Everything You Need to Know About Replacing Your Sea-Doo Key

Why do things disappear? From socks that go missing in the dryer to your own wallet. They just walk away, I guess. Your Sea-Doo is no different, things will disappear for no good reason.

You wouldn’t believe the times customers reach out, wondering about getting a new key. The most common question that pops up is, “Can you just copy the key?” Well, let me clear this up – a Sea-Doo key isn’t like your regular keys that you can easily duplicate. You see, the key is not ordinary; it’s a digital one. To get a new key, the whole watercraft needs to cozy up with a dealership’s computer! Unfortunately, there’s no way to mimic or copy an existing key. If you need a new one, the whole watercraft has to make a trip to the shop for key programming.

Now, you’re probably wondering about the cost, whether you need a special key, or if the machine needs a charged-up battery for this magic to happen? Hold on tight because I’m about to answer all those questions and more in the info below! Let’s dive in and demystify the world of watercraft keys and programming!

Why Is Power Sports Security So Important?

I have noticed that when people lose their keys, they often ask why such a thing is needed? Why can’t they have a simple key, or why have any key? Thieves love stealing power sports vehicles, from ATVs to jet skis and everything between. There is a huge market to either sell them to unknown buyers or part them out online.

The great thing about Sea-Doo, or BRP, who also owns Can-Am, is that the wrong key makes the vehicle a dud. You can’t bypass it without the proper computer and software! This makes them less of a target than other brands. It’s a huge pro! I still suggest getting a lock to keep the PWC secured to the dock. Or have a lock for the trailer to lock it down.

The Types Of Sea-Doo Keys

There are two types of keys, and both types can have many different shapes. One key is a simple kill-switch style and the other is a digital.

The digital key came about in 1996 and has changed once, it used to be metal contacts, but now the next gen style uses an RF signal. The digital keys need to be programmed to the watercraft and done with special software and hardware found at the dealership. The kill-switch style is a simple rubber tab, or the newest style is a plastic clip with a magnet. They can be found on models before 1996 and even today on some Sparks. These keys don’t need to be programmed, and you can buy them online.

How The Sea-Doo Digital Keys Work

The digital keys have a chip inside, and that chip has a set of numbers unique to that fob. When a key is programmed to the PWC, that set of numbers is added to a slot in the computer. You have 8 to 16 slots depending on the model and year, so you can have 8 to 16 keys, with 8 being the most common.

The PWC knows to read the key because there is also a magnet in there. This magnet tells the watercraft to shut off if it’s taken away, as the keys also work as the kill-switch in case you fall off. (It’s basically a reed switch, often seen in home security systems, to determine when a window is opened) The key needs to be programmed by special software and hardware that the dealership has. This often done with a laptop, the dealerships will require you to bring the whole PWC to them!!!

They can come to your home at an extra charge. The process is quick, and many dealerships can squeeze you in, especially if you bring the PWC to them.

Can You Bypass a Sea-Doo key?

The honest truth is that you CANNOT bypass the digital key. I know people try, but the stuff that controls the keys is hardwired into the computer. If the PWC doesn’t use a digital key, then any non-digital key will work. The key is a theft deterrent. The PWCs in the crate are not programmed, and no key will work. They needs to be programmed by the dealership computer and the keys added if you want it to run. (The software is called BUDS, it’s what the dealership uses)

You can turn off the DESS (digital encrypted security system) function of the Sea-Doo, but you need the dealership to do it with their software and hardware.

Lost Your Sea-Doo Key? Here’s How To Get A replacement:

You can get a new key by taking your PWC to your local dealership and asking them to program a new key.

If your PWC uses a non-digital-key, you can buy the keys online. An example is the Spark key that is NOT digital (Amazon Link Ad).

Digital keys can also be bought online too, but it’s best to buy it from the dealership or repair shop so you don’t buy the wrong one! With so many styles of digital keys, I’m seeing people buy the wrong keys now. All Sea-Doo’s made after 1996 and are not Sparks, will have a digital-key. Some Sparks do have a digital-key, you can tell it’s a digital-key because it will have a white plate that says “Sea-Doo” like in the image below.

