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Spare key turns starter motor but doesn't fire up ignition?

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Old Sep 11, 2013
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Spare key turns starter motor but doesn't fire up ignition?

OK, so I've searched pretty hard to find a similar case to mine and had no luck, but please redirect me if I'm wrong in thinking that.

I recently had to use the spare key and for whatever reason, it turns the starter motor no problem but either the spark plugs or the injectors don't seem to want to do anything. I'm still kinda learning the ropes with Hondas so don't know if this is a standard response for a key that doesn't exactly match the pins? As opposed to either not being able to turn the key at all, or not getting any electrical systems on at all?
The keys profiles match almost perfectly- as in the spare key is a bit less dulled down obviously. If anything, that would make you think that the opposite might happen and the regular one would be the problem.

It's an 01 UK spec Civic S and I only got it a few months ago with a decent discount because the key fob was smashed to pieces, which makes me think that the spare might be a DIY job from the previous owner.

Even so, I've never heard of a key causing this to happen so any ideas? Cheers for any enlightenment!
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Old Sep 11, 2013
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Re: Spare key turns starter motor but doesn't fire up ignition?

If it's a transponder key ignition, then the key may be a standard key or a non programmed key. In that case, it would turn in the ignition, but not allow the car to start.
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Old Sep 11, 2013
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Re: Spare key turns starter motor but doesn't fire up ignition?

need take the key/car to dealer and have it programmed, likely
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Old Sep 11, 2013
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Re: Spare key turns starter motor but doesn't fire up ignition?

If your green key symbol is flashing while trying to start the car then the spare is a non-transponder key.

If you still have the original key, a quick test would be to insert the spare and hold the head of the original next to the head of the spare and try to start the car. If it starts then for sure the spare does not have a chip in it.
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Old Sep 11, 2013
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Re: Spare key turns starter motor but doesn't fire up ignition?

yep. I'm siding with the programming (rather, lack of) of the key. Your car has an immobilizer unit that serves as a theft prevention measure. What it does it is disables fuel delivery to the engine, not allowing it to start. It'll crank all day long, but will never actually fire up the engine.

at least, that's how I was to understand it.
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Old Sep 13, 2013
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Re: Spare key turns starter motor but doesn't fire up ignition?

keys have rfid chips in them so they need to be programmed some places can do it besides dealers depends where you live some walmarts will have them or some other hardware stores ive seen had them i seen an ace hardware had one once
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