View Full Version : DIY: Make your own 2005 key combo!


megauo
11-11-2004, 03:10 PM
Hi RX-ers!

After much deliberation I decided to start to fab my own combined key out of the key and the remote.

First I was worried about toring my key appart but now I know there is nothing to worry about. You can easily cut the key open and remove the immo transponder chip and use it later.

What you need to do is:

1. Use a paper-knife to open up your key. Make a round cut, from metal to metal about 2mm deep. You don't have to worry about cuttig too deep because there is a hard plastic cage inside or the metal body of the key itself.

2. Open the hard plastic casing and remove the transponder chip. Try to pry it out with a small sliced screw driver. It might take time but don't worry the chip is made out of some really hard stuff. You can even cut the plastic around it if neccessary.

3. Cut the metal key to shape to fit in the remote (see pic, where to cut).

4. Heat up the key on a girdle grab with pincers and put between the pair of the two parts of your remote housing. The inner parts (rubber, PCB) have to be removed before this step.

5. Shape the plastic parts with a fine grater and cutter to final shape. Check the fitting of the key inside until the two parts and the key alighn perfectly

6. Glue the key in with some strong stuff like Loctite 454. Be careful to glue the key and one plastic side only:), otherwise you'll have a hard time to change battery in the remote.

7. Put the transponder chip inside the case as shown. Check if car starts fine. If not (red key flickers, no starter) reverse the chip until good. Fix the transponder with one drop of glue.

8. Enjoy rattle free startups and ride with your new key!


I'm quite satisfied with the result. I'll fix the holes later though, but the original grain is hard to reproduce.

Good luck, it's definitely worth a try!

Vaillant
11-11-2004, 03:29 PM
Wow! :eek: Great job! I wouldn't have figured there would be room to do that.

What's a "tape cutter"?

~ Matt

DreRX8
11-11-2004, 03:44 PM
NIce--now if only we could fab the retractable unit. Nice job nonetheless

Slims8
11-11-2004, 04:49 PM
I like it, I just don't see how I'm going to put it on my key ring! Oh well, I still like it.

MyRxBad
11-12-2004, 11:35 AM
Good job on the taking the time to do this, but I'm curious as to why you didn't buy a 2005 key fob as they are reprogrammable to work in the 2004 cars?

megauo
11-13-2004, 04:56 AM
Vaillant:
Corrected to paper-knife

Slims8:
That's the point of it! I don't like my keys and remote dangling on the dash while driving around.

MyRxBad:
Is that so? Last time I heard they sad a different frequency is used for the remote or something like that.

Anyway I just had two creative hours to spend :) I'm still working on the finishing to hide the holes on the key.
I love this key a lot!

RXE16T
11-13-2004, 05:57 AM
Interesting mod!
I've got 3 spare keys and a spare transponder fob, so I might try this tomorrow.

magixpuma
11-13-2004, 09:42 AM
looks good happy driving in hungary

Omicron
11-13-2004, 04:54 PM
VERY nice job, megauo! Moving this thread to the DIY forum. :D

MyRxBad
11-15-2004, 11:22 AM
Vaillant:
MyRxBad:
Is that so? Last time I heard they sad a different frequency is used for the remote or something like that.

Anyway I just had two creative hours to spend :) I'm still working on the finishing to hide the holes on the key.
I love this key a lot!

Apprently a few people on here have done it on there own using the orginal programming method, since the initail "It's not possible threads."

wootwoot
11-15-2004, 11:38 AM
well done! keep up the gd job!!
\

megauo
11-20-2004, 02:19 PM
Just fount a pic of the 2005 key and the fob.

http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=27730

I have to say I prefer my solution still! Key and fob in one sleek unit :)

Rotary Rasp
11-21-2004, 02:09 AM
NICE! How much more horsepower does it add? :)

megauo
11-21-2004, 05:31 PM
I'm not sure. For me it still looks two separate units the key is much bigger though. I just don't see the point why make it so much bigger if no other use but sill just a key (with small immo chip)?

There migh be a chance to fit the 04' remote PCB (fob) inside, but I doubt it. You'd have to position the buttons etc. No way I think!

Tamas
11-21-2004, 07:20 PM
Ummm... Tamás, the 2005 key is a ONE piece unit. The metal part folds into the fob like a pocket knife... press the knob that is on the right hand side piece on that picture and the key opens.
The pic only shows an illustration when the key is folded vs. when open, and also is photographed from both sides.
Yours is a nice solution, but the metal part doesn't fold. Thus, it will be a fairly long unit that can poke you :D

megauo
11-22-2004, 03:53 AM
Thanks Tamas for the clarification!

Tamas
11-22-2004, 04:37 AM
yea so the simplest thing would be to get a 2005 blank key get it cut then program the key + alarm/trunk buttons
is this possible yet? any1 on the forums done it yet?
Yes, it is. (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=42115) More expensive than this DIY though :D

Tamas
11-23-2004, 01:58 AM
Will this help?
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=43873