Are you looking to upgrade your Mitsubishi car key or dealing with an aftermarket key fob? Many Mitsubishi owners, especially those with cars from the used market, find themselves needing to program or convert their key fobs. This guide provides a straightforward approach to converting an aftermarket key to a more convenient flip key and programming the remote functions yourself.
Converting Your Aftermarket Mitsubishi Key to a Flip Key
If you have an aftermarket key and wish to convert it into a flip key, it’s simpler than you might think. The key to this conversion lies within the transponder chip located inside your existing aftermarket key.
To begin, carefully disassemble your aftermarket key. You’ll need a sharp razor blade to gently cut along the seam of the key casing. Inside, you will find a small black transponder chip, usually housed in a white holder. This chip is crucial as it’s programmed to your car’s Engine Control Unit (ECU).
Carefully remove this black transponder chip. Now, take your new flip key fob. These flip key fobs are designed with a small, often unused cavity specifically for transplanting this transponder chip. You’ll typically find this cavity near the button that flips out the key blade. Insert the transponder chip into this cavity in your flip key.
Once the transponder chip is in place, you’ll need to get the key blade of your flip key cut to match your car’s ignition. A locksmith or key cutting service can handle this for you. With the cut key blade and the transponder chip correctly installed, you should now be able to start your Mitsubishi using the flip key.
Programming the Remote Functions of Your Mitsubishi Key Fob
Starting your car is only half the convenience of a modern key fob. To regain remote locking, unlocking, and trunk opening functions, you’ll need to program the key fob portion.
For this, you will need to acquire a used, uncut Mitsubishi key that includes the key fob circuitry inside. Online marketplaces are good sources for these used keys. Once you have a used key, carefully take it apart and remove the fob circuit board from the diamond-shaped section.
Next, install this circuit board into your flip key. The flip key is designed to accommodate this fob circuit board. However, simply installing it isn’t enough; the fob needs to be programmed to your car’s Body Control Unit (BCU).
To program the fob, you’ll need to use your Mitsubishi’s OBDII port and a paper clip. While specific step-by-step instructions can vary slightly depending on your exact Mitsubishi model and year, the general process involves using a paper clip to bridge specific pins in the OBDII port and then following a sequence of actions with your key and the car’s ignition. You should search online forums and resources specific to your Mitsubishi model for detailed OBDII programming instructions.
Important Considerations:
- Key Blade Cutting First: It’s highly recommended to have the flip key blade cut before you disassemble your original working key. This ensures you aren’t left without a working key while waiting for the flip key conversion.
- Transponder Chip Importance: Remember, the transponder chip is crucial for starting your car. Bypassing it by permanently placing it near the ignition for remote start systems compromises your car’s security system.
By following these steps, you can successfully convert your aftermarket Mitsubishi key to a flip key and program the remote functions, enhancing both the convenience and security of your vehicle.
