Helbrecht

Hello everyone,

I've got a 2001 Honda Prelude SE. I bought the car 2 years ago and did some research regarding it before purchase, but not enough I suppose; It only came with a single master key, no learning key etc.

My worst nightmare at this point, after reading up on the immobilizer system and learning-key, is to lose my only master key. Thankfully I Haven't lost it and am now trying to find out how to get it copied. I've read all of the posts on this site and others regarding the blank Honda T5 Transponder key that can simply be copied to from the working master key.

Trouble is, the two Honda dealerships on Vancouver Island both claim to have never heard of such a thing. Each of them have told me that 100%, they require the red learning-key in order to make a copy, or else I'm SOL. They simply quoted me for a replacement immobilizer system.

I understand that other owners have gotten mixed responses from Honda on this topic, but how can they not even have heard of the T5 keys? It seems like its quite common knowledge among Honda guys online. Am I somehow asking for the wrong thing? Have I gone mad? Are some dealerships not equipped for this type of copying?

One of the guys at Honda here said that maybe this T5 key was a US only thing, which seems preposterous to me.

Any serious Honda guys have any tips about how to approach this? Is it possible that a general locksmith might be able to accomplish what Honda cannot?

Thanks in advance for any advice at all. Cheers!

Nighthawk01

I've heard of Honda dealerships making a new key out of just your master key and no use of the red key.


They should have all the information on your car in their system under your vin number as far as that key is concerned....

Helbrecht

Yeah, thats the problem though. These two dealerships are saying that it isn't possible. They say I MUST have a learning key or a new immobilizer unit. Simply having the master key is not enough.

lilredlude

any good locksmith can do it. if you have ace hardware they can also do it. none of my local hondas can do it, they do not have the equipment. i got my key from a locksmith for $45, cloned off of my master. They had to download my vin to cut a new master pattern though, because my master was so worn. it still copied the code fine.

doesn't need to be a honda t5, here is my random locksmith brand key i use every day - copied from just the master black key

__________________
If you don't know what you want, you end up with a lot you don't.

Helbrecht

Hey thanks for the information. I'll contact some automotive locksmiths around town. That photo of your ilco key has filled me with confidence! lol

Cheers

hancock1701

I was in the same situation. I went to my local Honda dealer and they told me they can't do anything without the red learning key. However, I found out that my local Ace Hardware can just clone another Honda key using my only black key. Later, I got it done at a local locksmith that only needs my black key to clone another key. I got my new key for $60.