Transponder keys have changed the way vehicle
security is maintained. Since the mid-1990s, transponder keys have been a
requirement for all vehicle makers to outfit on their vehicle. Most vehicles
you will see on the road today use transponder keys and for many good reasons.
Transponder keys help eliminate vehicle thefts and guarantees that the rightful
owner of a given vehicle is the only one who is able to operate it.
How a Transponder Key Works
Transponder
keys operate through the use of two different signals. One signal
sits inside of your car key, while the other is tucked inside your vehicle.
These two signals match up to one another through radio waves. They are paired
to recognize each other once the key is within a certain distance of the signal
within the car. In order for one’s vehicle to start, this transponder signal
must be free of interference and pair up perfectly. Without a perfect pairing,
one’s vehicle will not start.
Each vehicle that has a transponder key system is
outfitted with a signal that is completely unique to that car. It is impossible
for one’s transponder key to operate another vehicle, even if it is of the same
make and model type. In fact, this is the very problem that transponder keys
helped to eliminate. Prior to their invention, some vehicle keys could be used
to unlock and drive other vehicles of the same kind. This error resulted in
accidental thefts by innocent drivers that were somehow able to open and
operate someone else’s vehicle, but also intention thefts and car-jackings.
With a transponder key system in place in one’s vehicle, this makes it
impossible to hotwire and steal. Unless one has the right key and the right
transponder signal in place, the vehicle will not start under any
circumstances.
Broken Key
The first possible problem that can happen with
your transponder key, is that the chip inside of the key itself is broken or
out of place. When this happens, you may be unable to start your vehicle, even
though it may not appear on the outside as though anything is physically wrong
with your key. If for some reason the chip inside the key is not able to
transmit the transponder signal to the matching component in your vehicle, then
you will not be able to start or drive your car.
Broken Vehicle Signal
It is also possible that the transponder signal
inside your vehicle is broken. Even if there is nothing wrong with the
transponder key itself, there may be an issue inside of the vehicle that has
caused the vehicle component to be knocked out of place or damaged in some way.
It is not advised that you try and reach the transponder chip inside of your
car, as it is meant to be tucked away and difficult to reach. If you suspect
that the transponder signal inside of your car may be to blame, you will need
to contact an expert to help you repair it.
Lost Transponder Key
If you happen to lose your transponder key
altogether, you will need to get it replaced immediately. Any sort of spare key
you may have for your vehicle that is not outfitted with a transponder key will
be of no use to you. Sometimes, vehicles will come with an extra car key that
can be used to unlock the glovebox and the trunk of the vehicle, but is
actually useless when it comes to turning on and operating the car. Without an
extra transponder key to match your vehicle, you will be out of luck. A
certified locksmith, however, can help you repair or replace your transponder
key easily if you need to have a new one made fast.
Getting a New Transponder Key
It may be difficult to know for sure what the
problem is with your transponder key. In fact, it may be impossible to tell if
the source of the problem is coming from the key or from the vehicle’s
transponder signal. No matter what you think the root of the problem may be, it
is important to get help from an expert that has experiencing replacing
transponder keys.
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