Transponder Keys, Problems

One of the best innovations in modern automotive technology is the transponder chip key. This small piece of auto lock hardware affords drivers security as well as convenience. There are pros and cons to having and using transponder keys and once you’ve read this blog piece you’ll know more about them than most drivers on the road today. Welby Locksmith wants you to be prepared for any problem that may arise with your car’s transponder keys. Doing so will give you peace of mind as well as great potential for money and time savings.

Transponder keys transmit

That’s what the word “transponder” means; to transmit. Your basic transponder key consists of three parts; the blade, the head, and the computer chip embedded in the head. When you insert the key into your ignition switch and turn it, the key gives off a signal that transmits to the car’s engine. The computer in your car reads that signal and if it is recognized, your car engine turns over and your vehicle starts. Using the wrong transponder key will not start your car as the computer chip is NOT recognized or transmitted.

Next to impossible to copy

One aspect of transponder keys is that they are so hard to duplicate. You simply can’t borrow someone’s key and go to your local mail center or home improvement store and have a copy made. It’s not a regular key; remember? Not only must the computer chip be programmed to match your car’s engine, but only authorized car dealers and some full service locksmith shops can have the access codes and duplication parameters needed to do it correctly. This has both pros and cons. On the positive side, it makes car theft and key duplication next to impossible. On the other hand, it makes getting a key duplicate or a new key programmed quite expensive and time consuming.

Other issues

Okay, so far we know that transponder keys can be expensive and difficult to duplicate, but what else? They can be lost, stolen, damaged or even broken off. Their chips can even fall out of them if handled roughly or dropped. Let’s look at these issues, one by one.

Lost chips

People often assume that keys are indestructible. They toss them on the table, floor, or other hard surface like kitchen counters without as much as a second thought. They are made of metal and are therefore hard to break; at least that is what the line of reasoning is. Not so. Transponder keys can lose their embedded chip if they are banged around or dropped hard enough. Many folks have no idea that a chip is even in their key’s head so if they drop their keys, they simply bend over, pick them up, and go on their merry way. The key without the chip still works as far as opening the car door or trunk, but when they turn the key in the ignition, they are in for a big surprise; no chip; no engine start! Going back to find the missing chip is next to impossible as it is small and usually hard to spot. If the drop happened in a paved parking lot, the key was most likely picked up rapidly with the main goal to get out of the way of traffic and back to the safety of the car.

Stolen keys

Since you can’t copy transponder keys; at least not very easily; they are susceptible to theft. Unless the owner keeps careful track of his or her keys and puts them in the same designated place each time, it is easy to misplace them or lose them to a thief. One brief moment of not paying attention can result in someone helping themselves to your key ring that can include your house key and/or your car’s transponder key.

Stuck keys

Keys can become stuck in the ignition any number of ways. Sometimes, a household contains more than one driver. It’s easy to pick up the wrong transponder key by mistake and insert it into the ignition switch. Often, these keys go in but then they don’t start the car or even come back out. Sometimes, transponder keys become stuck in the ignition switch and getting them back out can be a challenge. If the key breaks, not only does the driver incur key extraction charges but they still need to pay for a new transponder key to be both duplicated and programmed. Another reason keys become stuck is because they are slightly worn or damaged due to rough handling and non-key use. Keys can be used to rip open boxes, slash tape, pop open bottles, and even puncture hard surfaces! Transponder keys are not Boy Scout tools and should never be used for multi-purpose functions. Doing so can damage the key to the point where it may still work but it just might become stuck in the lock.

So what can you do?

Our prescribed solution works here in Welby, CO and anywhere else that transponder keys are used. If you’ve lost your transponder key or found that it is missing, you’ll need it replaced. We recommend that you bypass the traditional route of going through your car dealership for this and here’s why. Typically, this service is time consuming and quite costly. You even have tow fees to pay for since your car’s computer will need to match the new chip in your key and you can’t start the car without a key, remember? A full service automotive locksmith will be able to do the same key replacement at a much lesser price, on your time frame and on your premises! No long service waits and no big bills or tow fees! We also recommend that you order a spare key made and that you put this key away for safekeeping in case of need, later. Also, if your key becomes stuck in the ignition, apply the parking brake, and wiggle the key back and forth along with the steering wheel. You might also tap on it with a flat surface as this sometimes helps. You must be in the PARK gear, but the stuck key will usually come back out after this.