Upgrading to a flip key for your Mitsubishi can offer both convenience and a modern feel. Many Mitsubishi owners, especially those with older models or used cars, may find themselves with a basic key and wish to enhance functionality with remote locking and unlocking. Converting to a flip key remote is achievable, and involves transferring components and programming the remote to your vehicle. This guide provides a general overview based on community experiences for those looking to understand how to program a Mitsubishi car key remote themselves.
To successfully convert your standard Mitsubishi key to a flip key with remote functionality, you’ll essentially be performing two main tasks: transplanting the transponder chip for ignition and integrating a key fob for remote functions.
First, focus on the ignition aspect. Your original Mitsubishi key contains a transponder chip, a small but crucial component that communicates with your car’s Engine Control Unit (ECU) to allow the engine to start. To use your new flip key for starting the car, you will need to carefully extract this transponder chip from your existing key. Opening your original key, you should locate a small black chip, often housed in a white holder. This is the transponder.
Alt text: Mitsubishi car key opened to show the location of the transponder chip, a small black component necessary for starting the vehicle.
Once you have the transponder chip, your new flip key likely has a designated cavity to house it, typically near the flip mechanism. Securely place the transponder chip into this cavity. With the transponder in place and the flip key blade cut to match your original key, you should now be able to start your Mitsubishi.
Next, to enable remote locking, unlocking, and potentially trunk release, you’ll need to integrate a key fob. The process often involves acquiring a used Mitsubishi key with an intact fob. Online marketplaces are a good source for these. Dismantle the used key to extract the fob circuitry, which is usually found within the remote portion of the key.
Alt text: Mitsubishi flip key remote fob component with buttons for lock, unlock, and trunk release, ready for programming.
Carefully install this fob into your new flip key. Now comes the programming stage. To program the key fob to your Mitsubishi’s Body Control Unit (BCU), you’ll typically use the OBDII port located in your car. Specific instructions can vary by model and year, but often involve using a paper clip to bridge certain pins in the OBDII port while following a sequence of actions with the ignition and door locks. You should search online forums and resources specific to your Mitsubishi model for detailed OBDII programming steps. These community-sourced methods often provide cost-effective solutions for programming your key fob without requiring dealer intervention.
While these steps provide a general guide on how to program a Mitsubishi car key remote through DIY methods, remember to exercise caution when disassembling keys and working with your car’s electronics. If you are uncomfortable with any part of this process, seeking assistance from a professional locksmith or your Mitsubishi dealership is always a recommended alternative to ensure proper programming and avoid potential issues.
