdt
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> I wonder if the ebay ones will work!!

Probably. I've bought a couple from Ebay for my 02 Odyssey, no problems.

> They look like factory original... but
> might be cheap knockoffs.

I sincerely doubt it.

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Elmo P. Shagnasty - 31 Dec 2005 18:51 GMT

> If I get a 3rd party remote,

You're not getting a 3rd party remote from keylessride.com. You're
getting a factory remote.

What are the numbers on the back of your remote? Does your remote have
the Honda logo or stylistic name on it?

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Elmo P. Shagnasty - 31 Dec 2005 18:40 GMT

> Before you decide where to get them do you have the knowledge to program
> them to the car. The information isn't copied to the key. The key has to be
> programmed in the car.

The immobilizer information absolutely is copied from a working key to
the new key, all without being anywhere near the car.

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