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Transponder keys were an exciting innovation in vehicle security when they were developed in the mid-1990s and are still a feature of many vehicles on the road today. Transponder keys represent an ideal blend of antitheft security and convenience for vehicle owners. However, as these systems see more wear and tear, they are more likely to need attention from a professional. You don’t have to turn to the dealership in most cases when you need transponder key services. Instead, you can rely on the services of a local locksmith team in Atlanta when you need your transponder key problems diagnosed and treated.
Simply put, a transponder key is a type of vehicle key that has an electronic microchip embedded in the fob (head). When you insert the transponder key into the ignition, the microchip sends a signal via radio frequency to your car’s ignition system that contains a unique code. Most keys that have transponder chips can be identified by their plastic key fob. This code must match the one sent by the ignition system itself. If the code matches, then the engine’s immobilizer will disengage, allowing the engine to fire up. If the code doesn’t match, this chain of events won’t occur.
Transponder keys are extremely popular to vehicle manufacturers because they not only increase the security of the vehicle in question, but the convenience of accessing and running it, too. In recent years, transponder key technology has been phased out in favor of remote keyless entry technology, but many vehicles on the road still use transponder keys. As these vehicles begin to wear down as the years progress, more locksmiths are seeing an increase in requests for transponder key replacements.
As with any technological advancement, there are potential issues that can develop, especially the longer you’ve used your transponder key. These problems can range in severity, with the worst preventing you from using your vehicle at all. If you suspect an issue with your transponder key, a licensed professional locksmith can assist you in determining the cause.
While you may think that your chip is impossible to damage due to its protective plastic housing, accidents can and do occur. If you drop your key from a significant height or accidentally smash your key, your transponder chip can become damaged. If this occurs, your entire transponder key will need to be replaced in most cases and the new key programmed to match your vehicle’s operating code.
The coding for the transponder chip is programmed electronically, and operates using radio frequency. Occasionally, radio wave interference can scramble a transponder chip’s programming. This is more common in busy areas with lots of radio signals being sent and received at the same time. When this occurs, the transponder chip will require being reprogrammed by a professional in order to match the coding of your vehicle. The chip is usually wiped so that there’s a clean slate to work from and then the proper code is reprogrammed onto the chip.
Sometimes, even though there’s no outward sign of damage, your transponder key might stop working for no apparent reason. When you investigate the key, the key fob is intact with no sign of damage or injury and the teeth are not worn or bent. What could be the issue? Is there a problem with your engine? If you’ve ruled out more serious engine troubles, you may narrow down the problem to your transponder key. There are a few things you can check if you suspect that your key is behind the issue. Your transponder key’s chip operates using a small battery. A locksmith can replace this battery for a low cost. If it turns out that the battery is not an issue, it may be possible that the chip was short-circuited and burned out. In this case, the entire key may need to be replaced.
While this issue can befall any type of key, it’s more worrisome when you lose or suffer theft of your transponder key. That’s because a transponder key is not as easy to duplicate as a plain automotive key, due to the specialized programming of the chip inside the fob. If you’re experiencing a similar situation, you will have to track down a locksmith company that’s capable of duplicating your transponder key. A locksmith is the best option because they will provide you with faster and more affordable key duplication than the dealership, as well as coming to your location in most cases.
If your transponder key is lost, broken, malfunctioning, or has been stolen, contact a locksmith company. A qualified locksmith company should have the tools to both duplicate and program your new transponder key. A locksmith will be able to duplicate most types of transponder keys, as long as they are not “locked” by the dealership that sold you the car. When you give a call to your local locksmith for more information, they’ll be able to tell you whether or not it’s possible to duplicate your transponder key.
It’s a good idea not to try to solve a transponder key problem on your own, as that will usually only lead to frustration. Without the proper machinery and knowledge to duplicate a transponder key and program the chip, there’s not much you can do. Even if you can locate so-called replacement transponder keys for sale online, most companies won’t program the chips of these keys, and often they are “locked” from being reprogrammed anyway. In addition, since transponder keys are so sensitive to interference, you may make a simple problem worse.
Instead, call a professional locksmith for assistance. That’s the best course of action to guarantee the results that you’re looking for.
