Car Keys Stolen - Help Needed
 

Hoping someone here has had a similar experience and can lend some advice.

I recently lost my keys and subsequently my car. I didn't realize my keys were gone until my car was gone the next morning.

Good news is that the car has been recovered but the thieves still have my original keys. I am certain that once I get my car back, the thieves will come back because they actually came back a few days after the theft and tried to use my old house keys (I immediately changes my house locks after I reported the car stolen) and broke my first replacement lock which I had to replace a 2nd time.

Anyways, the car is back soon from the shop for body repairs but I still need to address the key situation. Also, ICBC is not paying for this part so I need to know the best/most affordable solution.

I know I should get it recoded at the dealership but I've heard stories about people in a similiar situation paying out of pocket for their car/keys to be recoded only to have it stolen a few weeks later with the old key.

Any tips/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.


Edit: My car is a 2007 Acura TL

compustar.

So you the thief knows where you live? So I assume that you either lost it in your neighbourhood or someone you knew took it from you. In that case you might want to install some sort of thief deterent (i.e. outdoor lights with sensors, etc)

And for reprogramming and replacing the key, it depends on your car as well (keyless start, rolling code immobilizer, etc) and how careful is the dealership

Yes, I dropped my keys outside my house.

I have a 2007 Acura TL. Do you or anyone else have any specific recommendations?

Setup surveillance equipment to catch them. They will definitely be trying again.

You should be able to recode the immobilizer so they can't start the car

You could try calling Lockmasters about recoding the tumblers in the locks/ignition

Get the cops to make it their new bait car =)

I got a quote for $600 to get brand new a key/locks/ignition/recoding. Does this sound about right to you guys?

If this includes a new lock cylinder, then it sounds about right

hide behind your entrance with a baseball bat...

600 sounds about right for a 07 TL

Rather than re-code everything, it might be cheaper to price out a complete lock set that would ship with new keys and cylinders and replace everything.

A customer here at Acura had the exact same thing happen to vehicle except on a RSX. $600 bucks is actually pretty cheap if its both parts and labor to get everything done.

You need to program the immobilizer too. I don't think replacing the locks and ignition for an 07 TL is gonna be cheaper than recoding it.

Should have gotten Roadside Plus or Roadstar package from ICBC auto insurance.
Road star reimburses you up to $500 for the cost of replacing your keys and re-keying your locks if the keys or remote entry transmitter were stolen. Of course a police file number is required.
Roadside Plus reimburses up to $1000 for the cost of replacing your keys and re-keying your locks if your keys or remote entry transmitter were stolen (this one requires no deductible) Of course a police file number is required.

I have never heard anyone use or needed to claim before though...
Maybe consider getting it for the future if you qualify for the packages.

Step 1: Buy a baby-monitor.
Step 2: Install fuel-kill in car.
Step 3: Put baby monitor in car, and engage fuel-kill.
Step 4: Go to sleep with baseball bat in hand.
Step 5: Wait until you hear people getting in car through the baby monitor.
Step 6: Go smash some skulls and get car keys back.
Step 7: ..................
Step 8: Profit?? :troll:

But really, get some outdoor sensor lights (if you don't have any yet) and re-code/new locks. I would suggest a fuel-kill though if you think their just going to keep coming back. Only way to keep a car at home is fuel-kill, unless they tow it.