DIY: Switchblade Key Conversion
It was really simple to do. The hardest part for me was to find someone to cut the key. Lowes and Home Depot wouldn't do it for me.
All you do is un-screw the back, pop the remote from your old key in and the transponder chip. I decided to cut it out with the dremel it out. It needs to be about the same size as the chip, other wise it won't fit. I was trying the hair dryer trick that someone mentioned before. That was taking forever. Pop everything in and when you are putting the spring back in you need to twist the cover back on so that it will pop out.
Good Luck. Let me know if you have any problems!
All you do is un-screw the back, pop the remote from your old key in and the transponder chip. I decided to cut it out with the dremel it out. It needs to be about the same size as the chip, other wise it won't fit. I was trying the hair dryer trick that someone mentioned before. That was taking forever. Pop everything in and when you are putting the spring back in you need to twist the cover back on so that it will pop out.
Good Luck. Let me know if you have any problems!
Thanks for the advice! I'm getting pretty anxious for the key to arrive.
I've heard different things on who will or won't cut it... so it seems like it'll just be trial and error.
I've heard different things on who will or won't cut it... so it seems like it'll just be trial and error.
Ouch! Hopefully I have some better luck with that. I might try a hardware store I had do a house key not long ago. Do have a Lowe's and Home Depot nearby... but sounds hit and miss.
I was thinking I might try to get the transponder out tonight. I have an actual heat gun... and might be able to get it out that way. Will keep this updated.
I was thinking I might try to get the transponder out tonight. I have an actual heat gun... and might be able to get it out that way. Will keep this updated.
OK... transponder is out. Hopefully it survived the near oven I subjected it to. 
EDIT: Transponder is A-OK. Reassembled dissected key minus transponder and took it to my car. Inserted key and immobilizer light continued to blink as expected. Held chip up next to the key and the light went out.
So far so good.

EDIT: Transponder is A-OK. Reassembled dissected key minus transponder and took it to my car. Inserted key and immobilizer light continued to blink as expected. Held chip up next to the key and the light went out.
So far so good.
Originally Posted by ack154

Last edited by ack154; Feb 22, 2010 at 02:21 PM.
Key is cut (free at Home Depot!). Now I just have to program.
I tried to program in the Home Depot lot but it wasn't responding ( :teeth: ). I'm going to try to remove all of them and try again. I think there might actually be a limit.. I just don't know what that is.
I tried to program in the Home Depot lot but it wasn't responding ( :teeth: ). I'm going to try to remove all of them and try again. I think there might actually be a limit.. I just don't know what that is.
Originally Posted by jaywo_23
are you doing the programming that came with it? I just took out the button part and put it in the new key. That way its already programed.
Sometimes it's the little things that I forget.
The good news is the key works great! The bad news is I had to peel the plate off so now I don't have a spare if I ever end up having to replace the battery (but I did put in a brand new lithium battery from Radio Shack just now).





