IJS Acme Safe Ltd –Automotive Transponder Keys

i.j.s.ACME SAFE Ltd. - Bonded Locksmiths - Sales and Service

Automotive Transponder Keys
(The latest in automotive anti-theft technology)

If you purchase a new, or newer used car these days, chances are the ignition will be an Anti-Theft Transponder System. They have been in use since 1996. This page is to make you aware of the consequences of losing keys to these cars. It can be a real nightmare, both in time and cost for most makes of cars to replace these keys once they have been lost.   If you are on vacation, you may find your trip is interrupted for close to a day or more unless you can find someone to service this type of lost key situation.     It is IMPERATIVE that you carry spare keys with you while travelling anywhere.

Before purchasing another vehicle you may think about choosing one that does not have a transponder ignition. However, in the long run, that is not really the best solution because each year more and more vehicles are manufactured with transponder ignitions as standard equipment, so it will be harder and harder each year to find a car without a transponder ignition. So, if you lose all the keys, unless you find a locksmith with a field programmer, the proper transponder blanks in stock, ( cost of programming tools runs into the thousands of $$ after software updates and not many locksmiths own one) ( WE DO ) you will have to have the car towed to the dealer for key fitting and programming.       Costs can run hundreds of dollars for the service, and more if its an emergency situation and after hours.     By Sept. 1, 2007 all new cars sold in Canada must have a transponder equipped ignition lock / key.    I am sure the USA will follow suit.

What is a Transponder Key?
(transponder is a word taken from the words transmitter and responder)    The key has a "transponder" chip embedded into the plastic head of the key.     Basically it is a radio transmitter / receiver device that is programmed into your car's computer at the factory. If the vehicle's computer does not receive the correct key identification response when the key is turned to the on position, it will not start. No fuel, no spark, no starter. You won't be going anywhere. (Vehicle cannot be hot wired.)    So getting duplicate keys made with non-transponder blanks will do you no good other than they may open the doors and trunk but will not start the car.    Some cars with transponder ignitions will start and run for about 5 seconds and then the car stops dead.

Ford transponder keys are relatively easy to identify.    Chrysler Transponder keys often have a large gray plastic head, but some are black with multi-function remotes also built into the head.   These are considerably more expensive than non remote transponder keys.   GM Transponder Keys are black and look similar to non-transponder keys.   Below are photos of a few typical transponder keys

G.M. Chrysler Ford Ford

Ford key with transponder
removed ( item at left )

Chrysler Transponder key with Remote head

Ford Transponder key with Remote head

As well, European, Japanese and Korean auto manufacturers use Transponder technology in many of their ignition lock systems. The early Toyota Transponder ignitions were designed ( ? ) with the feature that if all keys are lost, the procedure must include replacing the vehicle's on-board computer. You are looking at approximately $2000.00 for costs when you lose all the keys for one of these !!!

The good news is that we can duplicate most transponder keys at both of our stores. The costs range from about $30.00 each up to around $50.00 each for most duplicates. There are others that are more expensive, most notably a 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser transponder key with multi function remote built in will run well over $300.00 for a duplicate. That's right - a DUPLICATE. Typically, Chrysler transponder keys with built in remotes are around $200.00 plus programming cost. At this cost, you may not want one for each member of the family with a driver's licence! In fact you may think twice about purchasing a new Toyota Land Cruiser. However, that is not all there is to getting one of them cut and working. After new transponder keys are cut, they must be programmed to your car ignition before they will start it. Some of the keys are programmable by you the customer by following instructions in your owner's manual. If you require us to program your spare keys the cost will run an additional $45.00 per key for programming. We recommend every owner of a transponder equipped vehicle to have a minimum of three transponder keys, plus at least one key cut on a non-transponder ( regular ) blank. The non-transponder key serves two purposes: It will let you in the car if you are locked out, and you can have transponder keys cut from one if you lose all the transponder keys.

The programming procedure involves plugging in the programmer to the on-board data port of the vehicle with the newly cut transponder key inserted into the igniton lock and turned to the on position.   This procedure can take anywhere from about a minute to 15-20 minutes depending on the vehicle.

One other note - every new vehicle comes with a factory key code. If you purchase a new car be sure and record these codes in a safe place. If you don't get the codes ask your dealer for them. Keys can be made quickly and accurately at a locksmith shop if you have these codes.     ALSO - many of the newer cars with transponder keys require a PIN code ( Chrysler, Nissan, and others ) to program the key.   This is often, but not always, only available from the car dealer.   Make sure you ask for your PIN code when you ask for your key code, if a PIN is required.    Remember, if you lose keys on a weekend, you may be STUCK until Monday if there is no dealer open to get your PIN code.    We cannot program keys for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep etc. without PIN codes.

General Motors VATS Keys
On a similar note, General Motors VATS key systems ( introduced 1986) use a resistor chip embedded in the shank of the key. This was the first type of electronic technology to go into automotive keys. There are 15 different resistor chips and the proper resistor chip key must be inserted into the ignition for the car to start. ( Of course the key must also have the proper mechanical cuts). These keys also range in price from about $30.00 each for duplicates. They come in single sided and double sided versions depending on the year and make. Again, if all keys are lost for these it is an expensive proposition to replace them.

GM vats key with resistor chip
Single sided.

Downtown store: 815 Fort St, Victoria, BC,
Canada, V8W 1H6
ph 250-383-6899 fax 250-383-1850

Western Communities Store: #318-1913 Sooke Rd
( Colwood Plaza ) Victoria, BC, V9B 1H8
phone 250-478-9709 fax 250-474-1400

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