Does this situation sound familiar? You walk up to your car, open the
door, turn the key and your vehicle doesn’t start. You try to start the
car again, but it still doesn’t start. Has this ever happened to you?
If you own a transponder key, it may sound like a very familiar
situation. You thought all was well with your key but it was unable to
start the car.
This is just one of the many problems that you may face with your
transponder key. At A1 Elmwood Park Locksmith in Elmwood Park, IL we
deal with all issues that you may face with a transponder key. Once you
have a problem, come pay us a visit or give us a call. We are always
available to assist you. Not in the area? Most locksmiths will deal with
this sort of issue!
Regular Keys vs Transponder Keys
When you were shopping around for a vehicle, you may have heard a
sales pitch about transponder keys and how they are better than regular
keys. Of course, you value your safety. So, instead of opting for a car
that has regular keys, you opted for the safer version- a car that comes
with transponder keys.
At the time, this seemed like a much better option and it really is.
However, there are some things that can go wrong with transponder keys
that you would not experience with a regular car key. All these problems
occur because of the transponder chip that is inside the key.
In fact, the major difference between the transponder key and a
regular car key is the presence of the transponder chip. Of course, this
is a big difference. The transponder chip has to correspond with the
vehicle’s computer to start the car. If it is missing or not working,
your vehicle won’t start.
This is much different from a regular key which only needs to match
up with the grooves in the lock so the car can start. So, the sales
pitch you heard about transponder keys being safer was true. It’s just
that they can experience way more problems than a regular car key and
you won’t hear that part in the sales pitch.
Common Problems with Transponder Keys
Maybe you haven’t had any problems with your transponder keys so far.
But, there are several things that can go wrong. Transponder keys are
all susceptible to the same problems that can happen to regular
keys. Plus, there is the transponder chip which can undergo problems
too. Here are some problems that you may experience.
- The key gets stuck in the ignition
There are several reasons why your key may get stuck in the ignition.
It could be a problem with the key itself or it can be a problem with
the ignition cylinder. If you think your key is stuck, check to make
sure your steering wheel is in the correct position, you are in the
correct gear and there are no alarm features that would prevent it from
coming out the ignition. No matter what, do not tug on the key too hard.
You may end up breaking it.
- The transponder chip falls out
If your key falls, it may open up. Since the chip inside is so small,
it may fall out without you noticing. When you are putting your key
back together, make sure that the transponder chip is intact. Otherwise,
you will end up with a key that can do just about everything except
start the vehicle. If you cannot find the transponder chip to put it
back inside the key, you will have to get a new one.
- The key is broken
It is not uncommon for car keys to get broken and transponder keys
are no different. In many cases, you can avoid breaking your car keys.
Many people use their keys for tasks other than starting the car or
opening the doors. Make sure you do not follow in their footsteps. Your
key should not be used to open bottles, clean small areas or any other
task that it is not intended for. Once you use your key for these tasks,
you make it more susceptible to breakage.
- You have lost the key
Lost keys are no joke. You never know whose hands they can end up in.
When it comes on to your car, if you lose your keys, the usual
suggestion is a replacement key.
While some people may change their locks, most people won’t. In many
cases, people just hope that the car keys will not fall into the wrong
hands and their vehicle will not get stolen.
- The key is bent
Bent keys are problematic because they are much more delicate. At any
moment, your bent key can break. If you have other keys, it is best to
use them instead of the bent one. While it may work very well in its
bent state, you never know when it will break. Plus, if it does break, a
piece of it may get stuck in the ignition cylinder and, of course, that
would be more problems for you.
So, How Can You Avoid Problems with Your Transponder Keys
If you have a problem with your transponder key, you basically have two options- take it to the dealer or get a locksmith. The
dealer’s rate is usually much more expensive than the locksmith, which
is why many people usually opt for locksmith services.
But, how can you prevent a reoccurrence of the problem? Well, once it
is not manufacturer related, it may be a bit easy to prevent damage to
your transponder key or other types of problems.
The key is making sure that you take care of your key. Try not to
drop it for the chip to fall out and do not use it for any other task
apart from opening the car doors and starting the car. But, if you do
end up with a problem with your transponder key, A1 Elmwood Park Locksmith
in Elmwood Park, IL can assist you. Not in our area? Make sure you find
a reputable locksmith that works in your area to help you.
