07 TL key fob conversion (Flip key)

[Chuck]

Interesting thread here...

http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/showthread.php?t=9353

Sounds to me like the valet key could be sacrificed to make this work.

[bongus]

Originally Posted by Chuck

Thanks for the info guys, that's kinda what I was thinking. Just so I make myself clear however, the dealer did not say that it will not work, they said they couldn't do it with their HDS programmer. They said that Acura dealers have different software in their equipment that allows them to handle this. Anyone have theirs done at a dealer that only sells Honda?

Mine was completed at a Honda only dealer. When I went to the dealer, he showed me how they program the immobilizer. Cutting the key was a snap...plugged in the code...boom, cut key!! The immobilizer took a bit longer than cutting the key. He had to get a password (I guess Honda changes the password) to access the immobilizer programming function. At first he used an iPaq device that had an OBD connector on the end. That device did not work...it kept saying it could not detect a connection to the OBD. So, he went inside and pulled out this black briefcase. In the briefcase was a larger PC tablet-like device with another OBD connector on the end. This device detected the OBD very quickly. He then followed the directions on the screen. He had to turn the ignition on and off and on and off...etc... In the end I have an Acura branded key fob working on my Honda.

[bongus]

Originally Posted by Chuck

Interesting thread here...

http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/showthread.php?t=9353

Sounds to me like the valet key could be sacrificed to make this work.

Yeah...if you are having problems finding a dealer that will program the immobilizer for you at a decent price then this maybe a legitimate option. There is one section of the directions that scare me a bit...drilling the key in order pop out the chip. Hopefully you have a steady hand.

[bongus]

Originally Posted by Chuck

...they said they couldn't do it with their HDS programmer. They said that Acura dealers have different software in their equipment that allows them to handle this.

I don't know what HDS stands for nor do I know what an HDS programmer is. If it's something that looks like an LCD screen (probably 13" diagonally) with a PDA-like stylus, a large rubber grip handle on either side of the screen and the screen is protected by a rubber case then that is what my dealer used to program my immobilzer. Also, very important, there is an OBD connector on the end. As I described on my prior post, we initally tried using an iPaq device but for some reason it was not detecting my OBD. BTW, while my service rep had the OBD connected, we checked some of the vehicle vitals which helps them troubleshoot problems when a car is brought in for service...very cool information. It also gave suggestions on how to correct any problems it detected. If this device was readily available to the general public...Honda service departments would loose some service jobs.

[Chuck]

Thanks for the detailed information bongus, If you don't mind, I'm going to print this and take it to the dealer. I'd rather not sacrifice the valet key, might need it for the addition of the remote start soon.

[bongus]

Originally Posted by Chuck

Thanks for the detailed information bongus, If you don't mind, I'm going to print this and take it to the dealer. I'd rather not sacrifice the valet key, might need it for the addition of the remote start soon.

No worries...you're welcome to share the information I've gathered. No copyrights here.

[Chuck]

One last question bongus...were they able to simply add a key, or did they have to re-program all keys? Thanks again!

[jj's ridge]

Originally Posted by Chuck

One last question bongus...were they able to simply add a key, or did they have to re-program all keys? Thanks again!

bongus seems to be offline so I'll tell you that they reprogrammed my other two keys at the same time. They said if I hadn't had them with me then they would not have worked after I had my flip key done.

[Chuck]

Originally Posted by jj's ridge

bongus seems to be offline so I'll tell you that they reprogrammed my other two keys at the same time. They said if I hadn't had them with me then they would not have worked after I had my flip key done.

Thanks jj!

[bongus]

Originally Posted by Chuck

Thanks jj!

Bump...they programmed all the keys. It seems that is what the program machine was telling the tech to do. What this means is each time he inserted a key, it would ask something like, "please insert the next key you would like programmed." My tech ended adding all the keys (total of 5, 3 existing and 2 new flip keys). It probably took less than 15 seconds per key to be programmed (I think the program gives 17 sec of idle time between key programs).