Question 1

What is the cheapest way to replace a key for my 2007 Mitsubishi Galant?

Accepted Answer

Call a mobile locksmith first. Dealers on these will charge a significant amount just to cut and program a single transponder key, and they typically want the car towed in, which adds cost before they've touched anything. A qualified mobile locksmith can do the same job in your driveway or parking lot -- cut the blade to your vehicle and program the transponder chip on site. No tow, no appointment, no separate line items for cutting versus programming. If you still have a working key, adding a spare is the least expensive version of this job. If you've lost all keys, expect it to take a little longer and cost more, because the immobilizer has to be reset before new keys can be enrolled. Either way, call before you tow.

Question 2

How much harder is it when all keys are lost versus just needing a spare?

Accepted Answer

Significantly harder. When you have a working key, adding a spare is a relatively quick programming job. When all keys are gone, the immobilizer has to be fully reset and reinitialized before any new key can be registered. On the 2007 Galant that means the security system has no reference point and has to be taught from scratch rather than just appended to. It takes more time, requires specific diagnostic capability, and costs more than a simple spare. The job is absolutely doable -- it's not uncommon -- but the gap in time and cost between "add a spare" and "all-keys-lost reset" is real. If you have one working key right now, the smartest thing you can do is get a spare made before something happens to the one you have.

Question 3

Do aftermarket Mitsubishi transponder keys actually work, or is OEM worth the difference?

Accepted Answer

Mitsubishis are picky about this. The transponder chip inside the key head has to be the right type for the immobilizer to accept it, and some aftermarket blanks use chips that don't meet that spec closely enough. The car might crank, the immobilizer might seem to accept it during programming, but then it throws a security fault on the next cold start or fails to start intermittently. I've seen forum threads where owners went through two or three cheap blanks before figuring out the chip was the problem, not the locksmith or the programming process. I carry key blanks verified to work with this vehicle so that once it's programmed, it stays programmed. The upfront savings on a cheap blank can disappear fast if it fails two weeks later.

Question 4

My Galant starts fine but dies within one or two seconds every time. Could this be a key problem?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and that specific symptom -- starts then immediately stalls -- is a classic sign the immobilizer is active. What happens is the engine management system gets a start signal but then the immobilizer doesn't confirm a valid transponder, so it cuts fuel or ignition within that first second or two. It can look like a fuel delivery problem, a crank sensor problem, or even an ignition switch issue, and a lot of people go down those roads before checking the key. If your key is worn, has a crack in the head near the chip, or the chip itself has failed, this is exactly what you'd see. It can also show up after someone had a spare cut at a hardware store using a blank that wasn't transponder-equipped. The car cranks because the mechanical cut is right, but there's nothing for the immobilizer to read. Bring the key when you call -- I can test the transponder before assuming anything else is wrong.

Question 5

Can a locksmith make a key for my Galant on the spot, or does it have to go to the dealer?

Accepted Answer

On the spot, in your parking lot in Millenia if that's where you are. The 2007 Galant doesn't require factory-level security data access or any kind of manufacturer authorization to program a replacement transponder key. A qualified mobile locksmith with the right OBD programming equipment handles this entirely on site. Dealer trips make sense for warranty work. For a key replacement on a vehicle this age, towing it in and waiting for a service bay is just extra steps.

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