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Programming new remote

44705 Views 38 Replies 17 Participants Last post by  nacranym, 
V
Hi you guys,

Thank you! You were all so helpful in my earlier query about purchasing a new keyless remote entry thingie.

I did indeed get one on eBay. It was great! So much less $$! But I'm confused about how to program it. The Element manual (2008 ) only says, keyless remotes must be programmed by the dealer. My seller disagrees. Here are the instructions the seller emailed me:

************
Here is the instruction:
Note:
Entering the programming mode cancels all learned keyless remotes, so none of the previously programmed
remotes will work. You must reprogram all of the keyless remotes once you are in the programming mode.
You must complete each step within 5 seconds of the previous step to keep the system from exiting
the programming mode.

1. Turn ignition switch to ON (II)

2. Press the LOCK or UNOCK button on one of the remotes. (An unprogrammed remote can be used for this
step.)

3. Turn ignition switch to LOCK (0)

4. Repeat steps 1, 2 and 3 two more times using the same keyless remote used in step 2

5. Turn the ignition switch to ON (II)

6. Press the LOCK or UNLOCK button the same remote. Make sure the power door locks cycle to confirm you
are in programming mode.

7. Press the LOCK or UNLOCK button on each remote you want to program. Make sure door locks cycle
after you push each remote button to confirm system has accepted the remote.

8. Turn the igniton switch to LOCK (0) to exit programming mode.

9. Test remote(s)

**********
The exact number of cycles on which remote, is confusing to me from the above instructions. Here's what I *think* they mean--?

It sounds like you would go through the cycle (steps 1-3) a total of 3 times with the first remote.
Then you do it again (still the same, first remote) and see if the power door locks cycle--?
And then (without turning the ignition key again) you push the lock or unlock button on the 2nd remote? and see if the door locks cycle?
And then you exit the whole thing by turning the key off?

Aaah! Please advise! I am leaving in about 30 hours for a long trip, and I'd love to have 2 remotes available just in case we happened to lose one.

Also--Does anyone happen to know--If you lock the E without pushing the button twice to activate the alarm--Does the alarm automatically turn itself on? Or could you enter the vehicle with the spare key (no remote)?

Thanks everyone!
Happy E-ing! :)
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V
P.S.
Of course I'm afraid to try it with these confusing instructions--because I don't want to deprogram my working remote and then not be able to figure out how to get either of them up and running. I think there's a risk of going from 1 working remote, to none!
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Dom.five
It's easy !

The instructions will work!

Just start with one remote, and stay with it until it programs. Then go to the next remote.

If it fails on your first try, it's no big deal. It will work as it should if you stay within the 5 seconds.

Dom
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V
So you can tell it's working when you run through (steps 1-3) and the power door locks cycle?
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V
Fantastic! It totally worked!

Hurrah!

Thanks--you guys are so knowledge-able and helpful!
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Freddy the Element
Erased my remote?

I bought a second remote and was going through the instructions to program it, but I did something wrong because now my original remote is not working at all. I fear I erased my original -- is there a fix to this or do I have to go to the dealer? Searched the forums but couldn't find a solution . . .

Thanks.
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AztecRol
Freddy the Element said:
I bought a second remote and was going through the instructions to program it, but I did something wrong because now my original remote is not working at all. I fear I erased my original -- is there a fix to this or do I have to go to the dealer? Searched the forums but couldn't find a solution . . .

Thanks.
Click to expand...
Moved your thread into here. The instructions are here. Did you program ALL
your remotes?? Im guessing you programmed just the new remote. If so, then
yes, you did something wrong. If you did, then not sure, try it again.
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Freddy the Element
AztecRol said:
Moved your thread into here. The instructions are here. Did you program ALL
your remotes?? Im guessing you programmed just the new remote. If so, then
yes, you did something wrong. If you did, then not sure, try it again.
Click to expand...
Thanks -- I started the process over again and after about 6 cycles of "On - press lock - LOCK", the old remote sprang back to life, thank God. Then I programmed the second remote without issue. Now I just have to find someone to cut the key!

Not sure I can do a plug here, but I got mine on ebay from "artiway" for $24.99 plus shipping and it came quickly and it worked flawlessly . . .
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AztecRol
Freddy the Element said:
Thanks -- I started the process over again and after about 6 cycles of "On - press lock - LOCK", the old remote sprang back to life, thank God. Then I programmed the second remote without issue. Now I just have to find someone to cut the key!

Not sure I can do a plug here, but I got mine on ebay from "artiway" for $24.99 plus shipping and it came quickly and it worked flawlessly . . .
Click to expand...
Good to hear. As for getting the key cut, call all the dealers within 30 minutes
of you. You will probably get a different price from each one. You will find one
that will do it for $10 - $20 at the most. Keep us posted.
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S
Programming the keys

I have looked, but I think my search-fu is broken, so maybe someone can help me.
In my job, I am in charge of over 200 vehicles, and am in charge of making sure we have extra keys. Alas we don't have any Hondas, mostly Ford, Chevy, and now Prius. 99% of the keys that have a chip in them are easy to program for the Ford's and Chevy's. All you do is take the two original black keys, insert one key turn on engine, turn off engine, remove first key, insert second key, turn on engine, turn off engine, remove key, insert newly cut "blank" key, turn on engine>>>>Voila, new key programmed.
Is this the way Honda keys are done too?
Does anyone know?

