A deep dive into the challenges of registering a keyless access control module on a 2018 Acura RDX, highlighting the complexities of immobilizer systems and module programming. The discussion covers the interplay between various vehicle control modules, the nuances of Honda and Acura immobilizer systems, and the difficulties faced when aftermarket tools fail to register new modules. The episode also explores diagnostic strategies, the importance of understanding the vehicle's history, and the impact of incorrect diagnoses on programming success. Practical tips on key status checking and tool selection are shared, making it a valuable resource for technicians dealing with similar programming hurdles.
This week on the show I share my struggles trying to register a keyless access control unit in a 2018 Acura RDX. We've done many of these modules on other Honda's and Acura's before with no issues. This car however throws us a curve ball. Listen to here the solution.
"So this was a 2018 Acura RDX SUV and this was a programming job that the shop called us in for,"
The Acura RDX is a small luxury SUV made by Acura, which is Honda's fancy car brand. The 2018 version has a turbocharged engine and lots of modern features.
The Acura RDX is a compact luxury crossover SUV produced by Acura, Honda's luxury vehicle division. The 2018 model is part of the third generation, known for its turbocharged engine and advanced technology features.
"Keyless Access Control Unit, which is just the control module that is going to work with the proximity keys in order to identify that the key belongs to the vehicle."
This is a computer inside the car that talks to the special key you carry. It makes sure the key is yours so you can unlock and start the car without using a regular key.
The Keyless Access Control Unit is an electronic control module in vehicles that manages communication with proximity keys. It verifies that the key belongs to the vehicle and allows keyless entry and starting.
"And then it serves as the immobilizer or one of the immobilizer modules for the vehicle in order to key it up and to start it."
An immobilizer is a safety feature that stops your car from starting if you don't have the right key. It helps keep your car safe from thieves.
An immobilizer is an electronic security device in vehicles that prevents the engine from starting unless the correct key or token is present. It helps reduce vehicle theft.
"and then working with both the engine control module and the body control module in order to"
This is a computer in your car that controls things like the lights, windows, and locks to make sure they work properly.
The body control module (BCM) is an electronic control unit that manages various electronic accessories in a vehicle, such as lighting, windows, and security systems.
"and then working with both the engine control module and the body control module in order to"
This is a small computer in your car that controls how the engine runs, like when to add fuel and when to fire the spark plugs, so the car works well.
The engine control module (ECM) is a computer that manages engine functions such as fuel injection, ignition timing, and emissions control to optimize performance and efficiency.
"some of these Hondas and Acuras of this era that use a nine speed transmission, the transmission control module for the nine speed is actually part of the immobilizer system as well."
A nine speed transmission is a car part that changes gears automatically to help the car go faster or slower smoothly.
A nine speed transmission is a type of automatic transmission with nine forward gear ratios, allowing for better fuel efficiency and smoother acceleration.
"the transmission control module for the nine speed is actually part of the immobilizer system as well. And that is something to be aware of if a shop replaces a TCM on the nine speed Hondas or Acuras."
The transmission control module is a small computer in the car that helps change gears at the right time.
The transmission control module (TCM) is an electronic component that manages the operation of the transmission, controlling gear shifts and ensuring optimal performance.
"Although now that I say that we've done some CRVs that were pretty close to this year range as well."
The Honda CR-V is a smaller SUV that lots of people like because it's dependable and easy to use.
The Honda CR-V is a compact crossover SUV popular for its reliability and practicality. Some models in the discussed year range also use similar keyless access and immobilizer systems.
"And so we went through Service Info while he was there just to see, are we missing something? Is there a different step on this particular vehicle that other Hondas and Acuras don't have?"
Service Information is like a detailed instruction book from the car maker that helps mechanics fix the car the right way.
Service Information refers to official repair manuals or databases provided by manufacturers that guide technicians on how to diagnose and repair vehicles.
"If you go into Service Info, it says hook up the scan tool, go to this function, and then read the directions on the tool."
A scan tool is a gadget that connects to your car's computer to find problems or help fix things.
