Car Immobiliser Repair
In the latter part of the 20th century, automakers began to use car immobilisers due to hot-wiring becoming more popular with thieves. The immobiliser stops your vehicle from starting if your key fob chip is damaged or does not match.
This means that it is essential to get your car's immobiliser repaired quickly if it's damaged or broken. Here are a few common causes for your car's immobiliser not working:
Dead Batteries
Key fob problems are typically caused by batteries that are dead. A battery can go bad due to long-term use or exposure to harsh environmental conditions, or simply ageing. When a battery is damaged and is no longer able to supply the power needed to control the key fob, and also transmit the signal needed by the immobiliser system. This could prevent the car from starting, which results in the requirement for a professional technician to complete an repair to the immobiliser system.
Most times replacing the battery is all you need to revive a dead battery and make it functional again. You can purchase a good quality coin-styled battery at your local hardware store, or even from general retailers for around $5-10. After purchasing the new battery, carefully take the old one off and then open the case. Find an opening or notch along the edge that separates the bottom and top halves of the fob. Use the screwdriver, either flathead or coin, into the slot and work it around the edges to open the fob. Then, insert the new battery and snap the two halves of the fob together. Once you've finished recycling 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 inside the key fob. Most vehicles with the push-button ignition feature require the fob to be held up close to the barrel of ignition to verify its presence and send the right signal to allow the vehicle to start. If the RFID inside your key fob isn't able to connect with the vehicle, you'll have to have the key made specifically for your vehicle, or take it to a dealer to have an immobiliser repaired.
If changing the battery doesn't resolve the problem It's worth disassembling the key fob and examining any buttons that appear to be off-center or damaged. Since your key fob likely is constantly tossed around during use, it's not unusual for some of the 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. In contrast to traditional keys made of metal, which merely mechanically engage the ignition keys, transponder keys are equipped with an electronic microchip which transmits an individual code to the vehicle's 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. Transponder keys, as with any electronic device, are susceptible to various problems that are related to the chip's function.
Transponder chips are extremely delicate and even a tiny amount of physical damage could significantly impact their ability to function. It's vital to inspect your transponder keys for signs that indicate wear, as they could be the cause of an immobiliser malfunction.
Additionally the internal microchip inside a transponder key is also sensitive to environmental and water conditions, which can also affect its ability to communicate correctly with a vehicle's immobilizer system. It is therefore essential to keep the key fob as far from water as possible.
It's also important to remember that a transponder is specifically programmed to a particular vehicle, and modifying any part that is sensitive can result in compatibility issues that can affect its function. As a result, it's recommended to avoid any type of modification to a vehicle key, unless you have the proper knowledge and equipment to do so safely and efficiently.
A professional locksmith can help you when your key needs to be repaired or replaced. They can duplicate your key or create a brand new one, and program it to match the immobilizer system in your vehicle, ensuring it works in a proper manner. This process isn't as simple as copying a regular car key made of metal, and it requires the use of specialized tools to ensure that the proper information is entered into the software.
Faulty Receiver or Antenna
The transponder chip inside your car key transmits a signal to the ECU that lets it determine whether or not it is the right one to start the vehicle. If it isn't, the immobiliser system will stop the engine from starting. This is a way to prevent thieves from using stolen or cloned keys to gain access to your vehicle's motor.
If the signal fails to get to the ECU because of a problem with the receiver or antenna the car won't start. A professional auto locksmith can help you resolve these issues.
It could be due to a number of reasons, including an incompatible antenna or an electrical interference problem. Radio frequency interference (RFI) can be caused by transmitters and communications equipment such as computer systems, cable television systems and digital devices, large electrical equipment or lighting systems. The coaxial antenna cable might have been damaged or disconnected. This can happen if your pets run around in the home, or if the cable is bent during installation.
The receiver might be too far from the antenna. You can check this by connecting the receiver to a different antenna. If the error message is still present then you may need to replace the antenna or redirect the coaxial cable.
Antennas aren't necessarily bad, but they can be twisted, pinched or loose from their connectors, causing the RF level of the signal to drop. Check if there is key fob repairs between the antenna and the receiver such as a surge protector, splitter or splitter, that could affect the signal strength.
If you are using the EEPROM method to program a car key, you'll 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 can minimize the risk by reading information directly from the module an instrument that is specifically designed for this purpose.
Faulty Electronics
A lot of modern vehicles have security systems that block them from starting the engine in the event that they don't have a car key or remote. These systems make use of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) or immobiliser controls to authenticate a key or fob that is put into the ignition. This can be a fantastic method to prevent theft of vehicles, but like any piece of electronics it can occasionally fail.
If the security light on your dashboard is solid, that means the car immobiliser isn't receiving the signal from the fob or key. This can be caused by various factors, from the battery in the fob's key being depleted to physical wear or damage on the key itself. If you're experiencing this issue follow the instructions of the manufacturer to perform a reset on the system, or call an expert mechanic to get help.
When you insert your transponder in your key, the chip sends an alert to the immobiliser system in the car. This code is then compared against the codes stored on the computer. If the codes coincide the engine will begin and the immobiliser will shut off. If the immobiliser isn't able to detect the signal, it will prevent the engine from turning over and could leave you stuck in a secluded area.
There are a myriad of issues that can cause the immobiliser in your car to stop working properly, but most of them are relatively easy and inexpensive to address. The most frequent cause is a dying or dead key fob battery, which can be quickly diagnosed with 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 operation of the immobiliser. If this is the situation it is recommended that a professional examine the electrical system of your car and look for signs it is affected by loose connections or damage.
A car key immobiliser helps to secure your vehicle from unauthorised access. They are generally safe however, they may occasionally fail and need to be replaced or repaired. If you are aware of the most common reasons for these issues and knowing what signs to be looking for, you will be prepared for the occasional glitch.