When You're Having Problems With Your Transponder Key, Here's What to Do!

How does a transponder key work?

These days, transponder keys are basically standard for most cars. They make it more difficult for anyone to steal your automobile. Although it’s more expensive than a traditional key, a transponder key is worth the peace of mind you’ll have.

If you’ve used a transponder key - also called a transponder “chip” key - then you know how effortless it is to use than a regular key. These specialized keys are ignition keys that make it much easier to get in and out of your car, because you can unlock the doors without putting the car key in the lock mechanism; you can open the trunk remotely; you can activate and deactivate your car alarm; and, with some transponder keys, you can actually remotely start up your car.

A transponder key has a chip inside, which sends out a distinctive signal to your vehicle’s computer, a unique frequency aligned to your automobile only. When the signal is received, the mechanical part of the key releases the steering lock so you can activate the ignition.

Problems, however, can sometimes come up. Here’s how to get out of a jam when it comes to challenges with your transponder key.

Is your transponder key lost?

Losing your car key is a bigger problem than it used to be. Back in the day, with a conventional key, you could get a spare key duplicated for almost nothing, at any local locksmith company or hardware store, or even at your dealership. But a transponder key is something else. If you’ve permanently misplaced your transponder key, replacing it is expensive. Depending on your car’s make and model, and on the intricacy of the key’s design, the price for replacing your electronic fob will range from rather costly to exceptionally pricey. Some dealerships will reprogram your key fob for free, but most will charge a lot.

Was your transponder key stolen?

When you bought your vehicle, you were given two transponder keys. Of course, you can retrieve your other transponder key from a family member or friend who has your spare copy, which will get you back on the road for now. But bear in mind that since your transponder key is aligned to your vehicle only, a car thief who locates your key could easily steal your car. Therefore, you ought to get a replacement now, and reprogram both of them.

For some cars, the transponder key is an all-in-one unit, which includes the fob. It’s also called a laser-cut key. The shank is slightly thicker, with fewer carved-out grooves. It’s also called a “sidewinder” key, because of the winding-cut feature of the shank. The dealership will probably need to program the laser-cut key’s built-in chip.

A switchblade key is a transponder key with a shank that folds into the fob, which you pop out with the press of a button. A switchblade key has either a laser cut or a basic cut. One advantage of a switchblade key is that you can buy its components separately; yet if you’ve truly lost your key permanently, you’ll need to program both parts.

A smart key really isn’t a key at all - not in the customary sense. It’s simply a fob, which you either insert in the dashboard, or keep in your pocket or purse. You just sit behind the wheel, and just by pressing a button, you start up or turn off the engine. A smart key gives you extraordinary protection because of its rolling security codes. Continuously randomizing the correct code, it prevents a car thief from hacking it with a code grabber. If you’ve got a smart key, your car dealership will be capable of replacing it.