What Is Transponder Key - Pop A Lock Detroit
by Dave Grom -
Almost all new automobile driving on the road today come with some sort of transponder key. Jeep, Toyota, Honda, Chrysler, Subaru, Kia, Lexus and Chevrolet and basically every automaker employs transponder keys and reading this article will help you in understanding more about them.
What is a Transponder Key?
Straight forward, these keys consist an audio and infrared waves transmitter inside of them. A device nearby the ignition switch of the vehicle contain a receiver. The key sends an extremely low-frequency signal to the vehicle that can only be detected when the correct programmed key was inserted to the key-breach.
Why Do Car makers Use Transponder Keys?
They are employed to prevent the car from being hot wired. The vehicle will not turn on if the immobilized computer on the ignition doesn't recognize the signal from the key. If a copied key is inserted without the correct signal, the car will not turn on.
Why does this matter to me?
In the old days, ousting your Acura key was feasible at your dealer, the hardware store or even at Walmart, still this usefulness was convenient not only to you, but to any man or women that procure a key cutting machine could copy a back up set of key to get inside a stray auto and drive away with no permission. Today, back upping Acura transponder key keys need to be done by an accredited dealer-ship or commissioned lock-smith, the key need to be compatible and decoded to the motor vehicle and essentially, duplicating keys turn to be more governed and as a side effect also a lot more overpriced.
How Can I Tell If I Have A Transponder Key?
- Go to this website and search your vehicle year, vehicle producer and model and submit a query for the results.
- In most cases, the plastic head of the key will be thicker than a key without a transponder. One more test is to wrap the plastic part of the key with a few tin foil layers and then attempt to turn on the car. If the engine doesn't turn on, the key contain a chip.
- A second sign that you have a electronic key is if it is expensive. Call your nearest dealer with your vehicle ID number and request for a key replacement cost. If the price is less than $35, it's most likely it is not a transponder key. If the price above $50, it is most likely that a transponder is present!
Note: There are some exceptions, however they are rare.
What Does A Transponder Key Have To Do With Remote Starters?
In it's most conventional form, a remote car starter is “hot wiring” your car in a very controlled and precise way. If the car doesn't recognize the indication from the key, your remote car starter will fail to turn on the car.
How Do You Get Around This?
There are manifold programmers that are available to bypass this obstacle altogether with remote starting. These programmers trick the automotive ECM into believing that the key is in the ignition key-space. It is vital to note that this is only happening during the remote start cycle. This process do not remove the protection that the transponder key furnishes, but simply getting around it during the start cycle.
To summarize
Car lock smiths has been installing remote car starters long before transponder keys were available on any car. Aligned with comprehensive bypass modules manufacturers an automotive locksmith is able to set them up them correctly.