Question 1

Why is Acura key replacement so expensive?

Accepted Answer

Part of it is the technology. Even a transponder key like the one on your 2007 TSX requires programming equipment to pair the chip to your specific immobilizer. That's not a cut-and-hand-over job.

The dealer layers on top of that: shop rate, service writer time, parts markup, and the fact that they're not really competing for your key business the way a locksmith is. They can quote high and know a lot of owners will just pay it.

The good news on the 2007 TSX is that it's a transponder key, not a proximity fob or smart key. That puts it in a more accessible tier for replacement. Call us for current pricing. It'll be well below the dealer number.

Question 2

What exactly is a transponder key and how does it work on the 2007 TSX?

Accepted Answer

A transponder key looks like a regular metal key but has a small chip embedded in the plastic head. When you insert it and turn the ignition, the car sends a signal to that chip. The chip responds with its own signal. If the immobilizer recognizes that response as valid, it allows the engine to start. If it doesn't, the engine won't run, or it starts briefly and shuts off.

There are no buttons on this key. No remote lock or unlock. No battery. It's purely a turn-key ignition setup. The transponder side is passive, meaning the chip doesn't need its own power source. It draws energy from the signal the car sends.

For the 2007 TSX specifically, this means a replacement key has two requirements: the blade has to be cut to your vehicle, and the chip has to be programmed to your car's immobilizer. A hardware store can handle the blade. Only someone with the right programming equipment can handle the chip side.

Question 3

How does your pricing compare to the Acura dealer for a 2007 TSX key?

Accepted Answer

Dealer pricing on transponder key replacement involves the key itself, programming labor, and whatever their minimum shop time is. Owners who've gone that route report paying noticeably more than they expected, even on an older vehicle. We come to you in Downtown Fallbrook, do the cut and program on site, and charge a fraction of what the dealer quotes. Call for current pricing. You'll hear the difference right away.

Question 4

My 2007 TSX starts and then immediately stalls. Could this be a key problem?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and it's one of the more common calls I get on this generation. Start-and-immediate-stall is the classic sign that the immobilizer didn't recognize the key. The engine fires because the ignition circuit is fine, then shuts down in the first second or two because the security system cut fuel or spark after rejecting the transponder signal.

It happens most often in a few situations: someone got a key cut at a hardware store or online without getting the chip programmed, the original key's chip has degraded or been damaged, or there's a second key in the pocket or on the ring that's confusing the read.

If your dashboard shows a key-not-detected warning or a security indicator that stays lit after starting, that points right at this. It's diagnosable and fixable on site. The fix is either programming a new key or, in some cases, addressing a fault in the immobilizer reader itself, which I can check before assuming you need new keys.

Question 5

I bought a replacement key online for my 2007 TSX. Can I program it myself?

Accepted Answer

Probably not. The 2007 TSX does not have a widely available owner-accessible add-a-key relearn sequence the way some domestic vehicles of that era do. Programming the transponder chip to the immobilizer requires external equipment and the right software for Honda and Acura systems.

If you already have a working key and want to add a spare, that's a shorter job than all-keys-lost. But you still need someone with the tooling. The key you bought online may be a valid shell and blade, which saves some parts cost, but the programming has to happen on site with the car present. Bring it to Downtown Fallbrook or I'll come to you.

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