Question 1

How do I spot a fake locksmith before I get ripped off?

Accepted Answer

Three things. First, look up the business name on Google and Yelp and make sure the reviews are consistent with a real local operation. Scam setups run dozens of fake names that all route to the same call center. The address listed is often a vacant lot or a UPS store.

Second, ask for a firm quote on the phone for your specific vehicle, year, and key type. Anyone legitimate can give you a number before they show up. Vague answers like "it depends once I see it" are a warning sign.

Third, ask for their California BSIS license number. Every locksmith company operating in this state is required to carry one and to give it to you on request. If they fumble that question, hang up.

Question 2

What exactly is a remote head key and how does it work on the 1998 Tiburon?

Accepted Answer

It's a key where the fob remote is built into the top of the key itself rather than being a separate unit on a keyring. The blade cuts into the ignition the same as any other key. The remote buttons in the head handle your door lock and unlock functions wirelessly.

On a 1998 Tiburon, these two functions are independent of each other. The car does not require the remote portion to be working in order to start. That is worth knowing when something fails, because it tells you right away whether you have a remote problem or an ignition problem, and those get handled differently.

What a scam locksmith sometimes does is show up with a generic replacement that looks right but is not set up for your vehicle, charge full price, and leave you with something that only partially works. Ask specifically what unit they are bringing before anyone shows up.

Question 3

What equipment do you use to work on a 1998 Hyundai?

Accepted Answer

For a vehicle this age, the job is more hands-on than software-driven. I use Lishi picks and decoders for non-destructive entry and to read the key cut directly from the lock if the blade is lost. For the remote side, I carry the diagnostic tools needed to confirm the receiver is communicating and to address any programming the remote head needs to pair with the vehicle.

If a locksmith cannot tell you specifically what they use on late-1990s Hyundai hardware, that is worth questioning. Some shops are only set up for newer vehicles and will waste your time showing up unprepared.

Question 4

My 1998 Tiburon starts fine but the remote buttons do nothing. Do I need a whole new key?

Accepted Answer

Probably not. On a remote head key this age, a dead remote side almost always comes down to the battery, corroded contacts, or worn button pads inside the key head. The ignition and remote circuits are separate, so a failing remote does not mean the blade side is bad.

Pop the key head open and check the battery first. If the battery looks fine, look at the metal contact points where it seats. Oxidation on those contacts is common on keys this old and kills the signal without touching the blade at all. A cleaning and a fresh battery fixes it more often than you'd expect.

Question 5

Can I get a replacement key made without going to the dealer for a 1998 Tiburon?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A mobile locksmith with the right experience on late-1990s Hyundai hardware can handle this without a dealer visit. The blade can be cut by decoding the existing lock or by using the key code if you have it. The remote head side can be addressed on-site.

The dealer route on a vehicle this age typically means waiting for an appointment, potentially waiting on parts, and paying significantly more than a mobile service charges. For a daily driver with no backup, that wait is the worst part. I come to where the car is in West Simi Valley and the work gets done the same day.

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1998 Hyundai TiburonKey Replacement - Save vs Dealer in Ventura County

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