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If you are having transponder key problems, read this post carefully and they can soon be over! We always hear that “it’s who you know” that’s important, but when it comes to transponder keys, it’s “what you know” that can save you money and lots of headaches. Apache Junction Locksmith AZ offers these tips to our blog readers so look them over, and put them to use, if needed!
Are you driving a late model car dated around 1995 or after? If so, you are most likely using a transponder chip key to open your car or start your engine. These keys look like traditional keys with a metal blade with grooves and chips cut into it to place in the lock and a larger, rounded head for holding the key and turning it. What’s different is that it’s a “smart key” due to it having a programmable chip embedded in the key’s head. This chip communicates with the computer in your car’s engine by sending a signal when you turn the ignition on. If the signal matches, your car will start! If not, forget it. This is why transponder keys are such good theft deterrents; you can’t just have them copied at your local convenience store and use it to drive off with someone else’s car. They are difficult to program and duplicate and unless the electronic signal matches, your car is staying put!
Transponder keys are not perfect, but they are quite beneficial. In fact, since they have been introduced into the automotive market, they have been instrumental in decreasing auto theft by quite a margin. They can however, have their problems. For instance, they can break, become lost or stolen and are quite expensive to program and duplicate. Sometimes, the chip can literally fall out of the key and while the key still works to open the car door or trunk, it can’t start the engine with no signal to transmit to the car’s computer.
It’s a fact that people use keys for many things that they probably shouldn’t! Transponder car keys have been used to open boxes, soft drink cans, heavy packages, bottled drinks and lots more. These keys are used to cut cords, ribbons, string, plastic binders and even to pry open metal items like boxes, trunks and lids. Naturally the transponder key can break, become damaged or even snap in two.
People become distracted all too often. Watch shoppers in the grocery store; they leave their carts momentarily with purses wide open to go get something at the end of the aisle. Kids can drop keys in lakes and drains. Dogs can dig holes and bury them. We lose keys behind couch cushions, at crowded sports events and even at the theater where they fall out of coats or pants pockets while we fidget with our popcorn. Sometimes keys are taken right off of desks or lockers while no one looks. Hotel lost and found departments are always populated with an assortment of keys that patrons left in the room or in a coat pocket in the closet.
It’s so easy to drop your keys. What can it hurt; they are made of metal, right? It’s easy to multi-task and attempt too many errands at once. If you drop your keys, the transponder chip can fall out of the head. Unless you are specifically looking for it, it’s easy to simply bend over, pick up your keys and walk off leaving the fallen out chip still lying on the pavement. They key part should still work but without the transponder chip, your car won’t start.
Sometimes transponder keys become stuck in the ignition. Whatever you do; don’t force it out! You can complicate the situation by breaking the key and then you have additional costs and problems. The first thing to remember is to stay calm and not panic. Try jiggling the steering wheel back and forth and see if this releases it. Also, be double sure to check and see if you are in the PARK gear. Your transmission and ignition systems have a built in safety precaution so that you can’t accidentally remove your key at the wrong time (like while driving!). If you are not in PARK, your transponder key will not be released so before you call for help; check your gears!
Did your transponder key open the driver’s side door but did NOT start the engine? The problem may be your battery. Low batteries can lack the power to send a proper signal from your key to your car’s engine. To see if this is the case, turn on your radio, headlights or windshield wipers. If they work, it’s not your battery. If they don’t, your transponder key is fine but your battery will need a boost or replacement depending on the wear.
There are many places here in Apache Junction, AZ where you can get your transponder key copied, programmed or duplicated. Be choosy and you can save lots of time and cash! Apache Junction Locksmith AZ recommends that you call either our shop or a similar licensed, bonded and insured lock and key company. Local auto mechanics and car dealers can help with transponder key problems but they can be quite costly to deal with. To begin with, your car will need to be towed to them since the ignition is not working. Then, these places call their own locksmith to do the service and then add his bill to theirs! Add to that long waits, overbooked appointments and other hassles and you can see why locals are much better off calling an established automotive locksmith in Apache Junction!
It’s always wise to think ahead and be ready for any transponder key or other automotive locksmith problem. You can do this by adding the phone number to a trusted or experienced locksmith shop to all of your smart phones in the house so that you don’t waste valuable time or nerves trying to find one when it’s really needed!
