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Locksmith Tips 

Automotive transponder keys

7/8/2017

7 Comments

 
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​Transponder: noun
A device for receiving a radio signal and automatically transmitting a different signal
 
Most autos in today’s world have a transponder chip in the key—from Acuras to Volkswagens—depending on the year, make, and model. It’s hard to tell from key to key, especially the older ones. A locksmith can determine if your key has a transponder in a few ways. First, by looking up the year, make, and model from reference books. Second, some locksmiths have an electronic reader that they can place the key into. Third, most locksmiths can just take a look and know from experience. The proper method, without doubt, is the first mentioned—looking in the reference books. To determine if your key has a transponder, you should consult a locksmith or dealership.
 
Did you know that transponder keys are very sensitive to water, magnets, and age? The transponder is a chip about the size of a pinto bean. Transponder keys come in many forms: remote-headed to flip-keys to proximity keys…they can even look like a normal plastic-headed key. In fact, the plastic-headed key is the most common form of transponder key. It can look like a non-transponder because the chip is molded into the plastic head and a remote for the locks is separate.
*Note: transponder chips are part of a completely separate system on a vehicle than the remote (locking system) which means that they do not share/are not linked together through the vehicle’s computer.
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One last thing: if you only have one key to your vehicle, I would recommend getting copies made right away. With a working chip key, it will save you lots of money to get a copy made compared to losing the only key you have. I know, I’ve made many vehicle keys with and without chips because of lost keys. The cost difference will surprise you beyond belief. Check with your local dealer and locksmith to compare.
7 Comments
Tony
2/16/2018 06:16:46 am

Great service fast and friendly.......I had some transponder keys made and programmed for my car .....didn't take long at all he even had a remote for the doors trunk and alarm.........123 lock & key gives you a lot of quality with fast friendly service at a decent price .......and they will come to you...............great company I have to give them 5 stars.............................

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William Ballew
9/25/2018 07:41:18 am

I VERY highly agree,these guys are GREAT!

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Ryan link
4/16/2019 03:25:05 pm

Great transponder key tips!

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Hazel Owens link
4/30/2019 05:01:21 pm

That's good to know that you should get copies made when you already have a transponder key since having the chip will save you money. This is helpful since my daughter just bought a car and it only came with one key. I'll have to find an automotive locksmith I can go to and get a spare made so it won't cost me a lot if something happens to her key.

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James Borst link
11/7/2019 08:41:23 pm

My wife and I recently got a new car and it has a fancy key remote that we don't have to take out of our pocket to unlock the car. It is really interesting that transponder keys are sensitive to water and magnets. We may keep that in mind so that our car key remote will last longer.

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Jane Wood link
9/11/2020 06:39:27 pm

I like the transponder key also, because of its convenience. There should be a minimum of a 1-year warranty for this key.

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Hania Amir link
11/23/2020 09:30:42 am

What is the battery lifetime of the transponder<a title=" key fob" href="https://www.minutefob.ca/"> key fob</a>?

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