If so this may save someone some $ from having the dealer program the keys when you can get them cut, and program them yourself.
The only problem for me is that when I bought my car, there was only one black key and one grey key :( and one remote so now I need to get another one and figure out how to program it.
Thanks!
Sammie
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AztecRol
Not sure how you are searching Sammielexie, but I just typed "Program Remote"
into the search box on the right, and this thread was the 6th one down on the
list!!! The search button that the forum provides works great. If you use the
advance search, it works even better!!! As for the google search, it has been
pointed out to the Admin that it doesnt work. Its being looked at.
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Freddy the Element
I'd like to know if this works. I have a key/remote combo I got off Ebay, I programmed the remote (works fine), I had the key cut (turns the lock), but the car won't start. I have to have the key chip programmed. Any answers, or am I off to the dealer?
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AztecRol
Some locksmiths can program the key, but your best bet is to have the
dealer do it. Your answer is in here, enjoy your reading:

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32226
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S
If you have the two original black keys try programing it yourself. If not try a dealer.
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AztecRol
Sammielexie said:
If you have the two original black keys try programing it yourself. If not try a dealer.
Click to expand...
Freddy the Element is talking about the chip that allows the E to recognize
the key and allow it to start your E. Programming the remote to lock and
unlock your doors is one step. Its a step that anyone can do. Adding the
chip to the immobilizer portion of the E can not be done without the proper
software/computer.
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Freddy the Element
AztecRol said:
Freddy the Element is talking about the chip that allows the E to recognize
the key and allow it to start your E. Programming the remote to lock and
unlock your doors is one step. Its a step that anyone can do. Adding the
chip to the immobilizer portion of the E can not be done without the proper
software/computer.
Click to expand...
Quite right. I called the locksmith who cut my keys and he says he can program the chip so the car will start with the new key for $60 (this is on top of the $32 I spent for the blank key/remote, and $30 to cut the key itself). I was able to program the remote myself easily.

I am going to see if he'll give me a break since he already got $30 out of me for cutting the key. But, looks like this key/remote fully functioning will be a $122 expense, which horrified me until I called the dealership and if I'd gone to them from the get-go, it would be $280-$320 -- ridiculous. But that's still cheap compared to my Volvo, which has a key that can ONLY be created by the dealer, and that will cost $450 . . .

I will update on Friday if the locksmith gets it running.
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S
AztecRol said:
Freddy the Element is talking about the chip that allows the E to recognize
the key and allow it to start your E. Programming the remote to lock and
unlock your doors is one step. Its a step that anyone can do. Adding the
chip to the immobilizer portion of the E can not be done without the proper
software/computer.
Click to expand...
I know, I was referencing my post where I described how in my work I program chipped keys for the cars there. I don't know if the Honda keys work the same way. That is what I needed an answer for. For Ford and Chevy cars all you need is the two original keys and you can program the third key with them. It is very easy to do and outrageous that the dealers charge so much for the service tech to spend 3 min turning on and off keys.

I was not talking about the key-less key-fob.

I guess my real question was: Has anyone seen the dealer program the key? How exactly do they do it? Do they plug it into a computer, or do they program it a I described earlier?
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AztecRol
Sammielexie said:
I know, I was referencing my post where I described how in my work I program chipped keys for the cars there. I don't know if the Honda keys work the same way. That is what I needed an answer for. For Ford and Chevy cars all you need is the two original keys and you can program the third key with them. It is very easy to do and outrageous that the dealers charge so much for the service tech to spend 3 min turning on and off keys.

I was not talking about the key-less key-fob.

I guess my real question was: Has anyone seen the dealer program the key? How exactly do they do it? Do they plug it into a computer, or do they program it a I described earlier?
Click to expand...
My real question is, are you reading any of the posts in this thread???
Freddy the Element seems to understand everything I am saying.

When I typed this "Adding the chip to the immobilizer portion of the E
can not be done without the proper software/computer." I didnt pull
it out of my cookie jar. If you would do some real reading, you will see that
what I said has already answered your question. If you do some real reading
you will see that what I said has been confirmed by people who work at Honda,
other E owners that have had this done, and myself. I watched them do it
for my flip key. There is a member on this site whos username is Locksmith.
(I will give you one guess to what he does for a living.) He has also confirmed
this. If you could program the immobilizer chip with a couple of turns of a key,
why would everyone here be at the dealership spending $50 - $100 to get it
done?? This is a group of very intelligent, resourceful, frugal, and passionate
Element owners. Please do some searching and some reading, you will see
what I am talking about.
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Freddy the Element
For the record, I just want to add that I tried the "put in the first key, put in the second key, put in the new key" thing and it doesn't work. Have to have the key programmed by a locksmith or dealer. I imagine they update the immobilizer with software, that's it.
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Freddy the Element
Oh, and many thanks to AztecRol for patiently answering my questions and showing the way, I appreciate it.
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