Can I get less expensive copies of Honda transponder keys?

November 13, 2007 8:56 PM

I just bought a 2000 Honda Odyssey and I need at least one more key. Now I find out that Honda keys are expensive to get because of the antitheft system. Do I have to pay what the dealerships are going to charge?

It came with two factory keys, but I need at least one more and prefer to have two more. I stopped at the locksmith where I have all my keys made, and they told me they don't make Honda keys - that I have to go to a dealership.

I've been googling tonight, looking for alternatives, and what little I have found sounds alarming. What I've read about alternatives sounds dicey and possibly something that could cause problems.

Does anyone know for sure if this can be done (by a technologically average - or less than average - person), and if so, is it significantly cheaper than a dealership?

posted by onemorething to Travel & Transportation (5 answers total)

If you just want a key that will open the doors, a standard key might work. If you want a key that will start the car, you need the special Honda key that has a transmitter in it and the key has to be registered with the car's ECU in order for it to work. AFAIK there is no way around this, and it's the same with many auto manufacturers. IF you could just go to a locksmith and obtain such a key, that would defeat the purpose of your fancy ignition security system.
posted by bizwank at 9:34 PM on November 13, 2007

When I was looking for a replacement fob for worn-out (and cracked) key fobs for my '05 Altima about a year ago, I hit up eBay.

Doing the same for your '00 Honda Odyssey brings up this which says an uncut transponder key can be programmed by either the dealer or a locksmith.

I've no idea about specifics, but it sounds pretty simple.
posted by revmitcz at 12:00 AM on November 14, 2007

Street Keys

$43 for an aftermarket chipped key cut at the shop in my zip code.

I haven't used them.
posted by donpardo at 6:20 AM on November 14, 2007 [2 favorites]

Ask your dealership about a valet key.

It's the same as your transponder key, except that it doesn't have the trunk, lock, and unlock buttons. Also, the valet key has grey plastic instead of black, and it's cut slightly wider than the original keys.

Honda valet keys only open doors and start the engine. The glove compartment, gas lever lock, rear seat key release, and trunk all need the owner's key in order to open.

The fact that you don't have a valet key makes me suspect that you bought your Odyssey used, and that the original owner lost it or forgot to give it to you/the dealer that sold it to you.
posted by SlyBevel at 1:58 PM on November 14, 2007

And...

If you don't lock the trunk/gas levers, and you don't lock your glove compartment, then a valet key is just as functional as an owner's key. It just lacks the remote.
posted by SlyBevel at 2:01 PM on November 14, 2007