Older models have the style below that are digital:

The digital keys need to be programmed by a dealership or repair shop with the correct software and hardware. You will need to bring the whole unit to the dealership and the battery must be charged. They can NOT duplicate a key, and they can NOT help you if you have the VIN. The whole PWC has to be hooked up to a computer and the keys added.

The Cost to replace and Program A New Sea-Doo Key

Missing keys can easily be replaced or reprogrammed if it gets lost. Things happen and keys get lost. But what is it going to cost you? The key can cost anywhere from $50 to $200 depending on whether it’s a digital key or not, along with its style. The dealership may charge extra for labor to program the key or to do a house call. Here is one dealership’s costs.

What The Multiple Color mean

Why do Sea-Doo keys come in different colors? Below, I listed what each color means.

• Yellow – Normal
• Green – Learning
• White – Old learning color.
• Black – Normal, but used in higher-end models.
• Orange – Rental.

All keys are the same, but labeled different with what they’re meant to do.

Since all keys are the same, you could program the learning keys to be fast, but you must have the dealership do it with their computer. I would do this all the time, I would make a customer’s learning key fast because they would never use the learning mode. They don’t include the learning keys anymore, and only do one key per unit. I find most people would lose the learning key anyway, but you can still get them if you want one.

You can Program Multiple Sea-Doo alike

You can program two PWCs alike, so all keys will start either machine. But you need to let the dealership know to do this, and both units need to be there! I would try to do this for customers who got two or more units from me because it’s not too difficult to do when prepping the units at the same time.

Acquire a Key Without going To The Sea-Doo Dealership?

Do you really need to bring the whole watercraft to the dealership to get the key programmed? Unfortunately, you do, there is no other way. You need special software and hardware to program a digital key. I understand this can be a problem if you don’t live near a dealership.

The good news is that there are other companies that sell programmers. Many 3rd party repair shops tend to use these programmers so they can program them. The CanDooPro is a DIY option. You could also buy the actual BUDS that the dealerships use (Amazon Link Ad) and program your own keys, reset your own maintenance lights and see any fault codes. If your Sea-Doo is made before 2002, you’ll need to use the CanDooPro.

Replacing the Tether?

The tether, or string, that connects the key to you and the Sea-Doo is the first thing to wear out. Over time, it stretches out and can crack, so it begs the question, can you simply replace the tether?

Sadly, you can’t just replace the tether. It’s more of a safety issue than anything else, and Sea-Doo doesn’t just sell the cord. You will need to buy a whole lanyard. If the tether is worn out, your life jackets are probably worn out too, so it’s a good time to replace them.

DESS Post Problems

If you’re having trouble with the engine starting, you put the key on, and it does not come alive, you may think you need to replace the key. Sometimes it’s not the key, but the DESS post it attaches to.

The DESS post reads the key and knows when the key is on and off, so it can shut the engine off if you fall off. The DESS post uses a type of reed switch which detects the magnet in the key to let it know to power everything up and read the key. These reed switches are simple, but can wear out. You’ll know it’s bad when you put a magnet up to the DESS post and the machine doesn’t respond.

The older keys had metal contacts on the lanyard and DESS post itself that would read a ROM chip. Corrosion would cause odd readings and errors. There was even a time when the DESS posts were just a fraction of a millimeter too big and made it hard to put on and read. The modern gen style of keys are vastly better and more reliable, but still use the reed switch, so they can wear out. These reed switches don’t fail a lot, you might have to replace yours once, maybe twice. But it is something to keep in mind if you’re chasing a ghost of problems.

AirTag

If you keep losing your keys, one option is to use an AirTag attached to it. An AirTag works off other iPhones near it to update its location. It’s not a GPS locator, but it’s better than nothing. If you’re within 30 feet of the AirTag, you can use a modern iPhone to locate it within inches. If you’re over 30 feet, its location will be updated when an iPhone comes near it and does it securely. So if you have trouble with losing the keys, getting an AirTag can be a huge help. You will need to get a case so you can attach it to the key.