How transponder keys
work
Nowadays,
transponder
keys are standard for most new cars. They make it harder for your car to be
stolen. Even though it’s more costly than a regular key, a transponder key is worth
the peace of mind it affords you.
Anyone
who has used a transponder key ~ also referred to as a transponder “chip” key ~
knows how much easier it is to use than an old-fashioned key. These specialized
keys are ignition keys that make it effortless to enter and leave your vehicle,
because you can unlock your car doors without actually sticking your key in the
lock mechanism; you can remotely open the trunk; you can activate and deactivate
your car alarm; additionally, with some transponder keys, you can even start
your car remotely.
A
transponder key has a chip inside it, which emits a distinctive signal to your car’s
computer, a singular frequency aligned only to your automobile. When the signal
is received, the key’s mechanical part releases your steering lock so that you
can activate the ignition. Nevertheless, problems can sometimes happen. Here’s
how to get out of trouble when it comes to transponder key challenges.
Was your
transponder key stolen?
When
you first bought your car, you should have been given two transponder keys. You
can get your other transponder key from a family member who has the spare copy,
and that will get you back on the road for now. But keep in mind that because your
transponder key is connected only to your vehicle, a would-be car thief who finds
your key could easily take your car. Thus it’s best to go ahead and get a
replacement now, and then reprogram them both.
To
get a transponder key duplicated, reprogrammed, or replaced, track down an
automotive locksmith specialist, or go directly to your dealership. In most
cases, a locksmith will charge less than the dealership will charge you. If
you’re located in Ahwatukee, Arizona, then take all your questions and concerns
to a reputable locksmith company. For instance, the mobile automotive locksmith
specialists on staff at Ahwatukee
Locksmith AZ offer free consultations and they’re available 24/7.
Have you lost your
transponder key?
Losing
your car key is more problematical than it was decades ago. With a traditional key,
you could duplicate a spare key at almost no cost, at any local hardware store
or locksmith company, or even at the dealership. But a transponder key is something
else altogether. If you’ve mislaid your transponder key permanently, replacing
isn’t going to be cheap. Depending on your automobile model and make, and on the
complexity of the key’s design, the price for replacing your
electronic fob will range from somewhat costly to exceptionally expensive. There
are some dealerships that will reprogram your key fob at no charge, but most
will charge you a great deal.
A
switchblade key is a transponder key
with a shank, but it folds into the fob, which you pop out by pressing a
button. A switchblade key has either a basic cut or a laser cut. One benefit to
a switchblade key is that you can purchase its components separately; but if you’ve
truly lost your key, you’ll have to program both parts.
For
some vehicles, the transponder key is an all-in-one unit that includes the fob.
It’s also called a laser-cut key.
The shank is a bit thicker, with fewer carved-out grooves. It’s also referred
to as a “sidewinder” key, because of the shank’s winding-cut feature. The
dealership will likely need to program a laser-cut key’s built-in chip.
A
smart key actually isn’t a key at
all ~ not in the usual sense. It’s just a fob, which you either insert into the
dashboard, or keep in your purse or pocket. When you sit behind the wheel, then
just by pressing a button, you can start and turn off the engine. A smart key gives
you exceptional protection because it has rolling security codes. Continuously randomizing
the right code, it stops a car thief from hacking it with a code grabber. If
you have a smart key, your car dealership will be able to replace it.
Has your
transponder key stopped working?
·
One
common reason your transponder key isn’t functioning is that there’s a
manufacturer’s defect, which has been there from the beginning. If your vehicle
is under warranty, you’ll be able to get the problem corrected for free. If
it’s no longer under warranty, then you’ll have to hire an automotive
locksmith specialist in Ahwatukee.
·
There
might be a tiny foreign object lodged in the ignition. Don’t try to remove it yourself,
because you could easily do damage to the ignition. Instead, hire an
experienced automotive locksmith professional, who can capably remove any
foreign object from the ignition with the precision required, so you won’t have
to replace the whole switch.
·
Another
possibility is that your transponder key isn’t communicating with automobile’s computer
because the chip has lost its programming. You can get it reprogrammed, or, you
can get an entirely new transponder key with all-new programming. Whatever you choose,
the car dealership or an automotive locksmith technician will be able to handle
it.
Do It Yourself
If
you do need to reprogram your transponder key, with some vehicles, you can take
care of it yourself.
The
following method below will be successful on quite a few American-made cars. But
before you spend any of your hard-earned money, read the owner's manual, ask
your dealership, and/or consult with a local reliable automotive locksmith to see
whether this procedure will actually work on yours.
1. Insert one of your two functioning keys. Turn
the ignition to the "on" position for about 3 seconds (without firing
up the car).
2. Do the same with the second key.
3. Insert the new third key, and turn it to
the "on" position for 3 seconds. This ought to program your extra key
successfully.
If
you often lock your car keys in your vehicle, another thing you can do ~ which will
at least give you access to your car doors and to your trunk ~ is to order just
the basic key, without the transmitter, which means you’ll have a key which
does everything except start your car.
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