Car Immobiliser Repair
Car immobilisers became a necessity for automakers in the latter part of the 20th century as hot-wiring vehicles became increasingly popular with thieves. The immobiliser blocks the engine of your car from running in the event that the chip inside your key fob is damaged or doesn't match.
It is therefore essential to repair your car key immobiliser when it becomes faulty or damaged. Here are a few common causes for the immobiliser of your car not working:
Dead Batteries
Key fob issues are usually caused by the battery being dead. Battery problems are often caused by prolonged use and harsh environmental conditions as well as getting older. When a battery is damaged, it will no longer supply the power needed to control the key fob, and also transmit the signal required by the immobiliser system. This could prevent the car from starting, which results in the need for a professional to perform an repair to the immobiliser system.
In the majority of cases, a simple battery replacement will revive an old one. A high-quality coin-style battery is available at a local hardware shop or even some general retailers for between $5-10. After you've bought a new battery, take the old one from the fob and carefully open the case. Look for slots or notch on the edge that separates the top and bottom halves of the fob. Push the end of an screwdriver with a flathead or coin into the slot and work around the edges to open the fob. Then, insert the new batteries and then snap the two halves together. Once you've finished, you can recycle the old battery at a nearby battery collection site.
If the new battery fails to fix the problem, there could be a problem with the RFID system within the key fob. In most vehicles that feature ignition that is push-button, the fob must be placed close to the ignition barrel to verify its presence. If the RFID in the key fob is not able to communicate with the vehicle, you will have to get a new key or go to a dealer to fix the immobiliser.
If changing the batteries doesn't solve the problem You may need to remove the key fob to check for any buttons that are not in place or broken. It's common that buttons become out of alignment over time, because your key fob is likely to be tossed around frequently.
key fob repair TheKeyLab for transponder not working
A defective transponder key can be an unfortunate event that could cause serious damage. Unlike traditional metal keys, that simply mechanically activate the ignition keys, transponder keys are equipped with an electronic microchip which transmits a unique code to the vehicle's immobilizer system to verify its identity before permitting it to start the engine. This provides an additional layer of security, which reduces the chance of thefts and other vehicle-related crimes. Transponder keys, as with any electronic device, are prone to various issues related to the chip's function.
Transponder chips are fragile and even a tiny amount of physical damage can severely affect their capacity to function. This is why it's important to regularly check your transponder key for signs of wear and tear, because any damage that occurs could be a direct cause for a malfunctioning car immobiliser.
In addition the internal microchip inside a transponder key is also sensitive to water and other environmental conditions, which can also affect its ability to communicate correctly with a vehicle's immobilizer system. Therefore, it is important to keep your key fob and key chain away from any water or other contaminants as much as you can.
It's also important to remember that a transponder key has been specifically programmed to a specific vehicle, and modifying any of the parts that are sensitive could cause issues with compatibility that could impact its functionality. It is recommended to not make any modifications to a key unless you are equipped with the right expertise and equipment.
A professional locksmith can assist you if your key requires to be repaired or replaced. They can duplicate your key or design new keys, and program it to match the immobilizer mechanism of your vehicle, ensuring that it is working properly. This process isn't as easy as copying a metal car key. It requires specialized tools to ensure the software is programmed correctly with the proper information.
A faulty Receiver or Antenna
The transponder chip inside your car key sends signals that are recognized by the ECU to confirm that it is the correct key that can start the vehicle. If it isn't the correct key, the immobiliser system will stop the engine from starting. This is to stop thieves from using stolen or cloned keys to gain access to your vehicle's motor.
However, if the signal fails to reach the ECU due to a problem with the receiver or antenna the car won't begin. A professional auto locksmith will be in a position to assist you in resolving this problem.
This can be due to a variety of reasons, including an incompatible antenna or electrical interference. Radio frequency interference can be caused by heavy electrical equipment, lighting systems computers, computers, digital devices cable television systems, and transmitters. It is also possible that the coaxial antenna cable has become disconnected or damaged. This could happen if your pets run around in the house, or if the cable is 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 continues then you might require an additional antenna or reroute your coaxial cable.
Antennas do not really fail however they could be twisted or pinched or loose from the connector, which can cause the RF level to decrease. You should also check whether there is any equipment installed between the antenna and the receiver, like a surge protector or splitter because this could impact the strength of the signal.
If you are using the EEPROM method to program a car key, you will require the removal of specific modules (security components) from your vehicle and then read the "password" from them. This requires great expertise as the data could be damaged. A professional auto locksmith has a deep knowledge of the circuit board and can reduce the chance of this happening by reading the data directly from the module with a specific tool.
Faulty Electronics
Many modern vehicles are equipped with security systems that stop the engine from beginning if the car's ignition fob or key isn't in the car. These systems make use of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) or immobiliser controls to authenticate a key or fob that is inserted into the ignition. It's an effective method to decrease vehicle crime, but it can also go wrong.
If the security light is solid on your dashboard, this indicates that the immobiliser in your car isn't receiving the signal from the fob or key. This can be due to a variety of factors, such as a battery that is depleted on the keyfob, or physical damage to the key. If you're experiencing this problem, follow the manufacturer's instructions to perform a reset of the system, or call an expert mechanic to get help.
When you insert your transponder into your key, the chip sends an immobiliser system in the car. This code is then compared against the codes stored on the computer. If the codes are the same the engine will start and the immobiliser shuts off. If the immobiliser doesn't detect the signal, it'll stop the engine from turning over and may leave you stranded in a strange location.
There are a myriad of issues that could cause your car's immobiliser to cease working correctly, but the majority of them are easy and inexpensive to address. The most frequent cause is a dead or dying key fob battery which can be identified with a quick diagnostic test. If this doesn't resolve the problem, there could be other issues in your car's electrical system that could be affecting the immobiliser's performance. If this is the case an expert can look into the electrical system of your car and look for indications that it may be affected by damaged connections or loose connections.
A car key immobiliser can help to protect your vehicle against access that is not authorized. They are generally safe, but they can occasionally go wrong and require replacement or repair. You can prepare yourself for the occasional issue by knowing the most frequent symptoms and causes.