15 Up-And-Coming Car Key Immobiliser Repair Bloggers You Need To Watch
Car Immobiliser Repair
Car immobilisers were a necessity for automakers at the end of the 20th century because hot-wiring cars was becoming increasingly popular among thieves. The immobiliser stops your vehicle from starting if your key fob chip is damaged or does not match.
This is why it's essential to get your car's key immobiliser repair done quickly if it's damaged or broken. Here are some of the most common reasons for your car's immobiliser not working:
Dead Batteries
Key fob problems are typically caused by a dead battery. Batteries can fail due to prolonged use or exposure to harsh environmental conditions, or simply aging. If a battery fails to function, it is unable to transmit the signal required by the immobiliser, and operate the key fob. This could prevent the car from starting, which results in the requirement for a professional to carry out an repair of the immobiliser system.
In the majority of instances, a simple battery replacement will revive a dead one. A good quality coin-style battery is available at your local hardware store or even some general retailers for between $5-10. Once you've purchased a new battery, take the old one from the fob, and carefully open the case. Find an opening or notch along the line that divides the bottom and top halves of the fob. Push the tip of an flathead screwdriver or coin into the slot, and then move it around the edges. Then, insert the new batteries and then snap the two halves together. Once you've finished recycling the old battery at a nearby collection site.
If the new battery does not solve the issue, it could be a problem with the RFID system within the key fob. Most vehicles with an ignition system that uses a push button require that the fob be held up close to the barrel of ignition to confirm its presence and send the right signal to allow the vehicle to start. If the RFID on the key fob does not communicate with the vehicle, you will be required to have a replacement key or go to a dealer to fix the immobiliser.
If changing the batteries doesn't solve the issue it's possible to disassemble the key fob to find any buttons that are out of place or damaged. Since your key fob gets jostled about a lot during use, it's not unusual for some of the buttons to get stuck or misaligned over time.
Key for the Transponder that isn't working
A damaged transponder key is an unfortunate incident that could cause serious damage. In contrast to traditional keys made of metal, that simply mechanically activate the ignition the transponder key is equipped with an electronic microchip which transmits a unique code to the vehicle's immobilizer system, verifying its identity prior to allowing it to start the engine. This provides an additional layer of security, which reduces the possibility of thefts as well as other vehicular crimes. Transponder keys, like any other electronic device, are susceptible to a variety of issues related to the chip's function.
Transponder chips are delicate and even a slight physical damage will affect their capacity to function. This is why it's crucial to regularly inspect the transponder chip for signs of wear and tear, because any damage that occurs could be a direct cause for malfunctioning car immobiliser.
The internal microchip of transponders are also sensitive to moisture and other environmental conditions. This can affect the ability of the key to communicate with an immobilizer system. Therefore, key fob repairs is important to keep the key fob and the keychain as far from water as you can.
It's important to remember that the transponder car key is designed specifically for a particular vehicle. Making any changes to the sensitive parts could cause compatibility issues that could compromise its function. It's best to avoid any kind of modification to a car key as long as you have the skills and equipment to perform the task safely and effectively.
A professional locksmith can help you if your key requires to be replaced or repaired. They will be able to duplicate the key you have already got or design a brand new one from scratch, and they'll be able to program it to match your specific vehicle's immobilizer system, ensuring that it works as intended. This process is not as easy as copying a metal car key. It requires special tools to ensure that the software is programmed with the correct information.
Faulty Antenna or Receiver
The transponder chip in the key of your car transmits a signal to the ECU that allows it to verify whether or not it is the right one to start your vehicle. The immobiliser stops the engine from starting when it's not the right key. This is to stop thieves from using stolen or duplicate keys to access your car's motor.
However, if the signal fails to reach the ECU because of a problem with the antenna or receiver the car won't start. A professional auto locksmith will help you resolve these issues.
This could be due to a number of reasons, including an incompatible antenna or an electrical interference issue. Radio frequency interference (RFI) can be caused by communication equipment and transmitters including cable television systems, computers and digital devices, as well as heavy electrical equipment or lighting systems. The coaxial antenna cable could have been damaged or disconnected. This could happen when pets run around the house, or if the cable gets twisted or damaged during installation.
The receiver could be too far from the antenna. Connect the receiver to a different antenna and check. If the error message remains it is possible that you need to install a better antenna or change the coaxial cable.
Antennas aren't bad, but can be pinched, twisted or loose from their connectors, causing the RF strength of the signal to decrease. Also, you should check if there is any equipment between the antenna and the receiver, for instance a surge protector or splitter, as this may influence the signal strength.
If the EEPROM programming method is used to program a new car key, it requires the removal of specific components from your car (security components) and then reading the "password" and stored information from them. This requires expertise as the data could be damaged. A professional auto locksmith can minimize the chance of this happening by reading data directly from the module using a specific tool.
Faulty Electronics
Many modern cars are fitted with security systems that block the engine from starting if the car's fob or key isn't in the car. These systems make use of transponder chips, RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) technology, or immobiliser control units to authenticate the key or fob after it is put into the ignition. This can be a fantastic method to prevent theft of vehicles however, as with any other piece of electronic equipment, it's possible to be a bit faulty.
If the security light on your dashboard is solid, it indicates that the car immobiliser isn't accepting the signal from the fob or key. This could be due to many different factors including the battery in the fob's battery depleting to physical wear or damage on the key itself. If you're experiencing this problem follow the instructions of the manufacturer to reset the system, or call an expert mechanic to get help.
When you insert your transponder in your key, the chip transmits a signal to the immobiliser system of your car. The code is examined against the codes that are stored on the computer. If the codes coincide then the engine will start and the immobiliser will shut off. If the immobiliser isn't able to detect the signal, it'll stop the engine from turning over and can leave you stranded in a strange location.
There are a myriad of issues that can cause the car's immobiliser to stop functioning properly, but most of them are relatively simple and inexpensive to fix. The most frequent cause is a dying or dead key fob battery which can be identified by a quick diagnostic test. If this does not resolve the issue, it could be due to other issues with the electrical system in your car that are affecting the immobiliser's function. If this is the case, a professional should examine your car's wiring and look for signs of a damaged or loose connection that may be impacting the performance of your vehicle.
A car key immobiliser is an essential safety feature that can help protect your vehicle from theft. They are generally safe however, they may occasionally go wrong and require repair or replacement. By understanding the most common causes of these issues and knowing what signs to look out for, you'll be prepared for the occasional hiccup.