Lonsdor K518 Pro Program 2020 Kia Soul 4A Smart Key

 When a customer’s 2020 Kia Soul was left stranded due to a failed aftermarket key fob, we were tasked with programming a new, fully original smart key to get the vehicle back on the road. The process, completed using a Lonsdor K518 Pro programmer and a genuine key, demonstrates a straightforward solution to a common modern car problem.

 

The Initial Challenge: Navigating the Vehicle Menu

The first step was selecting the correct vehicle in the Key K518 Pro’s menu. Although this was an American-market vehicle, the Kia Soul model for the year 2020 was not listed under the “United States” section. To simplify the process, we navigated through the “Europe” section instead.

Within the European models, we found the Kia Soul SK3 and selected the production range that included the 2020 model year (2018-2021). The key type was identified as “4A,” leading us to the option to “Read PIN Code.”

 

The Crucial First Step: Reading the PIN Code

Modern vehicle security systems require a unique PIN code to authorize the programming of new keys. The Key K518 Pro indicated that an internet connection was necessary to retrieve this code from the vehicle’s immobilizer system.

Following the on-screen instructions, we:

Pressed the ignition button.

Confirmed that the hazard lights were flashing, indicating the tool was communicating with the car.

After a short wait, the tool successfully displayed the vehicle’s PIN code (6-digit). It’s a best practice to read the PIN code at the beginning of the process. This allows the programmer to cache the code, preventing interruptions later during the key programming phase.

Programming the New Smart Key

With the PIN code stored in the tool’s memory, we proceeded to the “Program Smart Key” function. The tool displayed a critical warning: all keys that are intended to work with the vehicle must be present and programmed during this session. Any key not included in this process will be permanently erased from the car’s memory and will no longer function.

Since we were programming only one new key, this was not an issue. We confirmed to continue.

The programming sequence involved a series of precise steps guided by the tool:

• Ensuring the ignition was off.
• Opening and closing the driver’s door once.
• The tool, using the cached PIN code, communicated with the immobilizer system without requiring manual code entry.
• When prompted, we pressed the ignition button with the new key.
• Almost instantly, the scanner confirmed: “Key successfully programmed.” We selected “Cancel” when asked to program an additional key, and the process was complete.

Verification and Testing

The final and most satisfying step was testing the newly programmed key. We verified its functionality in several ways:

Ignition: The vehicle started perfectly with the push-button start.

Remote Functions: The lock and unlock buttons on the key fob worked correctly.

General Operation: The vehicle recognized the key without any issues.

In conclusion, what began as a breakdown caused by a faulty aftermarket key was resolved efficiently by programming a genuine smart key. Using a professional tool like the Lonsdor K518 Pro, along with an internet connection for PIN code retrieval, made the process for this 2020 Kia Soul both fast and reliable.