Car Immobiliser Repair
Car immobilisers became a requirement for automakers at the end of the 20th century because hot-wiring cars was becoming more popular among thieves. The immobiliser blocks your car from starting if your key fob chip is damaged or doesn't match.
It is therefore essential to repair your car's key immobiliser as soon as it starts to fail or is damaged. Here are the most common causes of the immobiliser in your car not being able to function:
Dead Batteries
Key fob problems are often caused by batteries that are dead. The battery can degrade from prolonged usage, exposure to harsh environmental conditions, or simply ageing. If a battery fails it will not provide the power required to operate the key fob, and also transmit the signal needed by the immobiliser system. This could stop the vehicle from starting, resulting in the requirement for a professional to perform an repair of the immobiliser system.
Most times replacing the battery is all that is needed to revive a dead battery and get it working again. A good quality coin-style battery can be found at a local hardware shop or at 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. You'll find an opening or notch along the seam that separates the top and bottom halves. Then, insert the tip of an flathead screwdriver or coin into the slot, then move it around the edges. Then, insert the new battery and snap the two halves of the fob shut. Once you've finished your work, you can reuse the old battery at a nearby collection site.
If the new battery fails to fix the problem, there may be an issue with the RFID system within the key fob. Most vehicles that have a push-button ignition design require the fob to be placed close to the ignition barrel to confirm its presence and send the right signal to allow the vehicle to start. If the RFID in the key fob is not able to communicate with the vehicle, you'll need to have a new key or take it to a dealer to repair the immobiliser.
If changing the batteries does not solve the problem it's possible to take the broken key repair fob apart to find any buttons that are not in position or are damaged. Because your key fob is frequently tossed around during use, it's not common for certain buttons to become displaced or stuck in time.
Faulty Transponder Key
A defective transponder key can be an unfortunate incident that could have serious consequences. Contrary to traditional keys made of metal that simply mechanically activate the ignition the transponder key is equipped with an electronic microchip that transmits an individual code to the immobilizer system to verify its identity before permitting it to start the engine. This adds an additional layer of security that greatly reduces the possibility of theft and other forms of vehicular crime. However, just like any other electronic device transponder keys repair are subject to a range of issues which include those that concern the chip's functionality.
Transponder chips are delicate and even a minor physical damage will affect their ability to work. It's vital to inspect your transponder keys to see if there are signs of wear, as these can be the cause of an immobiliser malfunction.
In addition the internal microchip that is in a transponder key is also sensitive to environmental and water conditions, which may hinder its ability to communicate with the immobilizer system of a vehicle. This is why it is important to keep your key fob and key chain away from a variety of contaminants and water as much as possible.
It's important to remember that transponder keys are programmed specifically for a specific vehicle. Making any changes to the sensitive parts could result in compatibility issues that could compromise its function. It's best to avoid any form of modification to a vehicle key, unless you have the proper expertise and equipment to perform the task safely and efficiently.
If you're in the unfortunate position of having an old key that is in need of repair or replacement, an experienced locksmith will be able assist you. They'll be able to duplicate your existing key or create a new one from scratch and they'll be able to program it to work with your specific vehicle's immobilizer system, ensuring that it functions properly. This process is not as easy as copying a car key made of metal. It requires specialized tools to ensure the software is programmed correctly with the proper information.
Receivers or Antennas that are not working properly
The transponder chip inside your car key sends signals that are recognized by the ECU to verify that it is the correct key to start the car. If it's not then the immobiliser will prevent the engine from starting. This is to deter thieves from using stolen or counterfeit keys to gain access to your vehicle's motor.
If the signal is not received by the ECU due to a fault with the antenna or the receiver the car won't start. A professional auto key fob repair locksmith will be in a position to assist you in resolving this issue.
This can result from a variety of factors, including an incompatible antenna or electrical interference. Radio frequency interference could be caused by heavy electrical equipment lighting systems, computers, digital devices cable television systems, and transmitters. It's also possible that the coaxial antenna cable has been damaged or Broken Key repair. This can happen if your pets wander around the house, or if your cable is twisted during installation.
Another reason that the antenna might not be working is that the receiver might be too far from the antenna. You can check this by connecting the receiver to another antenna. If the error message remains it is possible that you require a new antenna or reroute the coaxial cable.
Antennas aren't necessarily bad, but can be twisted, pinched or loose from their connectors, which can cause the RF strength of the signal to decrease. It is also important to determine if there is any equipment between the antenna and the receiver, such as a surge protector or splitter, as this may impact the strength of the signal.
If you choose to use the EEPROM method to program a car key, you'll have to remove specific modules (security components) from your vehicle and then read the "password" from them. This requires a great deal of knowledge, as there is a possibility that the data may be corrupted. A professional auto locksmith can reduce the risk by reading information directly from the module with a specific tool.
Faulty Electronics
Many modern cars have security systems that prevent them from starting the engine if they don't have the remote or key to the car. These systems make use of transponder chips, RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) technology or immobiliser control units to authenticate the key or fob when it's put into the ignition. This can be a great way to reduce vehicle theft however, like all pieces of electronics it can occasionally fail.
If the security light on your dashboard is solid, it indicates that the car immobiliser isn't accepting the signal from the key or fob. This can be caused by various factors, from the battery in the fob's key being depleted to physical damage or wear on the key itself. If you're experiencing this issue follow the instructions of the manufacturer to perform a reset on the system, or contact a professional mechanic for assistance.
When you insert your transponder in your key, the chip transmits an alert to the immobiliser system of the car. The code is examined against the codes that are stored on the computer. If the codes match then the engine will start and the immobiliser will turn off. If the immobiliser is unable to detect the signal that it is looking for, the engine will not turn over and you could be left trapped.
A variety of issues could cause the immobiliser in your vehicle to cease working properly. However, most of them are simple and cheap to fix. A dying or dead keyfob battery is the most frequent cause, and can be identified quickly by a simple diagnostic test. If this doesn't resolve the issue, there may be other issues with your car's electrical system that are impacting the immobiliser's performance. If this is the situation it is recommended that a professional examine your car's electrical system and look for signs it is affected by loose connections or damage.
A car key immobiliser is a way to protect your vehicle against unauthorised access. They are generally safe but they do occasionally fail and require replacement or repair. By knowing the most frequent causes of these issues and knowing what signs to look out for, you will be prepared for the occasional incident.