A scan tool is a diagnostic device that connects to a vehicle's onboard computer to read error codes, perform programming, or carry out maintenance functions.
"One of the real common ones that I can think of is for Chrysler vehicles, where it's going to tell you to hold the smart key up to the button for particular like Dodge Jeep vehicles, where the key actually needs to be as closer to the"
A smart key lets you open and start your car without putting a key in the door or ignition. It works when you have the key nearby.
A smart key is a keyless entry and ignition system that allows a driver to unlock and start a vehicle without physically inserting a key, often using proximity sensors.
"center console, because that's where the antenna that interacts with the key during the key learning is, right? And that's just a common thing that you would see at an auto that it's going to tell you to put the key in the wrong spot, essentially."
Key learning means teaching the car to recognize a new key so it can start the engine.
Key learning is the process by which a vehicle's security system recognizes and pairs a new or replacement key with the car's immobilizer system to allow the vehicle to start.
"Or where did you get this module from? New use, remanufactured, online special, where did that thing come from?"
A remanufactured part is a used car part that has been fixed up to work like new again.
Remanufactured parts are used components that have been restored to like-new condition by replacing worn or damaged parts and testing to meet original specifications.
"If you have a tool like the key tool max, or a hotel cam 100, and I'm sure there's some other tools as well, they'll read the mobilizer chip that is within the, the key itself, right,"
Key Tool Max is a gadget that helps read and set up car keys so they can start the car.
Key Tool Max is a specialized diagnostic device used by locksmiths and technicians to read and program vehicle keys and immobilizer chips.
"If you have a tool like the key tool max, or a hotel cam 100, and I'm sure there's some other tools as well, they'll read the mobilizer chip that is within the, the key itself, right,"
Hotel Cam 100 is a tool that helps check and set up car keys so the car will recognize them.
Hotel Cam 100 is another type of key programming and diagnostic tool used to read immobilizer chips and program keys for vehicles.
"So we order one, we use a transponder island right now. And depending on where you're located, you can get a key overnight, you know, mailed to you for a very reasonable price."
Transponder Island is a website where you can buy car keys and parts to help program them so your car will start.
Transponder Island is an online retailer specializing in automotive keys, transponders, and programming tools, offering fast shipping and competitive pricing.
"One thing I do want to point out here, and this is useful for any Honda push button stuff... it has you hold the start button. And then it will actually key up the vehicle."
Instead of using a key to start the car, push button start lets you just press a button to turn the engine on, as long as you have the special key fob nearby.
Push button start is a vehicle ignition system that allows the driver to start the engine by pressing a button instead of turning a traditional key. It typically works with a key fob that communicates wirelessly with the vehicle.
"So at this point, I'm like, okay, I'm going to try the Honda tool, right? So there's the Honda HDS, which you can just purchase a subscription through a Honda tech info or Honda service express, you make an account, you buy a subscription."
Honda HDS is a special computer program that helps Honda mechanics check and fix problems in Honda cars, including programming keys.
Honda HDS (Honda Diagnostic System) is a professional diagnostic software used by Honda technicians to access vehicle systems, run diagnostics, and perform programming tasks like immobilizer functions.
"So at this point, I'm like, okay, I'm going to try the Honda tool, right? So there's the Honda HDS, which you can just purchase a subscription through a Honda tech info or Honda service express, you make an account, you buy a subscription. Now, there's various subscriptions for both lengths and what you're trying to do. And if you're going to do immobilizer functions, there's a security professional one, you do have to be registered with NASDAF, it is going to ask for your credentials."
Honda Service Express is a website where Honda mechanics can buy access to special tools and information to fix Honda cars.
Honda Service Express is an official online platform where technicians can purchase subscriptions to access Honda technical information, diagnostic tools, and security functions.
"And then you're going to enter your VIN number, and it's going to give you a PCM code. And then you can enter that PCM code in order to get the immobilizer tool to connect to the vehicle."
A VIN number is like a car's fingerprint that helps identify it and get important info about the car.
