Need to reprogram my key fob?

Tiny
ALYSSA EDMONDSON
  • MEMBER
  • 2017 HONDA CRV
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 73,000 MILES
A year ago, my car was towed away and when I got my car back my original key fob didn’t work anymore. It worked just fine until they did something with another key.

I was wondering if it’s possible to reprogram my key without buying a completely new one? And how to do that? Since my local locksmiths say they don’t reprogram keys, they only program new key fobs.
Sunday, February 11th, 2024 AT 9:04 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,724 POSTS
Hi,

I'm not sure what they would have done, but in theory, you should be able to reregister the original key so that it works. However, you will need a bidirectional scan tool.

If you look below, I attached the directions. Let me know if that helps.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.
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Sunday, February 11th, 2024 AT 4:19 PM
Tiny
ALYSSA EDMONDSON
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
It just left me with more questions. What is an immobilizer key? What is a bidirectional scanner? Where would I get one? Do I need to buy one? This wasn’t even close to helpful.
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Monday, February 12th, 2024 AT 6:47 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,452 POSTS
Immobilizer key - most modern keys have a tag in them similar to the tags used in stores to prevent theft. When that key is put in the ignition the vehicle's security system reads that tag and compares it to the ones it has stored in memory. If they match the key will work, if not the engine might turn over but the security system turns off the fuel and ignition, so the engine won't run.
A bi-Directional scanner is a tool that can read trouble codes but can also communicate with the modules in the vehicle to test or activate them or to allow access to do things like program keys or erase keys. That is likely what they did to make your key not work. Unless you are planning on doing work on multiple vehicles these are not something you buy just to do a few keys as they are very expensive and can be "fussy" when it comes to keys.
If the local locksmiths can't (or won't) program in your existing key, you are left to find someone else who can and will. That would be a dealer or some of the small shops or mobile mechanics who offer those services. You should be able to find a local one by looking online. Especially if you are near any larger metropolitan center.
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Monday, February 12th, 2024 AT 8:34 PM

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