Autel im508 key programmer

[signcrafter]

Anyone have one of these autel IM508 key programmers? Thinking about picking one up for my own use and also for doing friends and family vehicles. There have been so many times I've been asked if I can program new keys and ignition switches and other stuff. It wouldn't take very many keys for it to pay for itself. Just wondering if anyone has experience with it and if there are certain keys and fobs it can't do. Woul hate to spend 1000 bucks have it not work on the first vehicle I try it on.

 

[WillRead]

What exactly do you want to know? I've used one pretty extensively, it's been pretty good once you learn to use it. It's not as simple on a few makes (VW, BMW) but on most Japanese and domestic is pretty straight forward.

If you're not doing, or don't plan on doing a lot European, I find I like the AutoProPad more, not sure on the cost difference BUT I personally find it more capable.

 

[Neggy]

see if you can find a Snap On bidirectional scanner used with 17.2 or higher software.... it will do keys, and a lot of other stuff

 

[WillRead]

see if you can find a Snap On bidirectional scanner used with 17.2 or higher software.... it will do keys, and a lot of other stuff

But will it pull the pin on a Chrysler or late model GM? If not, it's not very useful if you're trying to program keys.

 

[signcrafter]

But will it pull the pin on a Chrysler or late model GM? If not, it's not very useful if you're trying to program keys.

Do you know if the autel 508 will do that? From what I read it's supposed to do almost all keys and fobs.

 

[WillRead]

Do you know if the autel 508 will do that? From what I read it's supposed to do almost all keys and fobs.

Yes it will pull the pin on most (99%) Chryslers and late model GM. It's a little hokey on the older (very early 2000's) Chryslers, but most after market tools are. needing a non transponder key, an unprogrammed transponder key and a programmed one. And if that isn't an available option for you, it comes with everything needed to pull the pin from the EEPROM on the BCM.

 

[signcrafter]

Yes it will pull the pin on most (99%) Chryslers and late model GM. It's a little hokey on the older (very early 2000's) Chryslers, but most after market tools are. needing a non transponder key, an unprogrammed transponder key and a programmed one. And if that isn't an available option for you, it comes with everything needed to pull the pin from the EEPROM on the BCM.

Thanks for the advice.

Pretty sure I'm going to order one. So if I get this and need to program a key, say a ford PATS key, where is the best place to get one and then get it cut? Can I just order blank keys and take them to my local hardware store to have them cut it? Then just use the autel to program it?

 

[WillRead]

As long as you're not purchasing SUPER cheap Chinese no name brands you should be fine. We cut our own, I know most hardware stores will do it.

We use probably 75% aftermarket keys and don't run into too many issues. (Maybe 1 out of 20?)

 

[getawheel]

I bought the IM508 for pretty much your reasons, and still cannot find anyone to CUT a flat key without buying it and letting them program it. Older regular keys no problem to get cut, and it will program lots of things - but a good bi directional scanner is probably a better tool to have, and will likely do most keys too. I sort of regret buying the kit. The key cutter is way more than I am willing to fork out just to have.

 

[signcrafter]

I bought the IM508 for pretty much your reasons, and still cannot find anyone to CUT a flat key without buying it and letting them program it. Older regular keys no problem to get cut, and it will program lots of things - but a good bi directional scanner is probably a better tool to have, and will likely do most keys too. I sort of regret buying the kit. The key cutter is way more than I am willing to fork out just to have.

I bought an autel maxisys 906bt. It's supposed to do some keys but I havent tried it. When I bought it I emailed aeswave and autel about what it can and cant do and the answer I got was it will do some but the 508 is the tool for key programming. The 508 has the port or whatever that you set the key or fob in and it will program them that way.

That's weird that no one will cut a key for you. I would think that you could get a key cut from the dealer and then just do the programming yourself.

 

[getawheel]

I bought an autel maxisys 906bt. It's supposed to do some keys but I havent tried it. When I bought it I emailed aeswave and autel about what it can and cant do and the answer I got was it will do some but the 508 is the tool for key programming. The 508 has the port or whatever that you set the key or fob in and it will program them that way.

That's weird that no one will cut a key for you. I would think that you could get a key cut from the dealer and then just do the programming yourself.

