Everything You Didn’t Know You Needed to Know About Transponder Keys

1. What is a Transponder Key?

Remember way back in the old days when car keys looked just like house keys? Those weren’t transponder keys. Cars built after about 1995 come with transponder keys. They contain a miniature electronic chip that emits a signal when exposed to an electromagnetic field. Your car won’t start unless the signal emitted matches the signal the car’s computer requires.

2. How Does a Transponder Key Work?

There’s an induction coil built into the ignition lock on your car that sends out the required electromagnetic pulse to get a response out of the chip when you turn the ignition to “on” with the key. That pulse powers the chip – which is otherwise dormant – to release the signal. The signal either matches what the computer expects to see, or it doesn’t. If it does, the ignition lock releases and the car starts. If it doesn’t, the car won’t start. So in order to drive your car, your key must be correctly cut to turn the ignition lock, and the chip must be correctly coded to emit the proper signal.

3. Can I Get a Spare?

Call an automotive locksmith. Check around until you find one with the technology to properly cut and code a transponder key. A spare transponder can mean the difference in a late night visit from a locksmith. Visit this website for the very best in car locksmith services in El Cajon.