Can the 'all metal' Nismo key be used in my 99 SE-L with the immobilizer if I were to take the chip out of the OEM key and plant it somehow within the steering column close-by to the ignition cylinder so that the signal is still picked up? Has anybody done this before? I have searched but without luck.

 

Rather than just take the chip out, why dont you just keep the original key taped under the dash or within range from the immobilizer. Then you can use any key (whether it is a $2.00 hardware store special, or the NISMO key that you are talking about). What's wrong with the original key?

 

The only issue with the original key is that the corner where the chip is positioned has a small crack in it. I don't want to get moisture in there or anything as the gap is big enough for water to seep in. Taping the entire key under the dash may be too far away from the ignition, no? Plus, leaving a functional key in the car makes me feel a touch unsafe.

 

Keeping "the chip" constantly in range of the ignition is basically making your security system immobilizer useless.

Not exactly a smart idea.

 

Right, but with a nice aftermarket alarm it should be fine.

 

an idea: cut the key so that it just looks like a fob, and put it on the keychain with the nismo key.
just an idea.

 

hmmm.. possibly ben

 

thats what i was thinking, just keep both keys on the keychain.

 

you can try it but i doubt that will work. i always have thought that the key has to be inside the ignition because there is a ring that goes around the ignition switch itself. on another note, who still sells the nismo key?

 

ebay's got some, so there are places out there to find them