What Is Transponder Key - Pop A Lock Phoenix
by Greg Barton -
Nearly all recent vehicles on the road today equipped with some kind of transponder key. Subaru, Buick, Mazda, Nissan, Chevrolet, Kia, Chrysler and Lexus and nearly every vehicle producer adopts transponder keys and reading this post will help you know more about them.
What is a Transponder Key?
Straight forward, these keys contain an audio and infrared waves transponder chip inside of them. A computer nearby the ignition switch of the vehicle contain a receiver. The chip in the key sends an extremely low level signal to the vehicle that can only be identified when the exact programmed key was inserted to the key crack-hole.
Why Do Car makers Use Transponder Keys?
Chipped keys are used to counter high rates of car theft. The car will not ignite if the device at the ignition doesn't identify the signal from the key. If a duplicated key is inserted without the exact , the car will not ignite.
Why does this matter to me?
In the old days, re-establishing your Acura key was available at your nearest dealership, the hardware store or even at Walmart, nonetheless this convenience was usable not only to the owner, but to any person that got a key cutter could clone an extra set of key to unlock a stray vehicle and drive away stealing it. Presently, outplacement Acura chipped key keys need to be made by an certified lock-smith or sanctioned dealership, the key need to be compiled and compatible to the auto motive and basically, replicating keys develop to be more controlled and as a side effect also a lot more overpriced.
How Can I Tell If I Have A Transponder Key?
- Open this website and select your vehicle model, automaker and year and query for the results.
- In nearly all cases, the plastic head of the key will be thicker than a key without a transponder. One more test is to wrap the plastic beak of the key with several layers of tin foil and then try to ignite the car. If the vehicle doesn't ignite, there is a transponder present.
- A second way to know that you have a transponder key is by it's price. You can call the local dealer with your vehicle identification number and request for a key made cost. If it is less than $35, probably it is not a transponder key. If it is over $50, you can be sure that a transponder is present!
Note: There are few exceptions, but they are rare.
What Does This Have To Do With Remote Car Starters?
In their most simple configuration, a car remote starter is “hot wiring” your car in a very controlled and precise way. If the car doesn't identify the indication from the key, your car remote starter will not be able to ignite the car.
How Do You Get Around This?
There are a lot of systems that are viable to bypass this obstacle altogether with remote start. These systems fool the automotive computer module into thinking that the key is present. It is important to know that this can only happen during the remote start cycle. This method do not distillate the security that the transponder key furnishes, but simply working around it at the starting cycle.
Final words
Automotive locksmiths has been placing remote start devices way before transponder keys were viable on cars. Furnished with high end bypass modules manufacturers a car lock smith is able to install them correctly.