Who wants a flip key?

[Robbieee]

Originally Posted by Charles_Harding

Seems all wrong to me!

Grown men getting exited over just a key!

"I don't seem to fit in.
I feel like the guy in a nudist colony

......with a Parka!"

Is there nothing about the civic that you would change then?

[20civic07]

the transponder is powered by the car... if the transponder was powered by the battery inside of the remote, then your remote battery would go dead quicker because of it being "on" all the time. something about an induction providing power to the transponder is what i have read.

[CivPilot]

Originally Posted by 20civic07

the transponder is powered by the car... if the transponder was powered by the battery inside of the remote, then your remote battery would go dead quicker because of it being "on" all the time. something about an induction providing power to the transponder is what i have read.

Sorry, not sure of your point? That info doesn't actually change anything?

The fact of the matter is that the UK cars MUST have the transponder connected to the PCB, either directly or via a wired connection. Why this is the case is mute. If you open your key and find the seperate transponder then you have the older security system and will be able to switch to the flip key with ease. Having a seperate valet key I belize this to be case.

Either way this thread applies to the UK security system.

[20civic07]

how did you folks take off the transponder? i've cracked it open and i've read something about heating it up and using a scalpel blade to pry it off. is it merely glued onto the board or is it glued + soldered. how did you get the glue off without melting the pcb board or burning it?

[gray52]

i will be doing mine tomorrow, getting the key cut 1st. sorted the case so it fits nice and drilled 2 holes for the kynar wire for the transponder in the front of the case.
will do some pics as i go.

[Stef]

Originally Posted by 20civic07

how did you folks take off the transponder? i've cracked it open and i've read something about heating it up and using a scalpel blade to pry it off. is it merely glued onto the board or is it glued + soldered. how did you get the glue off without melting the pcb board or burning it?

Please read my post on page 17

[Stef]

Originally Posted by CivPilot

Sorry, not sure of your point? That info doesn't actually change anything?

The fact of the matter is that the UK cars MUST have the transponder connected to the PCB, either directly or via a wired connection. Why this is the case is mute. If you open your key and find the seperate transponder then you have the older security system and will be able to switch to the flip key with ease. Having a seperate valet key I belize this to be case.

Either way this thread applies to the UK security system.

The latest transponder type have a rolling code, the code is passed to the key chip and needs some extra components to work.
My guess is that it only uses the battery power for a fraction of a second each time the key is inserted and vallidated.

[Stef]

Originally Posted by Charles_Harding

Seems all wrong to me!

Grown men getting exited over just a key!

"I don't seem to fit in.
I feel like the guy in a nudist colony

......with a Parka!"

OK Charles, but the key is about the only thing we have in our pocket that reflects our car, so we want it to be something special, is this a crime?

[Greedy]

Originally Posted by Stef

The latest transponder type have a rolling code, the code is passed to the key chip and needs some extra components to work.
My guess is that it only uses the battery power for a fraction of a second each time the key is inserted and vallidated.

Stef. As you seem to have more knowledge than most of us on this issue as well as the balls to try things out then I have a question.

Have you tried the Civic transponder seperate from the PCB. Reason I ask is that is that locating the transponder on the PCB may have been a cost down idea - less assembly process at the manufacturer (adding the transponder to the AI process and and using the same solder process as the rest of the componenets woudl effectively be a free process compared to inserting it in its own cavity as a seperate opp) in which case it may work seperately. Just wondering if you or anyone has tried it?

[Homer Simpson]

Here's my two penneth on why the transponder is attached to the PCB.

Most transponders are powered (energised) by an induction loop around the ignition key, they do not use a battery. This loop also acts as a reciever for the transponder to transmit the correct code to the engine management system. The induction loop for the transponder is probably seperate from the transponder itself and is actually part of the PCB. If this was not the case, the transponder could be placed anywhere near the ignition key and the car would start.

I hope that makes sense

[Stef]

Originally Posted by Greedy

Stef. As you seem to have more knowledge than most of us on this issue as well as the balls to try things out then I have a question.

Have you tried the Civic transponder seperate from the PCB. Reason I ask is that is that locating the transponder on the PCB may have been a cost down idea - less assembly process at the manufacturer (adding the transponder to the AI process and and using the same solder process as the rest of the componenets woudl effectively be a free process compared to inserting it in its own cavity as a seperate opp) in which case it may work seperately. Just wondering if you or anyone has tried it?

Just made my second key.
I can confirm again that the transponder does NOT work if disconnected from the board. (PS on the flip key is dust, not scratches)
You can see, if the transponder works, the key can not rotate.
Transponder also works if battery is NOT conected to the board. So transponder needs part of passive circuit.

Sorry, in the two last pictures, the metal key is in the wrong position...

[TTDegs]

off the wall, possibly stupid question:

is it possible to shorten the metal bit of the key?
and if so, would that get the transponder close enough without detatching it from the pcb?

[Stef]

Originally Posted by TTDegs

off the wall, possibly stupid question:

is it possible to shorten the metal bit of the key?
and if so, would that get the transponder close enough without detatching it from the pcb?

Nop, the key goes in all the way.

[TTDegs]

that'll be "stupid question" then

mine has about 5mm or so sticking out - hoped it might be enough

[britsbest]

I still want a key but this is waayyyyyyyyy over my head !

[gray52]

ive done my mod and am very pleased with it. i had some problems with the key cutter, but got it sorted in the end and only £3!! . ive done some pics but for some reason i cannot upload them. the max tension you need is 1.5 turns after you have lubed up the moving parts. this will also extend the sping life. one turn will flip the key out but its not a positive flip out. i put in abit of foam padding around the case just to make it a nice snug fit. i have not cut the transponder housing in the case of the flip key, just inserted it with some foam top and bottom and all works fine. its nice walking up to the car without covering the key blade with my thumb just incase you catch it on the car.

some tips to consider:-

get the blank cut from your spare as this will be 100% perfect with no wear & tear. and check that you spare works just in case something goes wrong.

if you buy two to keep a spare flip casing then release the tension on the spring.

[dragonglance]

looks really good, next question how much you going to charge to do everyone elses??

[Stef]

Some good tips from Gray52 indeed,
- Use the unused spare key as a reference to cut, I did this too
- The flip key is ridiculously tensioned, 1 turn is sufficient.
- Fix the internals using some double side tape
- Polish the newly cut key, here you see the difference (better in real)

[gray52]

here are my pics of the mod:-

1) transponder removed and prewired
2) transponder wires through the rubber case.
3) transponder finished and ready for the flip key casing.
4) fitted in the flip casing with foam padding.
5) finished!! just follow the tips and tricks on and all will go fine

[woody2k4]

Hi chaps, i am just back from skiing, hows the progress going? I have seen the pic of the proto type and it looks good!

Are we still looking at all this soldering business, if we are i may need some help please