CAR KEYS

For car keys, you can't just go out to WalMart and have a duplicate made.  That's because car keys are programmed.  Yep.  They have a microchip in them that interfaces with your ignition to start your engine.  That microchip is called a Transponder Car Key.  And what it does is it de-activates the car's immobilizer, allowing it to start and move all the engine and electrical parts.  I had a spare key made at WalMart today.  The spare opens the door but not the trunk; more importantly, it does not start the engine.  So I called the Service Dept. at Norm Reeves Honda in Cerritos.  And a guy there explained that a spare key needs to be programmed.  He estimated the cost at $65.  Is there anything that goes right with my vehicle?  I know it's old, but I do maintain its upkeep.  I wish it was so expensive to maintain. 

This was interesting.  I didn't know that you could buy a tool to program a key.  It's called a CK100 Auto Key Programmer V45.02 SBB, the latest generation.  
This clip here is even more interesting because he is able to program a key by simply using the original key to set the program, take it out, then put in the newly made key, turn it and it will be programmed based on the previous key's program.  He also offers a website, called IKeyless.

I called around for pricing.  And here is what I found on this date:

1.  Norm Reeves Honda charges $65 for a programmed duplicate key.

2.  One-Hour Photo & Locksmith charges $50 for a programmed duplicate key.  Their hours are 10am-6:30.

3.  Locksmith Santa Fe, who does housecalls, charges $120 for a programmed duplicate key.  And they're open 24 hours.

4.  A-Armor Lock & Security in Cerritos closes at 5pm.  I'll find out about pricing in the morning.  They open at 8am.

5. Green Locksmith charges $120.  I wonder if these are the same guys as Locksmith Santa Fe but with a different name.  The voice of the guy who answered the phone sounded similar to the guy who picked up at Santa Fe and he asked the same questions--what model car, what year, etc.  Said that it could be done in half an hour.  But $120 is too much for me.  It is the same guy.  The phone number for Locksmith Santa Fe is 562-451-1145.  For Green Locksmith, the number is 562-451-1144.  One digit difference.  Same guy.  Same company.  Different name.  When I called I wanted confirmation that this was Green Locksmith.  He wouldn't confirm that; instead, he said "this is locksmith service" as a way to brush over the fact that it's the same guy using different cover names. 
6.  All-City Lock & Key, 951-990-5020.  This is almost exclusively a mobile service.  He charges $140 for the job, which he said takes 10-15 minutes.  I like the response--quick--but I can't afford that $140.
7.  Norwalk Locksmith, 949-264-1605.  Okay, I guess these folks have no trouble getting business.  She told me that the price would start at $120 and goes up from there.  I asked what she meant, and she explained that the key itself is $120 but to program the key would be extra.  I asked how much extra.  She said that depends, that her crew has to be onsite, plug in a hand-held computer, and then decide.  I don't know how much more she was looking to charge.  Could the price of a key from this outfit go up as high as $200?  It's possible.  She said that her service is exclusively mobile as well.  She said that she could be out to my place in 30 minutes.  I asked how long the procedure would take.  She said 45 minutes.  Not sure if that includes drive time to get to my place or not.
8.  A-1 Stanley Locksmith, 323-771-7244.  Wow!  This guy was to the point.  Said that he could make me a key.  Said that it would cost $45.  So far, this is the best price I've been quoted.  He is located at:
14515 Pioneer Blvd.
Norwalk, CA 90650
9. Norwalk Locksmith Service, 562-314-1815.
10. AAA Locksmith, 800-416-8955.  Okay, these guys are located in Irvine, not in Norwalk as their webpage suggests.  They charge $90 to have a key cut and programmed.  But after he said he was in Irvine, I declined and said thank you.

FOR LATER REFERENCE . . . 
1.  How to program car keys.
2.  Is there a chip inside your car key?
3.