I have a 2000 NSX which uses the '97+ style key with the immobilizer chip in the head of the key. I wanted the cool looking all metal key. So this is what I did to get the Monel Key to work.
*Updated to included a better explanation and answer a few questions I have recevied*
1. Get yourself a couple of T5 clone keys off of ebay. There are several options. Don't worry about how they look or if they are different than mine. They just need to state T5 clone and work on Honda/Acura. An example would be below. This one happens to have an Acura label while others will have a Honda label. Does not matter. You are buying these for the chip inside and possibly just to have a spare key. If you search you can probably find cheaper that give you several keys.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Red-A-A...ash=item4d37d272ff:g:-~oAAOSwLqFV7iwl&vxp=mtr
2. Buy a "Titanium" Monel Key. They show up on ebay and Prime occassionally. Also you could as your dealer. But the easiest way is to hit up SOS and buy one from them.
https://www.scienceofspeed.com/inde...titanium-look-key-blank-nsx-1991-96-only.html
3. Go get your keys cut and cloned. Don't waste your time or money with a dealership! I will say it again. Don't waste your time or money with a dealership! Ok now that we have that straight.
4. I would recommend finding a local locksmith. They be able to cut and clone your new keys based on one of your currently working key. Ideally you have a spare working key which is basically unused. Use that one as using the everyday key will have worn down edges. You will get a better copy/cut from your spare key which should still have clean sharp edges and not be worn down from use. ***You do not need to bring your car.*** Just the keys. Remember you are cloning(copying) a preprogrammed chip to another, you are not creating a new code. Anyone that tells you to bring the car is an idiot and doesn't know what they are doing. When someone asks for the car they are trying to do what a dealer would do...program a new code to your immobilizer system. I think our cars can have up to 7 different codes. But that is expensive. Just use the 1 working code you have now and copy it as many times as you want. The immobilizer system just reads a code. It doesn't matter if its a copy of the same code. It just sees the code.
Also you could go to a home depot or lowes but this is at your own risk! They have an automatic machine that clones and cuts your keys. They will do them for free. However I ruined a Monel key that way because the home depot person didn't fit the key in there correctly and it made a bad copy. $100 bucks down the drain. So don't be cheap. Go to a local locksmith who knows what they are doing and spend $10 or so.
5.Cut open the head of your clone donor key. You can use a box cutter knife/razor or a dremmel if you prefer. Shouldn't be to difficult. Remove the embedded chip. It may be glued in there so just pry it out. Don't worry about damaging the chip. It is encased by a small plastic box/rectangle where as the chip itself is inside a "pill" shaped vial. You should be able to see part of it.
6. Take your alarm key fob (Everyone should have an alarm for their baby) open it up and place the chip wherever it fits. In some cases you may need to remove the actually "pill" the chip is in instead of using the whole plastic rectangle. I didn't as my fob had plenty of room.
7. Closes the fob and ensure a good fit.
8. Now when starting car you need to hold the fob against the side of key as you start it. This puts the hidden chip close enough to the ignition for the immobilizer code to be read. You should see the green key symbol on your dash light up while it searches for the code and then turn off when it reads it. You can then start the car. You can let the alarm fob dangle freely now. The code is only read on startup as opposed to continuous.
9. Done. Enjoy your new all metal "Titanium" Monel Key on your '97+ NSX.
Bonus. Nobody but you will know how to start your car. So if your keys get lost, copied or stolen no worries. Also, this is safer than the hacks that remove the immobilizer chip and attach them on inside or outside of the steering column near the ignition which puts the chip permanently in the car. Yikes, this allows any cut key to work or anyone with skill to pick the ignition and drive off in your car. No bueno.
*Updated to included a better explanation and answer a few questions I have recevied*
1. Get yourself a couple of T5 clone keys off of ebay. There are several options. Don't worry about how they look or if they are different than mine. They just need to state T5 clone and work on Honda/Acura. An example would be below. This one happens to have an Acura label while others will have a Honda label. Does not matter. You are buying these for the chip inside and possibly just to have a spare key. If you search you can probably find cheaper that give you several keys.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Red-A-A...ash=item4d37d272ff:g:-~oAAOSwLqFV7iwl&vxp=mtr
2. Buy a "Titanium" Monel Key. They show up on ebay and Prime occassionally. Also you could as your dealer. But the easiest way is to hit up SOS and buy one from them.
https://www.scienceofspeed.com/inde...titanium-look-key-blank-nsx-1991-96-only.html
3. Go get your keys cut and cloned. Don't waste your time or money with a dealership! I will say it again. Don't waste your time or money with a dealership! Ok now that we have that straight.
4. I would recommend finding a local locksmith. They be able to cut and clone your new keys based on one of your currently working key. Ideally you have a spare working key which is basically unused. Use that one as using the everyday key will have worn down edges. You will get a better copy/cut from your spare key which should still have clean sharp edges and not be worn down from use. ***You do not need to bring your car.*** Just the keys. Remember you are cloning(copying) a preprogrammed chip to another, you are not creating a new code. Anyone that tells you to bring the car is an idiot and doesn't know what they are doing. When someone asks for the car they are trying to do what a dealer would do...program a new code to your immobilizer system. I think our cars can have up to 7 different codes. But that is expensive. Just use the 1 working code you have now and copy it as many times as you want. The immobilizer system just reads a code. It doesn't matter if its a copy of the same code. It just sees the code.
Also you could go to a home depot or lowes but this is at your own risk! They have an automatic machine that clones and cuts your keys. They will do them for free. However I ruined a Monel key that way because the home depot person didn't fit the key in there correctly and it made a bad copy. $100 bucks down the drain. So don't be cheap. Go to a local locksmith who knows what they are doing and spend $10 or so.
5.Cut open the head of your clone donor key. You can use a box cutter knife/razor or a dremmel if you prefer. Shouldn't be to difficult. Remove the embedded chip. It may be glued in there so just pry it out. Don't worry about damaging the chip. It is encased by a small plastic box/rectangle where as the chip itself is inside a "pill" shaped vial. You should be able to see part of it.
6. Take your alarm key fob (Everyone should have an alarm for their baby) open it up and place the chip wherever it fits. In some cases you may need to remove the actually "pill" the chip is in instead of using the whole plastic rectangle. I didn't as my fob had plenty of room.
7. Closes the fob and ensure a good fit.
8. Now when starting car you need to hold the fob against the side of key as you start it. This puts the hidden chip close enough to the ignition for the immobilizer code to be read. You should see the green key symbol on your dash light up while it searches for the code and then turn off when it reads it. You can then start the car. You can let the alarm fob dangle freely now. The code is only read on startup as opposed to continuous.
9. Done. Enjoy your new all metal "Titanium" Monel Key on your '97+ NSX.
Bonus. Nobody but you will know how to start your car. So if your keys get lost, copied or stolen no worries. Also, this is safer than the hacks that remove the immobilizer chip and attach them on inside or outside of the steering column near the ignition which puts the chip permanently in the car. Yikes, this allows any cut key to work or anyone with skill to pick the ignition and drive off in your car. No bueno.
Last edited:
.....