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle, used for identification and accessing vehicle-specific information like key codes and programming.
"I go through the process. And now really, I'm only doing one key at a time, I'm able to program it in no problem. It takes the keys, it takes all of the keys, the two originals and the new one programs them in no problem."
Key programming means teaching your car to recognize a new key so it will start the engine and let you use it.
Key programming is the process of registering a new key or smart key fob with a vehicle's immobilizer system so that the car recognizes and accepts it for starting and security purposes.
Select text to request an explanation
Welcome to the Automotive Diagnostic Podcast.
We're going to explore ways to sharpen our diagnostic skills, find learning resources,
and hear from experts in the automotive field.
This show is brought to you by Auto Rescue Tools and Isaac Rodel. If you've been looking for a
programming laptop, you're not sure which one to buy or how to set it up, especially if you
want to program multiple brands. You've got some domestic vehicles, you've got European vehicles,
can the same software go on the same laptop? What size hard drive do I need? All those questions.
Isaac's your guy. He can custom set up programming laptops that are ready to tackle any make or
model. I've got one of these laptops myself and I can say that it is outstanding and it really
streamlines the process by having everything you need in one device. So if you're looking for
something like that, I highly recommend checking out AutoRescueTools.com. You'll also find scan
tools, diagnostic equipment, key cutting equipment, and much more. Check out the link in the show notes.
I highly recommend it. Hey, what's going on Automotive World? Welcome to another episode of
the Automotive Diagnostic Podcast. My name is Sean Tipping. I'll be your host once again for this
week's episode. Thank you so much for joining me. I'm going to go over a case study this week for
a vehicle that kicked my butt. I felt a little bit silly once I actually found out what the problem
was, but we'll get to that and you can share if you've been through something that's similar.
This was, I would say, a learning experience for me. I mean, once I saw what the problem was,
it was very obvious, but it took me several hours to get there. We spent a lot of time on this one.
So this was a 2018 Acura RDX SUV and this was a programming job that the shop called us in for,
Keyless Access Control Unit, which is just the control module that is going to work with the
proximity keys in order to identify that the key belongs to the vehicle. And then it serves as the
immobilizer or one of the immobilizer modules for the vehicle in order to key it up and to start it.
But it's going to be in charge of running the antennas and taking the signal from the key
and then working with both the engine control module and the body control module in order to
give it the thumbs up that like, hey, this is okay to key up. Interestingly enough,
some of these Hondas and Acuras of this era that use a nine speed transmission,
the transmission control module for the nine speed is actually part of the immobilizer system as well.
And that is something to be aware of if a shop replaces a TCM on the nine speed Hondas or Acuras.
We had a, I think it was a 16 pilot. It will be immobilized until that transmission control module
is actually registered within the system, which that job separate from what we're doing here
actually presents its own challenges in order to do that, especially if you don't even know
that the TCM is part of the immobilizer system on those. But it kind of puts it into the same
state where the vehicle is basically unresponsive when it is in that immobilized state that like,
you press the button on the dash and literally nothing happens. And I'll show you some ways
to get around that with these systems. But it was, you know, somewhat expected with this particular
vehicle because the key looks keyless access control module had been replaced. It is essentially
the immobilizer module for the vehicle or again, at least tied in with the rest of the immobilizer
system. And so if it's new, it's not registered, then of course, you know, it's not going to keep
the vehicle. Now, we have done a ton of keyless access units for Hondas or Acuras. This is probably
the newest one that we've been called out for. Although now that I say that we've done some
CRVs that were pretty close to this year range as well. But we've done a lot of them. And we've
been very successful because they really haven't been that difficult to register to the vehicle.
And that's the process. It's not programming necessarily, although we group that, you know,
under the programming service that we offer, it's just registration where really all you're doing
is you're teaching in the keys to the keyless access control unit. And then you're going to
initialize it or register it with the other immobilizer components on the vehicle, right?
The engine control module, the body control, all that stuff. But it's a relatively simple process.
