Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Three things. First, a real business name, a physical address, and verifiable reviews on Google and Yelp. Scam operations run dozens of different names and phone numbers that all route to the same call center with no fixed location. Second, ask for a firm price over the phone for your specific vehicle. If they refuse to quote without seeing the car first, that is a red flag. Third, ask for their California BSIS license number on the spot. Every legitimate locksmith company operating in this state has one and will give it to you without hesitating.

Question 2

What exactly is a remote head key and what makes the 2001 Tiburon's setup different from a regular key?

Accepted Answer

A remote head key combines the key blade and the fob into one single unit. The blade cuts into the ignition cylinder the way any key does, but the head of the key houses a transponder chip and the remote entry buttons together. On the 2001 Tiburon, both functions live in that one piece of plastic and metal.

What that means practically is that if the fob side fails, from a dead battery, corroded contacts, or a cracked shell, the remote functions stop working but the blade can sometimes still physically turn the ignition. Whether the car starts at that point depends on what failed and how. A correctly cut replacement still needs to be programmed to the vehicle before everything works the way it should.

Scam locksmiths sometimes show up with the wrong replacement unit or a cheap aftermarket shell that does not pair correctly, then charge full price. Ask what unit they are bringing before they arrive.

Question 3

What equipment do you use to program Hyundai keys?

Accepted Answer

For a 2001 Tiburon specifically, the job involves an immobilizer programmer connected through the diagnostic port along with the right key blank cut to your vehicle. We use Autel and Xhorse equipment depending on the job. For this era of Hyundai, the process is more accessible than newer models where the manufacturer security data sits behind additional layers that require adjunct tools to access. If a locksmith cannot tell you what tool they are bringing for your specific year and model, that is worth asking about before you agree to anything.

Question 4

My 2001 Tiburon starts fine but the remote lock and unlock buttons on the key stopped working. Do I need a whole new key?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. This is one of the more common complaints on these. The remote side and the ignition side are separate functions in the same unit. If the car starts normally, the chip is doing its job. The dead buttons are almost always a battery or contact issue first.

Pop the key head open carefully, check the battery, and look at the contact tabs inside the shell. On these units the tabs are thin and can lose their spring or corrode without being visibly obvious. Clean the contacts with a dry cloth, reseat the battery, and test again. If that does not bring it back, the fob side of the unit may need replacing and reprogramming, but the blade cut can usually be duplicated from the original so you are not starting from scratch.

Question 5

Can I buy a replacement remote head key online and program it myself for a 2001 Tiburon?

Accepted Answer

The blade side of a replacement needs to be cut to your vehicle, which requires either pulling the key code or decoding the lock mechanically. That part is not a DIY job for most people. The programming side also requires the right equipment connected to the diagnostic port. There is no ignition-turn sequence or button trick that registers a new unit on this vehicle. So buying a blank online gets you partway there, but you still need someone with the tools to cut and program it. Buying through a mobile locksmith who supplies the part directly is usually the cleaner path.

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