[ethlar]

Ok guys and girls I’m going to summarize everything I know about the Civic and RDX keys up to this point for all of you. The local dealers think I’m crazy for doing all this research BTW.

If you need to go to the bathroom, go now, this is a long one:

Honda and Acura as we all know have been using Immobilizer anti theft systems in their cars for quite some time. There are several types of this system, creatively names Type 1-6 (there is no Type 4 system though). Our Civics are using the newest Type 6 Immobilizer system. The reason that the RSX guys can use the TL-S keys and the Accord keys is because they are Type 5 systems.

Type 5 and Type 6 systems are very similar, in fact nearly identical in electronics, but owners of Type 5 systems often complained of a “hard start” because the key’s transponder was checked before the fuel system was activated. Whereas on the Type 6 system we have the fuel system is activated and the vehicle permitted to start and then the transponder queried, if it fails the fuel is cutoff and does not resume until an accepted transponder is present next time the system checks. (you can see this in action by taking the electronics out of your key and attempting to start your car)

Further, Type 5 systems have their transponders programmed via the HDS tablet system, but the remotes are programmed by repeating the procedure; key in ignition, turn to acc (II), press unlock, turn to off, repeat, on the 4th time the locks should cycle indicating the car is in remote program mode, press the lock button on each of the remotes to be programmed and then turn off the car.

Type 6 transponders are programmed through the HDS system as well, but the HDS also programs the remotes in the process

The RDX remotes are programmed using the Type 5 procedure. Another clue to the type of the key in your hand is apparently that Type 5 keys have separate transponders and remote electronics inside the key. Type 6 has the transponder on the board. The RDX key has its transponder in the base of the rotating part of the key while our civic keys have the transponder on the chip with the electronics.

Essentially what all of this means is that the RDX key more than likely (99%) will not work. Though I still intend to go through with my test programming appointment just in case, cause I really don’t want the $75 investment into the key to go to waste.

If you’re wondering why I bothered to share all of this instead of just saying it doesn’t work. I’ve been researching this stuff for the past 3 weeks, the couple of people on the IRC chat can vouch for that, and didn’t want all of it to go to waste.

I will take apart both keys and take pictures and mark them up in Photoshop for your reference later, I will also update some time after thanksgiving when I get a chance to do my test programming.

If you managed to read through all of that I salute you, and you now know just about everything I do regarding the RDX key in a Civic.

Edit:
The TL-S, RSX, Accord and i would assume other Type 5 system electronics in the keys are made by Omron, the Civic and RDX keys are made by Valeo