And for all the other ones that we've done, we've been able to do this with aftermarket tooling,
either with Auto or Topdown. One of those two has handled it for us for every single one that we've
up until this point. Well, and actually, Topdown worked fine for this too, eventually. But
there is a Honda tool that can be used. I'll talk a little bit about that and the
challenges that you might run into if you're trying to use that tool. But there is a Honda
immobilizer tool that you do need your NASA credentials for. In case you run into something
where aftermarket tools won't meet the requirements of immobilizer, which on a newer Honda, that might
be the case. You might have to go that route. Anyways, we get called in. We've done a ton of
these things, didn't think a whole lot of it. But we get out there and Steve was actually the first
person that went out to this vehicle, and we tried to register it and we can't get anywhere.
Basically, you get to the point of registration where it would normally learn in the keys,
and it just says failed. And we try, you know, every tool that Steve had with him, he didn't
have the Honda tool with him at the time. But every tool that he had got the same response.
Every way that we tried got the same response. And so we went through Service Info while he was
there just to see, are we missing something? Is there a different step on this particular vehicle
that other Hondas and Acurs don't have? And Service Information is not excellent at really
telling you what has to happen. It says to register the unit. But basically, if you go into Service
Info, you look this up, it says hook up the scan tool, go to this function, and then read the
directions on the tool. So in Service Information, it doesn't break it down for you step by step.
It just says do what the tool says. And, you know, with aftermarket tooling, there's always a question
mark of have the steps been translated correctly in the correct order. I've had plenty of
applications like that, where I'm using, you know, a Chinese based tool. And yeah, it has the
instructions on there, but they're out of order. Maybe it has a step that doesn't apply to this
vehicle. Maybe it's just translated strangely, or just plain incorrect. And then you're either
missing something or not doing something correctly. One of the real common ones that I can think of
is for Chrysler vehicles, where it's going to tell you to hold the smart key up to the button
for particular like Dodge Jeep vehicles, where the key actually needs to be as closer to the
center console, because that's where the antenna that interacts with the key during the key learning
is, right? And that's just a common thing that you would see at an auto that it's going to tell
you to put the key in the wrong spot, essentially. And there's all kinds of stuff like that. So
where I'm going with that is Service Information is telling us to read the tool. And then, you know,
we're relying on the instructions on the tool. But that's why I had, you know,
Steve try all the different ones. And each one kept coming up with the same result.
Now, at this point, we get called in to do a lot of programmings on vehicles for modules
that are meant to correct a problem. I mean, I would say most of the time, that's why we're
getting called out is they've replaced the module in order to correct a problem. The issue that we
have or the challenge that we're up against is we don't always know exactly what the problem was
before. And we also don't know if they diagnose it correctly. And so we're put into an immediate
question mark there. Of course, we'll try to find out like, why are we replacing this module?
What was the situation before? You know, what are we trying to or hoping to correct? And
it puts us in a situation a lot of time where even if we know what it is, like, okay, it's a no
start or it's a no communication. Now, we're going in and trying to program a module on something
where the issue was not diagnosed correctly. So whatever that problem is, it still exists on
the vehicle. Let's just say it's a the network was shorter to ground somewhere. And it wasn't
this module that they replaced, but they thought that it was going to fix it. Well, now we're
trying to program something on a system that is broken. And that whatever that, you know, broken,
however it is broken, that's going to prevent us from even doing the programming, let alone fix
the original problem, right? So we're thrown into situations like that quite often. Again,
why we try to figure out why, why are we replacing this? What was the status before? And sometimes,
and we'll do this here on this vehicle too, is we'll just install the old one to verify what
are the conditions before this module is replaced, right? Did we have a lack of communication,
you know, with the old one or is this module actually the problem or is there another problem?
That's what we're sometimes trying to figure out. Because, you know, again, trying to program a module
that is disabled for a whole nother reason, we're going to be there all day trying to program
this thing. But on this particular Acura, the vehicle start ran, all the key functions worked
correctly, all the proximity functions worked correctly with the original module. Key was good,
vehicle started. The reason that they were replacing it according to the shop was a intermittent
activation of the alarm system on this. That was their reason. Now, I have no idea if the
replacement module is going to fix that or not. But it wasn't even something that was consistent.
