So I've got a 2003 SXT and only one original key.
I went to the dealership and they wanted $140 for a new key saying that it was "chipped."
Is this a load of BS??
The key its a single piece of metal. How is it possible for it to make an electrical circuit to communicate with the key when there is only a single contact??
I've also got a busted ignition cylinder that allows me to pull the key out with the engine still running. If there really was a chip, wouldn't this cut the engine out??
Replacement Keys!
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Caraudioholic24
- 2GN Member
- Posts: 4135
- Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2008 1:56 am
- Location: Cumberland R.I.
well does ur key have a grey rubber casing?? if so yes it is chipped as long as no one has tampered with the skim reader and rigged something up....
the chip is embedded in the rubber casing...no electrical parts in the key itself but the chip. It sends a resistance code to a ring of copper wiring around your ignition cyl when you insert the key and turn the igintion.
If you only hav e one then yes it may cost you a little bit to get it programmed....if you had 2 keys programmed to the car the 3rd key and up can be programmed by yourself and cost you 15 dollars....i would call around to a few locksmiths as they are starting to get into the key programming....the one i deal with locally for my remote start jobs chargeds me 50 bux for a cut key with it programmed to the car...
the chip is embedded in the rubber casing...no electrical parts in the key itself but the chip. It sends a resistance code to a ring of copper wiring around your ignition cyl when you insert the key and turn the igintion.
If you only hav e one then yes it may cost you a little bit to get it programmed....if you had 2 keys programmed to the car the 3rd key and up can be programmed by yourself and cost you 15 dollars....i would call around to a few locksmiths as they are starting to get into the key programming....the one i deal with locally for my remote start jobs chargeds me 50 bux for a cut key with it programmed to the car...
what he said 
the chip in your key is for security purposes, so although you're paying
more to get a spare, at least you have less of a change of someone
driving away in your car.
without the chip your car won't run properly. its to prevent people
from being able to duplicate your key for $10 and drive off in your car.
the secondary key must be programmed so the car will recognize the
key.
and yes, i too recommend checking around to see who else can set
up your spare. i got one cut for $10, but it only opens the driver door
since it doesnt have a chip in it. i tried starting the car with it, but the
alarm light stays on and the car engine cuts out within seconds.
the people who cut the key told me my car used a chipped key so i
had to get another spare programmed, and they told me that an
Ace Hardware store could easily program me a new key.
the chip in your key is for security purposes, so although you're paying
more to get a spare, at least you have less of a change of someone
driving away in your car.
without the chip your car won't run properly. its to prevent people
from being able to duplicate your key for $10 and drive off in your car.
the secondary key must be programmed so the car will recognize the
key.
and yes, i too recommend checking around to see who else can set
up your spare. i got one cut for $10, but it only opens the driver door
since it doesnt have a chip in it. i tried starting the car with it, but the
alarm light stays on and the car engine cuts out within seconds.
the people who cut the key told me my car used a chipped key so i
had to get another spare programmed, and they told me that an
Ace Hardware store could easily program me a new key.
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occasional demons
- Junior Admin
- Posts: 20067
- Joined: Thu May 03, 2007 12:14 pm
- Location: Ashland Ohio
Being able to pull the key out could be due to the key and cylinder being worn. My key will stay in or pull out, depending on which side is up. It comes in handy for leaving it running when you make a quick trip into the store in cold weather, especially if it hasn't warmed up all the way. Once the engine is started and running for a minute, possibly it doesn't need the SKIM signal.
Bill
2000 Neon MTX swap with '02 R/T PCM
1999 neon coupe 2.4 swap
Probably shouldn't listen to anything your penis says, that guy's a dick.
Too much time spent here is a sign of a bad case of Ownaneonvirus.Patience, of course, is a very powerful weapon, but sometimes I start to regret that it is not a firearm.
2000 Neon MTX swap with '02 R/T PCM
1999 neon coupe 2.4 swap
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darthroush
- 2GN Member
- Posts: 1637
- Joined: Tue Jul 14, 2009 2:14 am
- Location: People's Republic of Kalifornia
You can get a key on eBay for around $10-$15. A local store can cut they key (the guy at Lowe's started talking to me and cut both of my keys for free; maybe you can luck out too and save the $2 here). After that, a local shop or locksmith can and will probably program it for cheaper than the dealer. You can call and compare prices for programming. Yes, it'll take you a little bit of time, but it could save you a decent amount of money, considering.