CAL - Certified Automotive Locksmith Key Generation and Duplication Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A customer has lost all keys to their 2018 Honda Accord with a push-to-start ignition. Which of the following methods is the MOST appropriate first step for an automotive locksmith to generate a new key?
- Disassemble the steering column to access the ignition switch and manually create a key.
- Use a key cloning device to copy the data from a similar Honda model.
- Obtain the vehicle's key code using the VIN and cut a new key, then program it via the OBD-II port. (Correct answer)
- Perform an EEPROM dump by removing the immobilizer module to read the key data directly from the chip.
Correct answer: Obtain the vehicle's key code using the VIN and cut a new key, then program it via the OBD-II port.
In an 'All Keys Lost' (AKL) situation for a modern vehicle like a 2018 Honda, the standard and most efficient procedure is to first obtain the key code from the vehicle manufacturer or a licensed broker using the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This code provides the specific cuts for the physical key blade. Once the key is cut, the locksmith programs the new key's transponder to the vehicle's immobilizer system using a diagnostic tool connected to the OBD-II port.
Question 2: When duplicating a transponder key, what is the primary difference between 'cloning' and 'programming' a new key?
- Cloning requires an internet connection, while programming is done offline.
- Programming creates a new, unique identity for the key in the vehicle's computer, while cloning creates an exact electronic copy of an existing key. (Correct answer)
- Cloning is only for high-security keys, whereas programming is for standard keys.
- Programming can be done with a simple key cutting machine, while cloning requires connection to the OBD-II port.
Correct answer: Programming creates a new, unique identity for the key in the vehicle's computer, while cloning creates an exact electronic copy of an existing key.
Key cloning reads the data from an existing transponder chip and writes it to a new chip, creating an identical twin of the original key. The vehicle's computer sees both keys as the same. Key programming, on the other hand, involves introducing a new, unique transponder key to the vehicle's immobilizer system. The car's computer registers this new key as a distinct, additional key authorized to start the vehicle.
Question 3: Which of the following is a critical prerequisite before cutting and programming a new key for a customer in an 'All Keys Lost' situation?
- Obtaining a signed waiver releasing the locksmith from any liability.
- Verifying the customer's proof of ownership of the vehicle. (Correct answer)
- Checking the vehicle's battery voltage to ensure it's above 12.6 volts.
- Having the customer provide a previously used key for the same vehicle model.
Correct answer: Verifying the customer's proof of ownership of the vehicle.
Before generating a new key for a vehicle, especially when no original key is present, it is an essential security and legal practice to verify that the customer is the legitimate owner. This is typically done by checking their photo ID against the vehicle's registration or title. This step prevents the creation of unauthorized keys and protects both the vehicle owner and the locksmith.
Question 4: A locksmith needs to generate a key for a high-security vehicle where OBD programming is not possible due to a locked immobilizer system. What is the most likely advanced procedure to use?
- Key impressioning using a blank key and a file.
- Using a try-out key set to find the correct bitting.
- Connecting a code reader to the fuse box to bypass the immobilizer.
- Performing EEPROM work to directly read and write key data on the immobilizer's memory chip. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Performing EEPROM work to directly read and write key data on the immobilizer's memory chip.
EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) work is an advanced technique used when standard OBD programming fails or is not supported. It involves physically removing the vehicle's immobilizer module or ECU, locating the memory chip that stores key data, and using a specialized programmer to read the data. This data can then be used to generate a new transponder chip for the key.
Question 5: When selecting a key blank for duplication, which of the following is the MOST important initial factor for a standard (non-high-security) key?
- The brand of the key blank manufacturer.
- The color of the plastic head on the key.
- The correct keyway profile and blade length. (Correct answer)
- The price of the key blank.
Correct answer: The correct keyway profile and blade length.
The most critical factor in selecting a key blank is ensuring the keyway profile (the shape of the blade and its grooves) and the overall length match the original key and the vehicle's locks. An incorrect profile will not even enter the lock cylinder, making any cutting or programming attempts futile.
Question 6: A customer brings you a working transponder key and requests a duplicate. Your cloning tool successfully reads the original key but fails to write the data to the new key blank. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of this issue?
- The vehicle's battery is too low.
- The new key blank uses an incompatible or incorrect type of transponder chip. (Correct answer)
- The original key is a 'master' key that cannot be copied.
- The key cutting machine is not properly calibrated.
Correct answer: The new key blank uses an incompatible or incorrect type of transponder chip.
Transponder keys use various types of chips (e.g., carbon, glass, different technologies like ID46, ID48, etc.). A cloning tool can read the data from an original key, but it must write it to a new key that contains a compatible transponder chip capable of accepting that specific data format. If the new key blank has the wrong type of chip, the writing process will fail.
CAL - Certified Automotive Locksmith Key Generation and Duplication Questions and Answers 1
A customer has lost all keys to their 2018 Honda Accord with a push-to-start ignition.
Which of the following methods is the MOST appropriate first step for an automotive locksmith to generate a new key?