So you can plug in the original module, this thing keys up starts no problems,
and we verify that. And so we know that, okay, something's going on with the programming,
but what is it? Now, we also always want to ask, where does the module come from? Or where did you
get this module from? New use, remanufactured, online special, where did that thing come from?
Because that also changes our approach to it as well. Like maybe a used one can't be done in
this application. Maybe you got the wrong part number. And that's true, even if it is from
the dealer, but at least if it's from the dealer, we have a better chance. And that is where they
got this one from was the dealership. So brand new part. I'll touch on the part number thing
in a little while. But as far as we could tell, this is a brand new part, it should just work.
We couldn't get it to go. I tried to help Steve out over the phone best I could,
but we ran up against it. Now, one thing that I did have him check was the key itself.
If you have a tool like the key tool max, or a hotel cam 100, and I'm sure there's some other
tools as well, they'll read the mobilizer chip that is within the, the key itself, right,
whether that be a blade key or a smart key, you can read the data. And a lot of these keys,
when you read them, they will say locked or unlocked. Now, take this with a grain of salt,
because just because a key says that it's locked doesn't mean that it can't be reused on a vehicle
with a, you know, if you replace the mobilizer module, but there are situations where if the key
says locked, it will not work getting programmed in to, you know, a vehicle if you change over the
mobilizer module. And one instance that we have run into quite frequently on this
is infinity and Nissan's where BCM is replaced. You also have to do the keys, the keys lock
to one BCM. And that's it. They're not going to work in another application. I've seen that be
the case with GM keys. I've seen that be the case with some Chrysler keys. It's not, and it's not
all of them. That's the tough part about it is they don't all play by the exact same rules.
And I've seen situations where I'll read it says locked, but you can still train it into, you know,
another module. So if you see that when you read the key, which I think is a useful tool, if you're
going to do any mobilizer stuff, you should have something like a key tool max or KM 100 in order
to read the data out of the tool, right? You can tell is the chip correct is the chip reading at
all. You know, does it say locked or unlocked? And there's a few other pieces of information that
you get along with it to like the actual key ID, which can be helpful if you're doing like board
level work. But anyways, we read the key, it said locked. And so we're out of options of
things to try anyways. And so I told him, I was like, let's just get a key. See if the customer
has another one. But let's get a brand new key. Because I don't think a second customer trained
key that is also locked is going to help any. But let's try a new one. And we'll see. So we order
one, we use a transponder island right now. And depending on where you're located, you can get a
key overnight, you know, mailed to you for a very reasonable price. I actually really like their
service, the speed at which you can get keys by, it's a fantastic resource for getting keys. So
transponder island to check that out. But so we get a key for it. And then I go back the next day,
and I run into the same stuff that Steve ran into. And I brought a few more tools to try.
Just to see is this a tooling thing. And I tried every single aftermarket tool I had.
I looked over the entire vehicle for like other systems that had codes that might be preventing
this. And we I got a tip from a friend of mine. So credit to him is to make sure that none of
the other immobilizer modules have codes in them, because those codes being present in the
other modules can prevent the registration from happening on some of these Honda immobilizer
systems. There wasn't a code in any of the modules. I was getting blocked at the same spot that Steve
was. And I tried a new key. So took the other key out of the vehicle. And then I tried the new key
and tried to get this to train in and couldn't couldn't make it happen. Same thing got blocked
right when you get to the point of where you're going to register the key itself. Okay. And that
is part of the process. And it's for it's really like the first step in the registration. Now,
one thing I do want to point out here, and this is useful for any Honda push button stuff.
This show is brought to you by Automotive Seminars. If you're looking to stay up on the cutting
edge diagnostic strategies and techniques, this is the place you've got live four hour seminars
that are put online that you can join in, ask questions, interact with the instructors with
some of the best the best they've got Keith Perkins and John Thornton putting on classes like
See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark.
Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.
