So my keys were stolen a couple of weekends ago while I was out of town, and since I bought my 'Lude second-hand, I don't have the red "program" key for the immobilizer. Took my registration and driver's license to the local neighborhood Honda dealership, and they cut a new key for me, then told me I'd have to bring it to the dealership to get my ECU reprogrammed. The service guys told me how to use the code they provided to override the Immobilizer, and I was on my way.

Two hours of trying later, I was no closer to getting the car started. If anybody knows the proper procedure for how to use the override feature, I'm trying to figure out if I missed something or was doing something wrong.

 

red key??? When I bought my prelude, I only got 2 black keys...I know I was suppose to get a grey "valet" key, but I don't have that.

Hope your problem is fixed...I'm guessing you took it to Cush honda.

 

Actually, no. Cush wanted to replace my entire Immobilizer, while Pacific Honda gave me that "temporary" key that I can't get to work...but a friend of mine over at SoCal Preludes got a replacement key from Cush for a grand total of $45. Don't know if I talked to the wrong guys or what.

 

You may have to have your car towed to the dealer. And, if they can't reprogram your immobilizer it may have to be replaced.

Such is the case with encoded ignition systems.

Draconius, if you did not get the red master program key for your car, go to your dealer and have a spare key made and keep that in a safe place (as your "red key"). That way you will have a master program key to use for reference if you loose the others.

 

for the imobolizer systems you need 2 programmed keys to program a 3rd, since you have no preprogrammed keys you have to bring it to the dealer and have them reprogram the ecu and program you new keys. good luck with this as we had to have this done for a customer at my work and it cost a bunch.

 

Pacific said there is a way to temporarily bypass the Immobilizer using a car-specific code input through the brake handle. Problem is, there's a lot more that goes into it, and I can't figure out what I'm missing. If anybody has a Helms shop manual, apparently the procedure is detailed in there. As it is, I'd have a hell of a time getting my car towed off base with the current security threat level in effect.

 

Hmm care to explain more about this bypass.

 

I am not aware of any such bypass. The ignition immobilizer is a freqency transponder that runs through the car's ECM computer (engine management). To my knowledge, it's not connected to the brakes or brake pedal.

 

When I got another key for my prelude there was not programing needed. The honda dealership just cut it and it work.

 

screw the keys its all in the column, just work the column and that bitch will start right up