Replacement Keys for a Mitsubishi ASX 2017 – Eastney Beach, Portsmouth

An emergency call out was received, to replace a key fob on a Mistubishi ASX 2017. The car was near Eastney beach, in Portsmouth and the family were locked out of their vehicle after swimming in the sea with the key fob in a pocket. Since electronic circuits and water do not mix, upon reaching the ASX after swimming in the sea, the key fob was unresponsive and would not unlock the car.

To add to the woes, the family had a small child to look after, and the emergency key in the Mitsubishi ASX key fob would not work in the door lock. Arriving on site and initially attempting to pick the door lock, it was discovered that the door lock itself was seized solid – probably due to never being used or operated. Similar to many moving mechanical parts, locks like to be used, cleaned and lubricated on the occasion and in this case, the door lock of the Mitsubishi ASX had never been used or maintained. So, it was down to plan b – ole School.

Gaining Entry to the Locked Mitsubishi ASX

A rod was selected of the correct length, air bags and wedges were used to create a gap in the drivers door, and after several attempts at bending the rod to the correct angles to reach the door handle, it was possible to hook around the internal door handle to open the car. In this case the family were lucky, as the door was not deadlocked/double locked. We had managed to gain entry to the Mitsubishi ASX. However, the alarm was howling like a Banshee, so I had to work quickly, since we were near a quiet, peaceful beach on a sunny day.

I tried the original key in the key sensing area, but the transponder was water damaged and the vehicle would not recognise the key.

Pre-configuring the Mitsubishi ASX Smart Key

The customer reported that another locksmith had visited the vehicle and was unable to program a genuine Mitsubishi ASX key fob to the vehicle. It simply wouldn’t take it. At this point I decided to try an after market, programmable, universal smart remote. These vehicle key fobs can be pre-programmed to match the immobiliser systems of many vehicles, but not all. A best guess was selected for pre programming, a universal XM38 remote was selected and pre-programmed to the selected logic, prior to attempting to program the key to the vehicle.

Programming the Key Fob to The Vehicle

Selecting an OBD programmer which has worked well on Mitsubishi cars in the past, the immobiliser pin code was read successfully. The immobilser data was backed up, and the key programming commenced. On the ASX, and many other Mitsubishi vehicles, keys need to be programmed to the key sensing area, which is a slot in the glove box. Since the universal key was a different shape to the original key, the PCB board was removed from the key case so that it would fit into the slot. Programming commenced and the alarm stopped – a good sign. The programmer indicated success and upon dipping the clutch and pressing the start button, the vehicle fired up. The remote was tested from outside the car, with the doors shut and drivers window open (in case the new key logic was not correct) and the vehicle successfully locked, and unlocked.

The family departed Eastney Beach and went home with the car, complete with new key fob. Job done.

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