Is your Honda S2000 Key Fob looking a little dated? If you’re like many S2000 enthusiasts, the original key and remote fob, a product of 90s design, might not match the sleek, sporty aesthetic of your beloved roadster. Thirty years after its initial design, wear and tear likely haven’t been kind to your original s2000 key fob.
But there’s a solution to bring your key fob into the 21st century! This DIY guide will walk you through upgrading your old s2000 key fob to a modern, stylish flip key design. While the S2000 boasts a push-start button, it still requires the key for ignition. This upgrade focuses on enhancing the look and feel of your key, offering a refreshed aesthetic without complex modifications.
Before we begin, gather these essential items to transform your s2000 key fob:
- Red Badge Emblem for Remote
- Flip Key Honda FOB
- Small Phillips head screwdriver
- Dremel or cutting tool (sharp pliers work too)
- Patience
Expect this straightforward upgrade to take between 30 to 60 minutes.
This is the Flip Key Honda FOB that will modernize your s2000 key fob:
Step-by-Step Guide to S2000 Key Fob Upgrade
Step 1: Prepare the Original S2000 Key
The first crucial step is to access the transponder chip embedded within your original s2000 key. Manufacturers install transponders as an anti-theft measure, and we need to carefully extract it for our new flip key. To begin, you’ll need to remove the hard, black rubber casing surrounding the key portion. Using your dremel or pliers, carefully cut away the rubber to expose the internal components.
Important Tip: Before you start cutting, we strongly recommend getting a duplicate of your OEM key. This ensures you have a working key in case anything goes wrong during this process. Key duplication services are readily available at most hardware stores. While duplicating, ask them to also cut the blank key blade included with your new flip key fob to match your S2000 key. Many locations offer this service for free when you get a key duplicated.
Here’s what your original key looks like before modification:
And here’s the key after removing the rubber, revealing the transponder:
Step 2: Open the Original Remote Fob
Next, take your original s2000 remote fob and carefully open it. Inside, you’ll find the circuit board that controls the remote locking and unlocking functions. Gently remove this circuit board. The battery is typically held in place by the fob’s plastic housing and should detach easily along with the board.
Step 3: Disassemble the Flip Key Fob
Now, take your new flip key fob and disassemble it. On the back, you’ll find three small Phillips head screws. Use your small screwdriver to remove these screws and carefully separate the two halves of the flip key fob housing.
This is the type of screwdriver you’ll need:
And here are the disassembled parts of the flip key fob:
Step 4: Transfer the Circuit Board
Carefully place the circuit board from your original s2000 key fob into the designated space within the new flip key fob casing. It’s designed to be a direct fit, making this step straightforward.
Step 5: Install the Transponder
Locate the transponder chip you removed from your original key in Step 1. The flip key fob has a specific slot for this transponder, usually circled in the instructions that come with the fob (or as shown below). Place the transponder into this slot. To prevent it from rattling or falling out, use a small piece of adhesive or tape to secure it in place.
Step 6: Reassemble the Flip Key Fob
Now, carefully reassemble the flip key fob. Align the two halves of the housing and use your Phillips head screwdriver to tighten the three screws you removed earlier. This step might require a bit of patience, especially with the spring mechanism that makes the key flip open. You might need to adjust the spring slightly to ensure the key flips out smoothly when you press the button.
Step 7: Add the Red Badge Emblem
For the final touch, take the red Honda badge emblem you purchased and apply it to the recessed square area on the back of the flip key fob. This adds a sporty and personalized detail to your upgraded s2000 key fob.
This is the red badge emblem that elevates the look:
And here’s the remote fob with the red badge applied:
Congratulations! You've successfully upgraded your s2000 key fob to a modern flip key.
Here’s your completed, modern flip-key fob, complete with the red badge:
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Enjoy the updated look and feel of your new s2000 key fob! If you have any tips or advice from your own upgrade experience, feel free to share them in the comments below!