2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
Key Replacement - Save vs Dealer in Ventura County

Q: How long will a replacement transponder key last on this car?

A properly cut and programmed key should hold up as long as your original did. The transponder itself doesn't wear out and the programming doesn't degrade. What does wear is the physical key blade, particularly around the shoulder and tip, after years of daily use. On these older transponder keys, the chip lives inside the plastic head.

Q: What if the new key stops working after a few weeks?

Call us and we come back. Simple as that. Everything we make is backed up after we leave. The most common reason a key fails shortly after programming on a vehicle this age isn't the key itself, it's something marginal in the ignition or the immobilizer antenna ring that was already on its way out.

Q: My 2001 Eclipse cranks fine but won't start, and there's a blinking security light. Is that the immobilizer?

Yes, that pattern is a known symptom when the immobilizer doesn't recognize the key. On this generation Eclipse, a flashing security indicator on the dash after cranking usually means the system cycled through and didn't get a valid transponder signal. The engine turns over because the starter circuit is separate from the immobilizer, but fuel or spark gets cut and the car doesn't fire. A few things cause this.

Q: Can I get a spare key made for my 2001 Eclipse, or do I need to go to a dealer?

You don't need a dealer. A mobile locksmith with the right equipment handles this at your location. The 2001 Eclipse does require programming, not just cutting, so a hardware store can't do it. But a dealer isn't your only other option. I come to you in Santa Barbara, cut the blade to your vehicle, and register the chip on site. The dealer comparison isn't really about who does it better, it's about convenience and what you pay.

Emergency? | On Our Way

Available

Transponder Key

All keys lost is our specialty. While the dealer would require a tow and days of waiting, we arrive at your location and have a new key cut and programmed on the spot.

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All Keys Gone? Call Start From Scratch Emergency Ready

Fast Response15-25

min arrival

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2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse car key pricing breakdown from EZ Car Keyz Santa Barbara CA

Zero Keys Needed

We program directly to your vehicle's computer

On-Site Key Cutting

New key cut from vehicle codes, not from a copy

Fast Recovery

Back on the road in 30-45 minutes from arrival

805 Special

10% OFFCODE:EZ-805-2026

🔥 From zero keys to savings 🔥

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2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
Key Options

Dealer-grade key for a fair, honest price

Transponder Key

Mitsubishi Eclipse Emergency Response vs Dealer

No spare key? See your best path forward

EZ Car Keyz

Dealership

Average Cost

✓ $$

✕ $$$$

Location

✓ We come to you

✕ You drive there

Wait Time

✓ 20-45 min

✕ 2-5 days

Same-Day

✓ Yes

✕ Rarely

All Keys Lost

✓ No problem

✕ Tow required

OEM Quality

✓ Yes

EZ Car Keyz wins 5 out of 6

All keys lost is no problem for us

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2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Transponder Key Replacement - Fast, Affordable & Professional

I got a call from a woman parked near the Las Positas area of Santa Barbara. She was a temp worker, early morning, waiting on her assignment. Her Eclipse key had cracked overnight, the plastic head split apart, and she couldn't get a solid grip on it to turn the ignition. She had a job site to reach before 8am and was watching the clock.

I was at her lot in under 20 minutes.

The blade was still intact, which was good. I decoded the lock to confirm the cut, then built a new transponder key to match. Once the blade was cut and verified, I ran the programming through the OBD port to register the chip to her immobilizer. The car fired up clean on the first turn.

Total hands-on time was right around 25 minutes. She made it to her job site. The dealer route would have meant a tow since she couldn't drive it, a wait for parts, and at minimum a full day of missed work she told me she couldn't absorb. She paid a fraction of that and left under her own power.

That's the job. Show up fast, do it right, get the person moving again.

Save vs the Dealer on Your Mitsubishi Eclipse Key

Get your key for hundreds less than the dealer. Same quality, same result, better price.

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LCO#6792

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Mitsubishi Eclipse Rapid Response, Done Right

Rapid response in the field

2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Transponder Key | Rescue Key

Priority ETA

Rapid Arrival

Available Today

Santa Barbara

Help Is Close

805 Area

Same-Day Keys (805) 790-8162

Stranded to Grateful

From no keys to no worries

R

Robert C.

Aug 2023

★★★★★

“Joe arrived fast and made my key quick. He was awesome. 100% recommended this spot.”

Google Review

C

Citlalli J.

Jun 2023

★★★★★

“Fast, easy, and affordable. From the first call to having they keys handed over, Tim took care of everything in less than an hour! Don't bother with your dealership.”

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O

Olga A.

Dec 2025

★★★★★

“Super nice guy & the service was so fast! Definitely would recommend this service to my friends & family”

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Best value 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse key replacement review - EZ Car Keyz Santa Barbara CA

★ 5.0 out of 5 - Based on Over 1,400 five-star Google reviews

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Mitsubishi Eclipse Mobile Service FAQ

Real costs, no dealer surprises

Do you use OEM or aftermarket keys on a 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse?▼

We use blanks that are verified to spec for this vehicle. The 2001 Eclipse is particular about transponder compatibility. The chip inside the key head has to match what the immobilizer expects, and not every aftermarket blank gets that right. I've seen keys that were cut perfectly, seated fine in the ignition, but the car wouldn't run because the chip inside was the wrong type or a low-quality clone that the system refused.