2011/2012 WRX Flip / Switchblade Key

[xluben]

For any questions, please email me (not PM or my box will fill up) via NASIOC (click HERE), and I will help you as much as I can!

THIS ALSO WORKS ON PRIOR to 2011 MODELS. SEE BELOW FOR MORE INFO:



Parts Needed:

• Flip Key Shell (Laser or Non-Laser Cut Blade Depending on Car Model and Year)
• Legacy Remote (Model Varies Depending on Car Model and Year)
• OEM Transponder from Current Key (If Needed Depending on Car Model and Year)

Legacy Remote Known Compatibility:

2002-2007 WRX
2002-2007 STI
2002-2007 Impreza
2005-2009 Legacy
2003-2008 Forester

2011-2013 WRX
2011-2013 STI
2011-2012 Legacy

08-10 Impreza will also require the 09 Legacy reciever box.

For any questions, please email me (not PM or my box will fill up) via NASIOC (click HERE), and I will help you as much as I can!

I do not recommend buying any of these parts on eBay. There have been many, many issues with people getting incorrect or mis-listed parts from eBay. For the flip key housing and Legacy remote, they are hard to find, please email me (not PM or my box will fill up) via NASIOC (click HERE), and I will help you obtain one.

Once you have all the parts, you can start by opening up the flip key shell. It should just open right up, but be careful not to lose any parts. There is a spring under tension, so it may pop out. It should look like this.





Looking at the disassembled flip key parts, you will see that the blank key blade is held into the pivot mechanism by a small roll pin. Simply insert the blade (with the slot in the correct orientation (so it lines up with the hole for the roll pin), and then push the roll pin back in (I used the punch/hammer and gently tapped it into place). It is recommended, but not always necessary, to have the blade cut before installing it.

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[xluben]

Next up is to remove the transponder from the donor key. *If your car does not use a transponder you can skip this step.* It is recommended to use the valet key, but you can also use one of the standard keys. Here are photos of the 2011 WRX valet key getting opened up.



On the 2011 WRX you slice the rubber open, and then there will be a white platic section around the metal key. This pops apart and the transponder comes out. If the car uses a transponder, you will need the transponder in the new key to be able to start the car. The process may vary slightly on other model years that use a transponder.

On the flip shell there is a little spot for it next to the pivot mechanism. The transponder does not stay in place by simply setting it in the slot and assembling the flip key. You will need to use a dab of hot glue or adhesive to hold it in place.



You'll then want to place the remote module from the Legacy key into the flip housing. It should just sit into place. Make sure to flip the key over and make sure all the buttons are showing through properly. It can take some wiggling to get the remote to sit correctly. When it is properly installed all of the buttons should be able to be pressed.

After that, slide the button into the pivot mechanism. There are 3 prongs on the button, and 1 of them is smaller. If you look into the pivot piece, you should be able to see where the smaller prong will sit. Slide it into place. Then set the button/pivot into the housing.



Next you'll need to insert the spring into the button. You want to insert the end of the spring with the end of the last coil bent inwards. If you look at the inside of the button you will see there is a slot for this part of the spring to sit into. Make sure it sits into this slot. When it is in place you should be able to twist the spring and feel the blade turn. If the spring spins freely, then it is not seated correctly.

Once the spring is in place, you need to get the housing back together. This seems simple, except you need to preload the spring or the blade won't pop open. The other side of the housing has some grooves/tabs that will hold the other side of the spring (the end sticks outwards). Line up the housing like the photo above and make sure the spring seats into one of the slots, then give the housing a full turn counter clockwise, and the close the housing. This preloads the spring and makes it pop open with good force.



After the housing is all closed up, you need to screw it together. Use a small (size 0) screwdriver to do this. The screw will self tap into the plastic. Do not overtighten them or they will strip out. Flip the key in and out to make sure it works. Then add the sticker, and you're done with assembly!

[xluben]

The last step to getting this all to work is to program the remote to work with the car. The steps for all models can be found here:

http://www.cars101.com/subaru/keyless.html

Please FULLY read through the instructions before you start. If you do not do it correctly it can be quite frustrating. It looks like a long process (and it kind of is), but once you do it, it is actually fairly simple. Here is the short version that explains only what you need to do if everything goes right. *This is for the 05+ models, older models have a more simple programming sequence which can be found at the link above*

The 8 digit code needed for programming is on the small label included with the Legacy remote.

