No keyhole in door

Thanks a lot. I'll let you know what I find.

I just checked this at a second dealer and that salesman also was clueless about how to get in without the remote. He tried to use the hole on the bottom of the handle and couldn't. This looks like a tremendous disadvantage if one is in a hurry or it is raining since you have to look up at the underside of the handle. It's also a good way to scratch the paint when trying to put the key in nearly flush with the side of the door. He could not do it and had to get instructions from someone inside. When he got the keyhole cover off, he couldn't put it on without it falling off. I asked if it would work if I simply drilled a hole in the cover and he said that would work. A drain hole in the bottom might also be needed to be sure water wouldn't be trapped inside.

Now that I think about it more, the key is not long enough to use with the cover on and to keep the cover off exposes bare metal parts around the keyhole. It looks bad without the cover, like part of the handle has been broken off. Looks like I'll have to design my own cover.

I wonder if they can replace the entire handle with one from another car that uses a standard keyhole.

It looks like the keys are not made to be removed from the remote to be put onto a regular keychain. The remote gets in the way of getting the key into the hidden hole at the right angle. They seemed surprised that I would not want to use the remote. Maybe they never heard that car thieves can easily capture the remote signals to get access to a car. Keys are more secure. For the same reason I would not program a car with my home garage door opener code, which I've seen on some other makes of cars.

About the keyhole being covered: It looks like I can extend the 'button' under the keyhole cap to stick out the bottom a little so I can push it up with my finger. Then I can keep the cover on but still remove it easily. Even if the cover was kept off, it's made of non-rusting metal. It can be camouflaged by painting it to match the car without having the paint interfere with anything as long as it's kept from the lock tumbler

About removing the key from the remote: The dealer knew I wanted the key removed for over a week and I would not accept the car without this. Last Friday they said it would be done. Today they said they couldn't do it.

I got to talk to a rep from Kia who happened to be visiting and he's looking into this. I also got a phone number for Kia Corporate HQ to try to talk with someone who knows more about these remotes because I have a few ideas to run by them and nobody at the dealer knows enough.

Just tonight I searched YouTube for videos on repairing the Kia remote & saw the chip is not connected to the remote circuit. It absolutely can be taken out if necessary, like if the original remote breaks. So it seems like all I have to do is remove it, though the remote case usually has to be destroyed to get it out. Then all I have to do is keep this little plastic coated chip (it looks

Less than 1 cm x 0.5 cm) near the now free key. Apparently, it's possible to get a spare key cut by a locksmith. The circuit board inside can also pop right out to be used an an aftermarket case. Some videos said replacing the remotes could cost $300.00 to $350.00 so keep the parts.

Since the dealer wasted my time and made me re-rent a car while I get this figured out, I wonder if I can get them to knock another $100.00 off the price because they didn't address this problem sooner?

Kia Corp CR couldn't find anyone at that location who knew enough about how the fobs were made. I went to the dealer telling them Corp says "they should know how to give me a key without a fob." The dealer eventually cut me a new key from a blank not attached to a fob at no charge. The car starts fine without the fob. I keep the cover off the keyhole to make entry easier. If I want to put it on, a short extension of the button allows me to remove it with a finger push. I have the original keys and their intact fobs as spares to sell with the car someday. Thanks.