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Transponder Keys and Common Problems with Them
For many years would-be car thieves were more than able to keep up with vehicle anti-theft measures and locks. Car alarms helped but they were a passive anti-theft device that did not act as a big enough deterrent to discourage car theft. As car thefts continued to rise, automakers and lock experts knew they had to get together to stem this pattern. Out of that the transponder key anti-theft system was born. It has made it a lot more difficult for would-be car thieves to get the job done. In this article I will talk about these nifty anti-theft car keys and some common problems that people have with them.
What Is a Transponder Key?
You may use a transponder key every day without knowing it. They are the keys to your car that have a black plastic or black rubber end in most cases. That black rubber or plastic end will also have several pushbuttons embedded into it. Transponder keys also have a cut end just like most regular auto keys do too. So, what makes transponder keys so special and a good vehicle antitheft device? Well, to start with they act as a transmitter and have a security coded chip placed inside them. Unless the security coded chip and transmitter radio frequency of a transponder key is able to sink up with a host vehicle, the transponder key buttons will not work and the car will not start when the key is placed in the ignition.
What is Some Transponder Key Functions?
These are few of the functions that transponder keys can perform:
- The chip embedded into them works in coordination with your vehicle anti-theft device to allow your automobile to start
- These sophisticated keys have buttons on them that when pressed will do such things as lock and unlock your car doors from a distance
- Transponder keys can also remotely activate or disarm your car’s alarm system
- Most transponder keys have a button that when pressed will pop open the trunk without having to insert a key into the trunk lock
- One unique transponder key feature is that they have a panic button in them which will beep the horn and flash the car lights. This alerts those that are nearby that you are facing a threat or other emergency situation.
Common Transponder Key Problems
As you can see there is a lot that goes on with these small but sophisticated automobile keys. That means you may experience some problems with one from time to time. Here are some of the most frequent transponder key problems that people have:
Like any type of car keys, people can and do lose them or misplace them from time to time. Unfortunately, when that happens you are going to be left stranded unless you have a spare transponder key on you or you call someone for assistance.
Don’t believe everything you hear about transponder keys being so sophisticated you cannot get new ones made. That is just a wife’s tale. Although these keys are not as simple to make as regular keys, it certainly can be done. It just takes special equipment and know-how to do it.
- Your transponder key fails to communicate with the host vehicle
There may come a time when you insert your transponder key into your car’s ignition and when you turn it your car fails to start. This is a big problem obviously because you can’t go anywhere. Although this can be caused by a faulty vehicle antitheft device, if it’s related to your transponder key chip it means your transponder key is no longer communicating properly with your vehicle.
When this happens, you will either need to get a new transponder key made or simply reprogramming your transponder key might resolve the problem also.
- Dead battery
Each transponder key has a small battery inside it that allows it to transmit a frequency to your car. This battery is similar to those found in a watch. Like any battery, they can run out of charge or simply fail.
This is a transponder key problem that is not as bad as it sounds. That’s because even though your transponder key buttons will not work remotely anymore, you will still be able to open your car with the keyed end and still be able to start your car too. So, this is one transponder key problem that won’t usually leave you stranded.
- Unresponsive buttons/Damaged transponder key
Transponder keys get a lot of use and abuse over time. They go in and out of your ignition several times a day and rub up against other objects when placed in your pocket or purse. This means that they can get physically damaged at times. If you see such things with your transponder key as buttons that no longer spring back up after being pushed or cracks in the black plastic end, there is a good chance your transponder key will not work right and it will need to be repaired or replaced.
Locksmith Are Experts at Handling Transponder Key Problems
So, what is your best course of action when you have any type of transponder key problem? My advice to you would be to call a professional locksmith service. More specifically a locksmith company that specializes in automobile locksmith work. A locksmith like this should have everything they need right in their service vehicle that will enable them to make you a new transponder key. They will even come to your car’s location to do it.
Resolving a transponder key problem does not get any simpler than that. Another really nice thing about most locksmith services is that they offer emergency locksmith services too.
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Main Street Locksmith, LLC is proud to provide services for those looking for automotive, residential, emergency and commercial solutions in Alpharetta.