1. Close all doors, trunk, gate
2. Open the driver's door, sit in the driver's seat, and close the door.
3. Perform the following steps within 45 seconds.
(1) Open and close the driver's door once.
(2) Insert the key into the ignition switch, then turn it from the "LOCK" position to the "ON" position 10 times within 10 seconds (must be done very quickly).
NOTE: When you complete step (2), an electronic tone will sound once.
4. Open and close the door once within 15 seconds, an electronic tone will sound for 30 seconds.
5. Before the electronic tone stops sounding, press the lock side of the power door lock switch the same number of times as the leftmost digit of the transmitter code. For example, press the lock switch eight times if the leftmost digit of the code is 8.
NOTE . The electronic tone will stop sounding when you start entering the number.
6. When you have finished entering the number, press the unlock side of the lock switch within 5 seconds.
NOTE . An electronic tone will sound.
7. Perform parts 5 and 6 of the procedure for each of the remaining digits of the transmitter code beginning with the second digit (counting from the left) and finishing with the eighth digit.
NOTE When you finish entering the eighth digit, an electronic tone will sound for 30 seconds.
8. Before the electronic tone stops sounding, use the power door lock switch to reenter the transmitter code beginning with the leftmost digit.
9. When you have finished entering the code a second time, an electronic tone will sound for 1 second to indicate completion of registration, provided the code entered the second time is identical to that entered the first time.
10. Remove the key from the ignition switch.
11. Test transmitter to confirm correct operation.

[xluben]

[xluben]

[TWlSFM]

Dude. You are a boss. Subscribed!

[Jmhm17]

Nice, I like the step by step pics.

Need a reliable source to sell the 2011-2012 transmitter tho.. I have yet to find one..

The switch blade cases are getting harder to get as well.

[NMZ_WRX]

i wish u could make me one

[NMZ_WRX]

does this work on the 2007 wrx?

[mattesonb]

Nice, I'm glad you took the time to do a write up. I didn't take any photos when I did mine.

I'm going on 3 weeks with this exact key and it's awesome!

[xluben]

Originally Posted by Jmhm17

Nice, I like the step by step pics.

Need a reliable source to sell the 2011-2012 transmitter tho.. I have yet to find one..

The switch blade cases are getting harder to get as well.

Thanks. Send me a PM for parts sourcing inquiries.

Originally Posted by NMZ_WRX

i wish u could make me one

Originally Posted by NMZ_WRX

does this work on the 2007 wrx?

Yes.

Originally Posted by mattesonb

Nice, I'm glad you took the time to do a write up. I didn't take any photos when I did mine.

I'm going on 3 weeks with this exact key and it's awesome!

Yeah, I was still quite confused after reading your posts, and it seemed like the info was spread out through about 5 pages of two different threads on 2 different forums. I'm hoping to get all the info into one place.

[OKC-WRX]

Subscribed. Definately something i want to do one of these days.

[xluben]

Originally Posted by mattesonb

Nice, I'm glad you took the time to do a write up. I didn't take any photos when I did mine.

I'm going on 3 weeks with this exact key and it's awesome!

Thanks.

[xluben]

Well, I got my Legacy key and put it all together, only to find that I got the wrong Legacy key The key works to start the car, but the remote doesn't work. Right now I have a very fancy valet key, lol.



No longer recommending that anyone source parts off eBay. Very, very good chance the parts will be wrong or non-working.

[mw1484]

sorry to hear, that really does look awesome though. Like most, this would be awesome to have.

[olazy]

dang that sucks. legacy keys are scarce once this mod came out, not sure if you're willing but a new legacy key goes for around $60.

quick q, can you remove the key from the legacy fob?

[xluben]

The blade will not be long enough for use in the flip shell.

[masterforce]

yea looks like you got the wrong key. 11+ legacy keys are the laser cut keys. looks like you got a 09-10 key.

[xluben]

I was talking to Power6 and he said that since the FCC ID matches, it is actually probably a 2012 Impreza key. They went back to a standard blade. He thought that it should be able to be programmed, but without the 8 digit code, I don't see any way to do it myself. I might have to stop in to the dealer. Or keep looking for a 2011 Legacy Key.

[DarkLegacyNY]

Awesome.

[olazy]

Originally Posted by xluben

It might be possible, but what everyone has been doing (that doesn't want a flip key. just and all-in-one) is buying one of these blanks and then having it cut:

http://www.rocketkeys.com/product_p/sub-shell-1.htm

just exploring my options because i'm not sure i'd be able to hack up my stock key and i question the quality of the uncut key that comes with the flip shell.

gotcha, but what are they doing about the keyless buttons since the one from rocketkey is just the shell?

[xluben]

Well, you have to cut the stock key open to get the transponder out no matter what. Shaping it to fit in the flip key shell is a challenge though. If you don't want to do that you need to buy a used Legacy key and the Legacy key shell/blade. The blade quality will be fine. Get the blade cut, and then swap the buttons from the used Legacy key into the shell. Then program that remote to work with the car.

[olazy]

Originally Posted by xluben

Well, you have to cut the stock key open to get the transponder out no matter what. Shaping it to fit in the flip key shell is a challenge though. If you don't want to do that you need to buy a used Legacy key and the Legacy key shell/blade. The blade quality will be fine. Get the blade cut, and then swap the buttons from the used Legacy key into the shell. Then program that remote to work with the car.

yeah without the right tool its the re-shaping to fit part that sounds like it would be tricky.

[xluben]

Yeah, that was a bit scary. Worked out fine for me though. Hand files might be better. It would probably take an hour, but you could make it perfect. Your other option is to get the blank blade cut. This will be the same for either a flip key or the normal style Legacy key shell.

[guitarman19853]

Anyone know a non-ebay source for the key shells? They seem to be all gone on ebay.