first off sorry that you lost the key , could happen to anyone .. and it is going to cost a bit of money.. but in this new age of computer and electronics small chips can cost a lot and the equipment to repair them cost A LOT MORE ..You are correct the key itself cannot cost more than 5 dollars but the programming is what costs a lot,, and to do so you have to buy sophisticated equipments which is where the big bucks go,,

 

Thank you for posting a educated answer to this delima that has happened. Keep control of the keys and you wont have to pay the large fee to fix...lose the key and pay the banker who has the solution to the problem:

WheelBrokerAng

 

First off, as an observer of this post, I have to comment that I'd be perfectly happy without the transponder keys. Unfortunately, probably due to insurance companies, we have them with no choice, kinda like seat belts.
In response to the Ford guy, I'd mention that a Ford transponder key can be programmed by anyone with an owners manual and TWO original keys. The blanks can be found online for 10 bucks or so. Ask me how I know this works.
So, if it can be done with a Ford key, it's possible that Honda could have made it possible as well if they had wanted to, but it's obviously a good money maker for the dealers. There's new legislation that will remove this monopoly from dealers and let locksmiths program keys. You might try checking that out.

 

I AGREE......I had to program a navigator key this way and it worked well....Charging for programing is weak if you service your car at their dealership on a regular basis. it is a way to charge big buck for a small fix. i know a honda dealership that will do it for free, maybe its why they are one of the top dealers in the US

 

I just bought a used '01 Accord, which only had one key. I found streetkeys.com who will sell you the keyblank and set you up with a local locksmith who can program it.

Honda wanted $60 for one master key, $90 for two. I paid $65 for two keys.

I don't know if it will help you or no, but it can't hurt to check out the site.

 

Recieved the key blanks last night. Brought them in to the associated locksmith today. 5 minutes later, I had two keys that worked beautifully.

 

*L* there's a post in the DIY section on how to program keys.... The funny thing/sad thing about all of this, I called a lexus dealership and asked him about keys for my wife's car, he tells me it's $240.00 for a key but you can get blanks off ebay for cheap and he would walk me through (over the phone no less) how to re-program it.... That's quality customer service, he saved me money and offered his expertise in programing for free just because I owned the type of vehicle that they service.... the real kicker of this deal, I live 250 miles away from that dealership and he knows it (closest one to me) so they are fully aware that they won't get so much as an oil change out of me....

 

Hondadude I admire your knowledge and input to help people here including myself.Sometimes, like now, I feel you have crossedthe line. Why do you ridicule people when a simple helpful answer will be more to the point? You and DH answer questions that are beyond we mere mortals but that doesn't give you the right to dump on those asking questions. For instanceI don't think that honda-dude was trying to copy your signature, it was simply a coincidence.......yet you continue to crap on him. If you are going to present yourself as a problem solver, which you are, it does not include the right to ridicule those that have made a comment or a question.

Feel free to fry me totally if you feel I am dead wrong......ALL readers included.

HD, sometimes we all have a bad day but there's no reason to take it out here when the day is done. I mean no offense to you at all and certainly hope you don't take it as so.

Rick

 

Thank You Rick for your good input as usual..your one of the reasons why we run a good program on the HAF..

All members are entitled to Free Speech as long as it's kept CIVIL [sm=exactly.gif]WheelBrokerAng