Question 1

My key broke in the ignition. Can you get it out?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and it happens more than you would think on S2000s. The key blade takes a fair amount of torque in that ignition cylinder, and older keys with any existing stress cracks will eventually snap. I extract the broken piece from the cylinder, then decode the lock to get your correct cut. From there I cut a new key and program the transponder chip on site. You do not need a tow, you do not need a new ignition cylinder, and you are not waiting days for a dealer to order parts.

Question 2

What exactly is a transponder key and why does my 2006 S2000 need one?

Accepted Answer

The transponder key on the S2000 looks like a basic metal key with a slightly thicker plastic head than you might expect. Inside that head is a small chip. When you insert the key and turn it, the ignition ring reads that chip and checks it against what the immobilizer has stored. If the chip checks out, the engine starts. If it does not, the engine cranks but will not fire, and the green key indicator on the dash will flash to tell you why.

A key that is cut correctly but has no programmed chip, or has the wrong chip, will crank the engine all day without starting it. That is why cutting and programming are two separate steps, and both have to be right. We handle both on site, at your location in Port Hueneme, so there is no towing involved and no dealership waiting room.

Question 3

My S2000 cranks but will not start and the key light is flashing. What does that mean?

Accepted Answer

That flashing green key light is the immobilizer telling you it did not get a valid signal from the transponder chip. The engine cranks because the starter and battery are fine. The fuel and ignition are what get cut off.

First thing to check: is the key you are using the original, or a copy? Copies cut at hardware stores or big-box retailers will not have a programmed chip and will produce exactly this symptom every time. If it is your original key, the chip inside the head may have failed, which can happen if the key head is cracked or has been exposed to moisture. A weak vehicle battery can also cause intermittent read failures on these, so if the battery is more than a few years old, that is worth ruling out too.

If none of those apply, call me. I can read the immobilizer status on site and tell you in a few minutes whether it is a key issue or something further up the chain.

Question 4

Can I get a spare key made for my S2000 before I actually need one?

Accepted Answer

That is genuinely one of the smarter calls I get. S2000 owners who lose their only key face an all-keys-lost situation, which takes more time and more equipment to resolve than simply adding a second key while the first one still works. Adding a spare while you have a working key is faster, less involved, and costs less. For a weekend car or a car that sits during the week, having a spare somewhere safe is just good sense.

Question 5

I bought a replacement key blank online. Can you just program it?

Accepted Answer

Depends on what you bought. The transponder chip inside the key head has to be the correct type for the S2000 immobilizer to accept it. A lot of the blanks sold online have the right blade profile but the wrong chip, or no chip at all, and those will not program regardless of what tools are used. If you have the blank in hand, I can tell you quickly whether it will work before we go any further. If it will not, I carry the correct blanks and can cut and program on site in Port Hueneme without you needing to source anything yourself.

2006 Honda S2000
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2006 Honda S2000Key Replacement - Save vs Dealer in Ventura County

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2006 Honda S2000Key Options