Do you really need to disconnect the negative battery cable to install the keyless?

Wow, right when I posted that the UPS man knocked on my door. That was a long wait! And it is so small. They couldn't put that standard on the EX models?

I didn't.

My true story.......

When i got my keyless installed by my dealer, he asked if my car was an LX? I said no, it was the top of the line EX model and it dosen't come in LX either. He said, if it is then it should of came at the factory :?

I didn't unplug mine either, ... it's a quick (like one second) snap to install the thingie, so I didn't see the point of having to reprogram the radio and window.

I suppose there may be a minor danger of electric shock when attaching the device under the dash. I risked it.

I disconnected my battery for the Keyless Entry Installation, following the "better safe than sorry" rule. I waited to re-program the radio until I installed the security system, which followed a few days later.

If only Honda would have designed the radio memory with a back-up battery to preserve the settings during service work. That reprogramming thing can get old real quick.

I was too impatient to disconnect the battery, but didn't have any problems. I get the feeling the disconnect the battery thing is just to get the procedure to take longer than 3 minutes. That way it doesn't look as bad whent the dealer charges 70 bucks or whatever.

I was kinda impressed that the official Honda instructions have the tech write down the presets to reset the radio for the customer after reconnecting the battery -- never thought it might be a way to bill more labor! :D

Okay, what is that beep!?! If you open your doors quick enough after you unlock them with the keyless, there is a short beep followed by a long beep...what is that and how do I get rid of it?!?

The beep is the headlight / parking light beeper. The lights flash to give you visual cue that the door(s) have been locked or unlocked. The system for the lights detects that there is no key in the ignition and thus the beep.
It beeps continuously if you turn your lights on and remove the ignition key.
I really don't think that you want to get rid of it as its real purpose is to keep you from draining your battery. 8)

Oh, so when the lights flash when you lock/unlock the car the beep beeps! That is gonna drive me crazy! :D Thanks for the info!

The easy solution to this is to hit the UNLOCK button from a further distance so you're not already inside of the car when it turns on/off the headlights. hehe :D

True, good point. But, I don't think I should have to think so much to unlock my car. :D

i have a 2003 ex and i just got my keyless sent by hand-a accessories. i looked at element-j pictures but my dash seems to be connected to the body of the center console and does not easily drop down. is this happening to anyone else out there? i replaced the cover as i did not want to force it down lest if pull the center console body away from its moorings.

any advice or do i now have to go to the dealer?

Are you talking about the panel that pops off with the two big plastic screws? I had a little trouble getting it loose but it did finally come off...try pushing it back in and pulling it out from the side that you are having trouble getting to detach first.

Even after you turn the screw-things clockwise, there are still 6 retaining clips holding it on.. Mine took a slight tug to get out. Have you seen the PDF instructions that're on Handa's site?

[quote:765c73b8d7="mamasan"]i have a 2003 ex and i just got my keyless sent by hand-a accessories. i looked at element-j pictures but my dash seems to be connected to the body of the center console and does not easily drop down. is this happening to anyone else out there? i replaced the cover as i did not want to force it down lest if pull the center console body away from its moorings.

any advice or do i now have to go to the dealer?[/quote:765c73b8d7]

If you are trying to open the center console to install your keyless unit, you are way off! The door is to the left of the console, more under the steering wheel area. I have an EX also. It wasn't difficult at all. Just turn the two knobs to release the plastic cover and pull it down. Get a flashlight and look high up on the left side for the bolt hole and module mounting area. The cable is nearby (wrapped in blue tape if I remember correctly). Just unwrap a little and plug it in. Very easy. You shouldn't have to program it either. Mine worked right out of the box. Good luck.

i did disconnect it :roll:
but it is a easy diy :D
and the keyless entry is free from dealer as i negotiated and
insisted if not..then i am not buying element
so they ended up give me the parts only
and i know installation is a piece of cake :D

From what I've read, almost nobody disconnected their battery for keyless install, as it's a quick snap-in piece. The chance fr electrical shock is pretty much slim to none, as there is almost no way of missing. The hardest part was taking off the cover, which required a bit more force than I was comfortable with (although the force required to remove the steering wheel was a LOT more, and I was VERY uncomfortable with doing that). I also sort of screwed up, because I read the instructions, then went out and tried to wing it. I put the keyless unit where the alarm unit is supposed to snap in, but since I don't think I'll ever get the alarm, I don't care.

