Replacement key fob blank query

Clarity Dave

Well-Known Member
We've replaced our 2018 Clarity with another 2018 Clarity (it's a long story for another day). The one new to us came with only one key fob, so I'd like to get another. It looks as if a local lock & key place programs key fobs (I don't have an Autel unit so can't follow the procedure posted here a few years back) but my question for the hive mind is -- what key fob blank did you get and where did you buy it? Thanks in advance!
 
I bought mine on eBay in 2023 for about $25, then programmed it using Autel. I've had no problems with it over the past 3 years. It looks like many are available there for $29 or so.
 
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Thanks for those suggestions! Unfortunately, the seller of the fob on eBay that @NorCalPete bought has ended that sale, but there are a number of others available online, so I'll take a flyer on a similar one and check our local Ace hardware store to see if they'll program (if they don't, there's a small locksmith shop nearby that likely will).
 
Our Odyssey fob fell apart and I bought a replacement online but my local Ace wouldn’t work with it, they only cut and program fobs bought from the store. A local locksmith finished the job for us.
 
Some hardware stores can help. Ace by me does them. check your local shops!
Note that it is not the FOB that 'gets programmed'... The FOB's come with unique serial numbers embedded in them and it is the vehicle that 'gets programmed' to accept a given FOB. Of course that is the electronic portion. There is also the mechanical part of the key that does get 'cut' like an old fashioned key. I wouldn't be surprised if a place like Ace could cut the mechanical part, but electronically programming the vehicle would be surprising if they could do that (the most important part).
 
It's both:

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There are a couple of gotcha's to look out for here - First: Ace is likely to not have a FOB that is compatible with the Clarity (and if they did, it would probably be a lot more expensive than the ~$30 that you can find one on eBay for). They specifically state that you must purchase the key from them, so you likely couldn't walk in with your own eBay key and expect them to 'program' it. Second: There is 'programming' and there is 'programming'. There may be some FOB's that do get programmed, and maybe Ace can do those. In the case of the Clarity, it is the vehicle that 'gets programmed' and it is less likely that they could do that.

My intent is not to sound negative, and I would really like to hear a positive success story (beyond a dealer) with either a locksmith or a place like Ace. If anyone succeeds with this, please report back with specifics. We have shown (quite a while back) that it is possible for this to be DIY, and all it takes is the ~$30 fob, and the Autel AP200, but you have to have the Beta version of the App, and it has been so long that I am not sure that Autel will even provide it any more.
 
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