Not any dealer I know of, locksmith should but won't, they need to pay for their programmer.
I have made BMW and MB IR keys with the IM508 / XP400 set, and done an 'all keys lost', it pulls the PIN and programs fine. Same issue with new Ford cuts,the flat key is a different cutting machine - and the little looking around I did pretty expensive; if you are not in the trade it will never come close to paying for itself. I have a lot of expensive tools, but the flat key cutter or whatever the correct term is likely one I will not buy for a long time. We have a MaxiSys Elite that will do PATS for sure, no idea if it will interface with the XP400 though. Autel is pretty ambiguous on capabilities until you own the machine.

 

[wafrederick]

But will it pull the pin on a Chrysler or late model GM? If not, it's not very useful if you're trying to program keys.

GM is done without a scan tool and the easiest one to program keys in

 

[signcrafter]

A little update since this thread was brought back up.

I ended up getting the im508 after I posted this thread. Then ran into the same issue mentioned above not being able to get keys cut anywhere. Hardware store wouldn't cut key unless I bought it from them and they charge almost 100 bucks for a key so that basically negated any savings. Small town so no locksmith and the ones I called in the nearest big town pretty much laughed. Not worth their time to cut a key I bring into them. Which is weird because you would think 10 to 15 bucks for 5 minutes of work would be worth it. So basically had an expensive autel 508 brick I couldn't use to program keys because I couldn't get a key cut anywhere. After doing some research I ended up purchasing a cheap chinese defu key cutter for doing edge cut keys. I bought some schlage house key blanks to try it out on since they are cheaper then car keys and practiced on since I've never cut a key before. After a few adjustments it worked good. I moved on to cut another key for our ford truck and one for our chevy car and they both worked. Have done a few for friends and family that needed it. Then was asked to do a gm flip key that is laser cut, still not sure why it's called laser cut when it uses a end mill as a mini mill. Ended up buying the defu machine to do these keys also. Have done a gm flip key and a honda key with it. This one took a lot more adjusting to get it to cut correctly. I bought a 10 pack of replacement flip key blades to practice on. Ended up finding that the tracer bit and the milling bit where a few thousands of an inch off from each other. So it was causing an issue. Got that worked out and working alright now. These are far from quality machines but with a little work you can get them to cut keys that work.

So far the autel has been great. Wasnt planning on getting basically a whole locksmith setup but after I already had the im508 and nobody would cut a key I was forced to either dive in or sell my 508 probably at a loss. I took the gamble to buy the machines and do my own cutting and programming and so far it's working out and once people hear I can do keys I've had lots of requests. Seems like everyone loses a key and runs around with one key. Have made a good dent in making back my initial investment just doing spare keys for friends and family. If I keep getting asked to make keys I will upgrade my cheap chinese cutters to one of the entry level digital cutters like the x horse or something. But that will be a ways down the road.

That's been my adventure into the key making scene. I probably wouldn't have bought the autel if I would have checked and found out that I couldn't get a key cut. But once I was that far in I really didnt have a choice besides jumping all in.

 

[WillRead]

GM is done without a scan tool and the easiest one to program keys in

That entirely depends on the year of the vehicle and how many keys you have. 2017+ requires 2 keys to add another.

So if you have 2 and want a 3rd no problem but if you only have 1 you need to be able to either buy the pin or pull it with a tool.

 

[Brownsfan]

Has anyone else noticed the same person has brought up all these old Autel threads f?

 

[wafrederick]

That entirely depends on the year of the vehicle and how many keys you have. 2017+ requires 2 keys to add another.

So if you have 2 and want a 3rd no problem but if you only have 1 you need to be able to either buy the pin or pull it with a tool.

Can do it with one key too if the keys get lost.First you put the key in for 10 minutes with turning the vehicle on engine off and wait 5 seconds turning it off.Turn it on a second time turning the vehicle on for another 10 minutes and wait 5 seconds after turning it off.Do it a 3rd time and the security light will go out

 

[jeffmoss26]

Has anyone else noticed the same person has brought up all these old Autel threads f?

Sure looks like spam to me! (Them, not you)

 

[WillRead]

Can do it with one key too if the keys get lost.First you put the key in for 10 minutes with turning the vehicle on engine off and wait 5 seconds turning it off.Turn it on a second time turning the vehicle on for another 10 minutes and wait 5 seconds after turning it off.Do it a 3rd time and the security light will go out

I didn't know about that method for late model GM's thanks!

Seems strange they would allow on board programming with no programmed transponder.

Especially with after market tools to remove the cylinder without turning it.