Oz

The easy solution to this is to hit the UNLOCK button from a further distance so you're not already inside of the car when it turns on/off the headlights. hehe

True, but don't unlock your car from TOO far away, because it will re-lock itself within 30 seconds :shock:

Quote text: From what I've read, almost nobody disconnected their battery for keyless install


It's not really a good idea to work on electrical components without disconnecting the battery. You risk shorting something out by dropping a tool, bolt or anything metal. The probability is small but why risk it when it takes a short moment to disconnect the battery cable.

Grimes

yes...
i did discount the battery before i install the keyless entry
after all.u just need to enter the code for the radio :roll: :D

[quote:98cea69cf5="grimes"]It's not really a good idea to work on electrical components without disconnecting the battery. You risk shorting something out by dropping a tool, bolt or anything metal. The probability is small but why risk it when it takes a short moment to disconnect the battery cable.

Grimes[/quote:98cea69cf5]

So I assume you flip the circuit breakers in your house every time you go to plug something in? It's effectively the same procedure.

Oz

It's effectively the same procedure.


Not really. Would you install a car stereo without disconnecting the battery cable? How about when replacing your stock steering wheel with one of those fine leather Pilot steering wheels? It's not a matter of electricution, it's about screwing up you electrical system. Remember, there is a hot lead in the keyless entry circuit.

Look, if we are giving installation advice to newbies, who profess not to be gearheads, let's give them the best advice we can!

So please, disconnect your negative battery cable any time you're working on your electrical system.

[quote]It's effectively the same procedure.Not really. Would you install a car stereo without disconnecting the battery cable?[/quote:6957437d90]

Um. "oops"

-brendan

I would not presume to disagree with grimes, but for this specific device I did not, and would not disconnect the battery. There are no live, exposed "hot" circuits anywhere near where this thing plugs in. What's more, until gravity is reversed (and nutdrivers fall upwards!) there is NO risk involved here. A dropped tool may well poke your eye out, but it cannot possibly contact a live electrical circuit on this install. While I admit to having some experience doing this sort of mod, what I really DIDN'T want to do was re-program the radio or the power window express-up feature on the driver's side.

And for the two knob drop-down door sticking? Do it like you would removing a bandage - you may think it will hurt worse than pulling gently, but just yank that thing downward on the centerline side. It's not as vulnerable to breaking mysterious little connector-thingies as other mod locations are. Or, since it's pretty soft plastic, gently bend it into whatever shape it needs to be to get the message that you're going to have your way with it, no matter what! Others will attest that it takes longer to describe it than to actually do it.

I promise I'll shut up, but just one final comment: Please refer to Step #2 in the following link

https://hondacuraworld.hostasaurus.com/Merchant2/instructions/element/keylessentry.pdf


BTW, I'm grateful to everyone who posts on this site. I've been following most the threads since I bought my E last May and I cannot say enough about how much useful information I've garnered!!!!

I disconnected my battery cable for the steering wheel swap, but for a 2 minute "plug-in" type connection, I would have had about 10 minutes of work to reprogram my radio. The keyless entry mod is about the EASIEST thing I've ever done to a car, and that includes putting gas in.

Oz

8) I feel a little silly asking this question, but here goes. For those of you who have installed the keyless entry, does it unlock both the driver and passenger side doors. It would make sense that it would, but it also would have made sense for Honda to put a power door lock button on the passenger side... but they didn't.
Just got my silver EX Element on Friday, and my only wish is for the keyless entry. I'll be ordering it soon from Handa accessories online. Install looks pretty easy!

reedsilver- push the button once, the drivers side unlocks, push the button again, all doors/tailgate unlock, don't open any doors within ~30 seconds, all doors lock again (prevents accidental unlocking). I love it.

Thanks! I can't wait to get it!

I installed the Honda-brand keyless entry (bought from H-and-A) yesterday afternoon. It took about 10 minutes from opening the box to having two working and tested remotes.

I did not disconnect the battery cable, which sped things up dramatically (no having to reprogram the radio and such), and the result is a keyless system that's working perfectly. The chance of electrical zaps seemed so small with a tiny plug-and-socket combo like this, that it wasn't worth the extra precaution.

For those intending to do this, a flashlight will help find the place where the bracket mounts; it's a bit out of the way but not uncomfortable to reach.