Cal Club Autocross Forums

I recently purchased and will be installing a new ignition module in my wife's 2005 Honda Civic. Having removed the old one, I can say it's probably a fairly easy install.
The unit I purchased is a Standard Motors product which I understand is about as close to OEM as you can get. Comes with Honda keys. My understanding is that I will need to get the car to the dealer after installation for re-programming of the module, immobilizer and/or keys. My questions are...can I presume it's as straight forward as that? And that the unit does need to be installed in the car prior. Also, the local Honda dealer wants about $160 for the re-programming. Is that about right? Any other options?
Do any of you have direct experience with this issue?

I has to replace the ignition switch in our Odyssey and purchased a 3rd party unit. I had to have a locksmith come out and reprogram the ECU to accept the new key. Be careful, they tried a bait-and-switch with me and tried to charge me double for the two new keys. $160 is about what the locksmith charged us; given similar prices, I'd go with the dealer.

Note that if you have the new lock physically re-keyed, you will not have to do a re-program as you'll be using the old key with it's original code.

If you don't have the lock re-keyed, you'll have to carry the new ignition key as well as the old key to open the doors and trunk.

Once you replace the hardware, the car will not start until the programming is complete, so you have to 1) have the car towed to the shop/dealer or 2) have someone come to you.

Steve Lepper wrote:Once you replace the hardware, the car will not start until the programming is complete, so you have to 1) have the car towed to the shop/dealer or 2) have someone come to you.

Thanks Steve and Wil. I received the new unit w/ Honda keys and have installed it. I've pretty much decided to trailer it over to the local dealer.

Steve: It sounds like you are in disagreement with Wil's comment regarding getting the new cylinder re-keyed to the old keys. Seems like there are other things on the switch module that would make it more complicated than a re-key, ie., immobilizer, etc. Maybe not.

If you have a new key module, it comes with a new code that must be entered into the vehicle's ECU before it will work.

If all you need is a new key, there is a way to "clone" a blank key with the car's current code.