Just me being curious

[Wilson]

The remote for my 2000 Honda Accord is busted and I had to turn off the alarm. Now, I want to get another remote for my car but the remote they have at the dealership is completely different from the remote the car came with. I’m NOT planning on buying a remote at the dealership. I’m looking online to get a better deal but I’m skeptic on buying. Is there a way to check to see what kind of security system my car is equipped with so I can get a remote for that particular system?

Topic

[JoshMc]

If you are in the U.S.A.the big aftermarket auto parts stores can get replacement key fob’s (remote’s) by calling a supplier and giving them the number off of your fob and the vehicle info. I am not sure if they can tell you who makes the cars alarm system but it would be worth stopping in and having them call. I don’t remember exactly how much it costs to get a replacement but it is a lot cheaper than buying a whole system. Hope this helps.

[EricTheCarGuy]

You might check under the dash to see if you have an aftermarket alarm system wired in. It should be obvious, factory systems are cleanly wired in and don’t look out of place. If you do the model may be listed on the outside. If it’s a factory alarm then the only place you’d be able to get a remote is from the dealer. You might be able to get it from another supplier but factory alarms us factory parts.

[Wayne]

[b]This is all under the assumption you find this is a factory alarm based system:

[/b]
[quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=44326]If it’s a factory alarm then the only place you’d be able to get a remote is from the dealer. [/quote]

I believe this is incorrect. You will need to know the programming procedure, and it will need to be on the proper frequency, using the encryption method of that model year, but after-markets for the factory remotes nearly always exist.

http://www.ebay.com search on 2000 civic fob or 2000 civic remote fob (either should bring up a rather large assortment), make sure it’s a new remote, not just a shell for your existing. Verify it lists your year and model as compatible.

Here is the procedure listed for a 2000 civic, with a compatible remote:

You need to sit in the drivers seat with all of the doors closed for this programming procedure to work. leave the doors unlocked when you start the procedure.

1) put the ignition key in the ignition but do not turn it on. hold the remote to be programmed in your left hand.

2) with your right hand, turn the ignition key to the ON postion so that the lights on the dash come on. you do not need to start the car. within 3 seconds, push the lock button on the remote in your left hand.

3) turn the ignition key to the off position. then turn the ignition key to the ON position agai. within 3 seconds press the lock button on the remote. then turn the ignition key OFF.

4) repeat that procedure 2 more times. on the 4th cycle you should hear the transmitter operate the door locks. and the doors should lock. then use the remote to open the doors.

5) if you have a second remote, use it to open and lock the doors

6) after that, turn the ignition key to the OFF position. your transmitter will be programmed to the vehicle.

and if that’s not clear enough:

The guy in the video is just looking at a print-out of the FSM page dealing with programming new remotes (and keys). This procedure is likely also posted in any of the Honda specific enthusiast forums as well.

I did the same thing a year or so back for my car as I wanted to be one of the cool kids with a flip-key in-built remote, ala voltswagen 😉 Works great, took about 15mins to program 2 new ones I got. Would have been a 5 min procedure, but I had to program the new keys chips as well(passive anti-theft, after I had them cut at home depot), not just remotes.

[Matthew]

out of ceriousity my 2001 Impala has a factory alarm but where is it? i dont see and module under the hood

[Wayne]

If it’s the usual “dealer” add-on, it’s likely just zip-tied to the steering column (or nearby under there) as a small rectangular box if an in-built option using the existing second-brain of the car is not a factory option.

Purchasing this option from the dealer is usually (and I’m phrasing this as nicely as I can) the worst idea possible. Unless this is true factory option, buy the car and get a local stereo/alarm/install shop with a good reputation to do this for a fraction of the cost with a unit that is several times better and will last 100 times longer. They’re generally contracted out to some installer for the lower cost to them, using the lowest cost product, taking the least amount of time.

[EricTheCarGuy]

Cool, thanks for the info. Better than the $120 they want for a new remote from the dealer for my Element.

[Author]

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