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Thread: How to prevent paying $$$ for needing to prematurely replace a key transponder

  1. #1
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    How to prevent paying $$$ for needing to prematurely replace a key transponder

    .

    Our car keys consist of a mechanical key with a tiny and very expensive transponder-chip inside. The key works both mechanically AND electronically. The electronic key is the built-in transponder. The transponder moves around freely inside the encasing, although there is a small recess where it fits into. These keys can come open or break apart, and the sort with push-buttons periodically need to be taken apart to replace the lithium battery CR1616.

    The problem:

    The tiny transponder-chip is not attached to anything, and therefore usually falls out of the key when opened. You may lose it when simply changing the battery. If it pops open unnoticed in your trouser pocket, for example carrying something large and heavy, you might not find out soon enough to salvage it. When it is gone, it will often have happened unnoticed and never to be found any more. Without it, the key is rendered useless for starting the car.

    The solution:
    As seen in the photo, there is a little recess the transponder-chip is supposed to be put in. Add a little dab of universal glue (PU glue, "Tarzans grip" or "UHU" or similar) to the flat side, insert it into the recess, and the chip stays in place. In the picture, the chip is properly glued into its place where it should remain.
    Doing this will save you a lot of money sooner or later!
    I was quoted €275 for the chip plus €75 for programming it, currently being US$ 280. It makes me wonder why Mitsubishi saved less than 0.01 cent on the glue.



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    Last edited by foama; 04-20-2021 at 10:02 AM.

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    01-7700 (02-12-2018),Alex1a1f (02-10-2018),BigMW (12-28-2022),Daox (02-10-2018),Fummins (02-12-2018),IchabodCrane (02-10-2018),MetroMPG (02-14-2018),spork (02-10-2018)

  3. #2
    Senior Member IchabodCrane's Avatar
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    Really?
    That must be why I see Mitsu owners stopping at the dealership to have batteries changed in their keys. Guess it's easier to pay dealer to risk the chip's loss than do it yourself.
    Thanks for the heads up foama, I surely would have popped the case without a second thought otherwise.
    Will weld for beer.

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        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2014 Mirage SE 1.2 automatic: 45.3 mpg (US) ... 19.3 km/L ... 5.2 L/100 km ... 54.5 mpg (Imp)


  4. #3
    Moderator Eggman's Avatar
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    The F.A.S.T. key is a little different.







    I still haven't changed my battery.

    Not to take anything away from your advice here - it'll surely save someone some headache. In fact, the first thing I thought of was removing the transponder device to be located by the ignition switch for anyone considering installing a remote starter. Not secure, but a tradeoff someone might be okay with.

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        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2015 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 49.6 mpg (US) ... 21.1 km/L ... 4.7 L/100 km ... 59.5 mpg (Imp)


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    It could be a simple hack to glue transponder to the inside surface of the steering column trim plastics so we could use a cheap conventional key as a hide-a-key or for a spare. As you said Eggman, intallation of a remote starter would be greatly simplified, DIY even. Most remote start products (with good range, ie. more $$) have fobs with all the lock/unlock buttons and such on them anyway so no need to carry two fobs doing the same job.
    Hey.. how about gluing the transponder into the remote start fob and just have a conventional key on the ring with it. Way less bulk and just as secure as our keys as it leaves the car with us.
    Hmm...
    Oh.. side question. The third button on all our keys... can it be programmed to perform the remote start function in place of starter supplied fob?
    Last edited by IchabodCrane; 02-11-2018 at 02:58 PM. Reason: Addition
    Will weld for beer.

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2014 Mirage SE 1.2 automatic: 45.3 mpg (US) ... 19.3 km/L ... 5.2 L/100 km ... 54.5 mpg (Imp)


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    poorman1 (02-11-2018)

  8. #5
    What year of car do you have?(foama) I just pulled apart a 2015 key and it looks nothing like yours.
    Attachment 11325 Attachment 11326 It takes a cr1620 battery
    Mirage videos:

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2014 Mirage SE wussie cvt edition. 1.2 automatic: 37.7 mpg (US) ... 16.0 km/L ... 6.2 L/100 km ... 45.3 mpg (Imp)


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    Eggman (02-12-2018)

  10. #6
    I wonder how many different keys/fobs there are for these cars?
    Here's a 17' (es plus)Attachment 11329 Attachment 11330 it also takes a cr1620 battery.
    Last edited by Fummins; 02-12-2018 at 06:32 PM. Reason: still learning how to upload pics...
    Mirage videos:

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2014 Mirage SE wussie cvt edition. 1.2 automatic: 37.7 mpg (US) ... 16.0 km/L ... 6.2 L/100 km ... 45.3 mpg (Imp)


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    Daox (02-12-2018)

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    If you're really worried about it, get your dealer to cut you one of these style keys. They have a transponder, but they have no buttons. The grip is hermetically sealed in a rubber-like substance. You could go swimming with this key, I bet (though I wouldn't try).
    Attached Images Attached Images  

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2015 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 41.6 mpg (US) ... 17.7 km/L ... 5.6 L/100 km ... 50.0 mpg (Imp)


  13. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Fummins View Post
    I wonder how many different keys/fobs there are for these cars?
    Here's a 17' (es plus)Attachment 11329 Attachment 11330 it also takes a cr1620 battery.
    Mine is the FAST key eggmsn posted. Guess it looks secure. Do they say 2 years on the FAST battery?
    Last edited by Pryme; 02-26-2018 at 01:19 PM.

  14. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Fummins View Post
    What year of car do you have?(foama) I just pulled apart a 2015 key and it looks nothing like yours.
    Mine is a mid 2014

  15. #10
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    I have a 2019 Mirage LE and the remote and battery looks the same.



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