So my ignition key wont turn and the lock cylinder is broken. I need to get it replaced, but there is a chip in the key. What do I do about that? The dealer says tow the car to them and pay them 180 to program my ECU. Are there any other options that are not such a complete rip off?
2000 Acura GSR 2 door

 

O'Reilly's shows the part itself to be anywhere from 250-400 bucks.

All I've found is how to enter in the "Brake Code" to temporarily defeat the anti-theft here and here.

Best I can tell, it's got to go to Acura. At least you can save yourself the cost of a tow.

I guess in the end, it makes sense. If one could just replace the immobilizer, then anyone can bust in your Teg, replace the part, and go. Would take a while, but I'm sure somebody out there has the skill set to do it.

You could call a locksmith, and see if they can re-key the new switch to match the old keys. Might be more than 180 bucks though.

 

CORRECT #1

CORRECT #2

So this cost me about $600, because I ordered the wrong part from acuraautomotiveparts.org and there was no indication of it being a special order, so they refused to take back a box of lock parts (Cylinder lock set/$300). I bought the correct part from OReilly's for another $275.

I didn't have to get towed. I had to pull my steering wheel and use a Dremel to grind a slot into the break-away bolts holding the ignition switch on. I took the old key and new ignition lock (along with my box of lock parts) to a local locksmith. He made the Oreilly's new part match my key. So now, I just use the same old chip-key that matches my ECU. The locksmith would have been less than $180, but instead of paying him, I gave him the box of lock parts. Better in his hands than in the hands of a thief/ebay.

 

At least it's running now. Bummer about getting the wrong part, though.