will using the wrong key cause ignition disable?

[mvmcali]

I had a simple metal duplicate key made for my 2001 QX4. I can use it to open the doors. If I tried to start the car with it, what will happen?1. will it simply not work or2. will it completely disable my ignition system and require a substantial repair

some joker at the hardware store refused to cut me the key saying that it would cause a $3000 repair bill if I tried to use it in the ignition.

If it does disable the ignition. can I reset ignition myself?

any alternatives to getting a full function dupliicate key besides forking over $200 to the dealer!?!?

thanks

[timmack]

the only issue it will cause is the ECU has to reset. you can either pull the battery cable or wait about 20 minutes before starting it with the right key. it will crank the engine but it wont fire. you can get cheaper ones from ebay, or courtesyparts.com. then you have to take all your keys to a dealer and have them reprogram the ECU to recgonize the new key. make sure you take every key you have because they wipe the codes clean and start over, afterwards the security feature will only see the codes imprinted on the keys that you gave the dealer.

[Densetsu]

20 minutes?

I had an issue with my '03 Pathfinder occasionally not recognizing one of my keys. Maybe every couple weeks. It would just turn over but not fire, then when I stopped cranking the engine the security light would come on. All I had to do was pull out the key, put it back in, and try again, and it worked. A timeframe of a couple seconds.

My last car (Chev Lumina) had a similar problem, and you had to wait a couple minutes between trials with that one. But not 20.

[timmack]

yea i remember when i was messing with my remote start, if i tried to start it with an unprogrammed key, it would take 15-20 min before i could start it up with the right key.

[mvmcali]

thanks for your qiuck response.

so to summarize. I will NOT cause damage to my car by trying to start it with a ''non smart key"? If I make mistake and use the nonsmart key by accident, I will just have to wait 20min for ECU to reset? Some guy was telling me you have to have your car towed to dealer if you use wrong key.

Im suprised this disable funcitonality is not described in the owners manual (at least I didnt find it).

regarding key programming.... based on what you described... each key has its own ID and the keys themselves DONT get programmed. instead this ECU in the car gets programmed to recognize the ID of each key that will be used? This sounds like pain, in that you have to bring your car in rather than just mail away for an extra key. wonder why they do it that way... trying to make money off you at the dealership I guess?

[CPS]

They do it this way so somebody can't pull your VIN off the dash and go have a key made and take your vehicle.

The way I understand it is that the key is programmed to the vehicle, not the other way around.

[timmack]

nope the vehicle is programmed to the key(s). they hook a laptop up to the OBDII port, wipe all previous key codes clean, and insert each key one at a time and program the ECU to read the code that is permanently embedded in that particular key.

[mvmcali]

thanks. I got a hold of the repair manual and it mentions a tool called CONSULT-II that gets hooked up to the cars data port to program the ECU to match the new key(s).

Is there a way for me to do this myself using a regular laptop. in other words , is there a software program avail that does the same thing as that CONSULT-II tool. that tool costs $2k to $5k!!!

Im still afraid of what will happen if I accidently try to start the car with the 'non chip' key. manual says I can immediately use the ''real key" and switch it on and off within 5 seconds ?and the car will start. did I read that right or do i have to wait 20min and/or disconnect battery

[timmack]

i dont know of anywhere to get the software, besides having a buddy at the dealership. as far as the starting issue, i know it wont cause any permanent issues. if you want to try it, go for it but all that will happen is the car wont start. i know on mine i had to wait, or disconnect the battery, immedately putting the right key in doesnt start the car, but thats on my particular car.