Car Immobiliser Repair
In the late 20th century, automakers began to use car immobilisers due to hot-wiring becoming more popular with thieves. The immobiliser blocks your vehicle from starting if your key fob chip is damaged or doesn't match.
This is why it's essential to get your car's key immobiliser repair completed quickly if it's damaged or broken. Here are some of the common causes for the immobiliser on your car not working:
Dead Batteries
A dead battery is among the most frequently cited reasons for key fob issues. Battery problems are often caused by prolonged use or harsh environmental conditions, or the aging process. If a battery fails, it can no longer transmit the signal required by the immobiliser to operate the key fob. This can prevent your vehicle from starting and may need a professional repair the immobiliser system.
Most times an easy replacement is all you need to revive an old battery and get it working again. A good quality coin-style battery can be purchased at a 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. Look for an opening or notch along the line that divides the top and bottom halves of the fob. Push the tip of a flathead screwdriver or coin into the slot, then move it around the edges. Then, insert the new battery and then snap the two halves of the fob together. Once you are done you can reuse your old battery at a battery collection site near you.
If the new battery doesn't solve the issue, it may be an issue with the RFID technology in the key fob itself. Most vehicles that have the push-button ignition feature require that the fob be positioned close to the ignition barrel in order to verify its presence and send the proper signal for the vehicle to start. If the RFID inside the key fob does not communicate with the vehicle, you will have to get a new key made or take it to a dealership to repair the immobiliser.
If changing car keys repairs The Keylab does not solve the issue it's possible to disassemble the key fob to check for any buttons that are not in position or are damaged. Since your key fob likely is frequently tossed around as you use it, it's not uncommon for some of the buttons to get stuck or misaligned in time.
Key for the Transponder that isn't working
A faulty transponder key is an unfortunate occurrence that can cause serious damage. Contrary to traditional keys made of metal that simply mechanically activate the ignition, a transponder key is equipped with an electronic microchip which transmits an unique code to the immobilizer system, which confirms its identity prior to allowing it to start the engine. This provides an additional layer of security, decreasing the chance of thefts and other crimes committed by vehicles. But, like other electronic device transponder keys are prone to a myriad of issues which include those that concern the functionality of the chip.
Transponder chips are delicate and even a tiny amount of physical damage can severely affect their capacity to function. 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 that is not working properly.
In addition the internal microchip that is in the transponder key is sensitive to water and other environmental conditions, which can also interfere with its ability to communicate with the vehicle's immobilizer system. It is therefore essential to keep the key fob and keychain as far from water as possible.
It's also important to remember that a transponder key is specifically programmed to a particular vehicle, and changing any part that is sensitive can cause compatibility issues that could affect its functionality. It's best to avoid making any changes to a key unless you are equipped with the appropriate knowledge and equipment.
Fortunately, if you have an old key that is in need of repair or replacement, an experienced locksmith will be able to assist you. They'll be able to duplicate your 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, assuring that it operates properly. This process is not like copying a metal car key. It requires special tools to ensure that the software is programmed correctly with the correct information.
Antenna or Receiver that is not working properly
The transponder chip that is in your car key sends an electronic signal that is interpreted by the ECU to verify that it's the right key to start the car. If it's not then the immobiliser will prevent the engine from being started. This is to stop thieves from accessing your car's engine by using a stolen or copied key.
However, if the signal doesn't reach the ECU due to a problem with the receiver or antenna the car won't begin. A professional auto locksmith can help you resolve these issues.
This could be due to a variety of reasons, including an incompatible antenna or an electrical interference problem. Radio frequency interference could be caused by electrical equipment that is heavy, lighting systems computers, digital devices, cable television systems and transmitters. The coaxial antenna cable could have been damaged or cut off. This can happen if your pets run around in the home, or if the cable is twisted during installation.
The receiver may be too far away from the antenna. You can check this by connecting the receiver to another antenna. If the error message persists then you might require a new antenna or reroute your coaxial cable.
Antennas aren't necessarily damaged, but they can get bent or pinched, or they might come loose from the connector, which can cause the RF level to drop. Check if there is anything between the receiver and antenna such as a surge protector, splitter or splitter, which could affect the signal strength.
If you choose to use the EEPROM method to program a car key, you will require the removal of specific modules (security components) from your vehicle and read the "password" from them. This requires a great deal of expertise, since there is a chance that the information can be corrupted. A professional auto locksmith can minimise the risk by reading information directly from the module with an instrument that is specifically designed for this purpose.
Faulty Electronics
Many modern cars are fitted with security systems that prevent the engine from starting if the car fob or key isn't in the car. These systems make use of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) or immobiliser controls to authenticate a fob or a key that is put into the ignition. This is a great way to reduce vehicle theft, but like any piece of electronic equipment, it's possible to be a bit faulty.
If the security light is not flashing across your dashboard, this means that the immobiliser in your car is not receiving the signal from the fob or key. This could be due to a number of different things, from the battery in the fob's key being depleted to physical damage or wear on the key itself. If you're experiencing this problem, follow the manufacturer's directions to reset the system, or seek help from a professional.
When you put the transponder chip inside your key, it sends a code to the immobiliser in the car which is then compared with the codes that are stored in the computer. If the codes are the same, the engine will start and the immobiliser shuts off. If the immobiliser fails to detect the signal it will not turn over and you could be trapped.
There are a myriad of issues that could cause the car's immobiliser to stop functioning correctly, but the majority of them are relatively simple and inexpensive to fix. A dying or dead keyfob battery is the most frequent cause, and is easily identified with a simple diagnostic test. If this doesn't resolve the problem, there could be other issues with your vehicle's electrical system that are affecting the operation of the immobiliser. If this is the situation, a professional must look over the wiring of your car and look for signs of damage or loose connections that may be impacting its performance.
An immobiliser for your car key is a crucial safety feature that can help protect your vehicle from theft. Although these systems are generally quite reliable, they can sometimes go wrong and need repairing or replacing. You can prepare for the odd hiccup by understanding the most common causes and signs.