For the billionth time, this is what the 'deal with a key' is:

1) The blade - many locksmiths can cut a blade for you. This will enable the key to unlock the door, using the lock cylinder in the driver's door. It will also turn the ignition switch and turn on accessories, etc. - but it won't, by itself, start the car.

2) Battery operated buttons - there is a small RF transmitter in the fob, operated by battery power, that sends commands to the car's SKREEM for door locking/unlocking/panic alarm. THis is a customer programmable function. YOu can program these buttons to any car using a super simple procedure. Having no batteries in the FOB will mean you can't remotely lock or unlock the car, but it won't stop from the key starting the car (see 3 below).

3) RFID chip - there is a small, black chip glued into the key. When you turn the key to "ON", RF energy is sent from the black ring around the switch to the chip in the key. The chip in the key responds with an encrypted signal - this happens very fast, such that, by the time you have turned the key to "START", the SKREEM knows your key is authorized and it tells the ECU to allow the car to start. If this chip is missing from the key or is not programmed to your car, the engine will turn over three times but the engine will not run. After that, the starter will not even engage. This is not a user-programmable function; and this is what makes getting a replacement key impossible at this time, as the secret codes needed to put into the chip are held by a firm that is not, right now, making keys.


IF the key he gave you has an RFID chip not programmed to your car, OR has no RFID chip - the key is useless for starting the car and always will be.