Car Immobiliser Repair
Car immobilisers became a necessity for automakers in the latter part 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 does not match.
It is therefore essential to fix your car's key immobiliser when it starts to fail or is damaged. Here are a few common causes for your car's immobiliser not working:
Dead Batteries
Key fob issues are usually caused by a dead battery. A battery can go bad due to long-term usage, exposure to harsh environmental conditions or simply ageing. If a battery is damaged, it can no longer transmit the signal required by the immobiliser, and operate the key fob. This could prevent the car from starting, which results in the requirement for a professional technician to complete an repair of the immobiliser system.
Most times replacing the battery is all that is required to revive an old battery and get it back to working. A good quality coin-style battery can be purchased at a local hardware store or even at a general retailer for between $5-10. After purchasing the new battery, remove the old one and open the casing. Look for an opening or notch along the seam that separates the top and bottom halves of the fob. Use an flathead screwdriver or coin into the slot, and then move it around the edges. Then, you can insert the new batteries and then snap the two halves together. After you've completed the process, you can recycle the old battery at a nearby battery collection site.
If the new battery fails to solve the issue, it could be a problem with the RFID technology within the key fob. In the majority of vehicles that have ignition that is push-button, the fob is required to be positioned close to the barrel of ignition to confirm its presence. If the RFID inside the key fob cannot communicate with the vehicle, you will have to get a new key or go to a dealer to fix the immobiliser.
If changing the batteries does not resolve the issue, you may want to take the key fob apart to find any buttons that are out of place or damaged. It's normal for buttons to get dislocated over time, since your key fob is likely be tossed around a lot.
Faulty transponder key
A transponder key that is defective can result in serious consequences. Transponder keys are different from traditional metal keys that engage the ignition mechanically. They feature an electronic microchip that sends an individual number to the immobilizer system in the car to confirm its identity. This provides a layer of security that greatly reduces the possibility of theft and other forms of crime committed by vehicles. However, just like any other electronic device transponder keys are subject to a myriad of issues that are related to the chip's function.
Transponder chips are delicate and even a slight physical damage will affect their capability to function. It is crucial to examine your transponder keys for signs of wear, since these could be the cause of an immobiliser that is not working properly.
The microchip in the internal circuit of a transponder is also sensitive to moisture and other environmental conditions. This can interfere with the ability of keys to communicate with an immobilizer system. It's therefore important to keep the key fob as far away from water as you can.
It's also important to note that a transponder is specifically programmed to a specific vehicle, and modifying any sensitive parts can result in compatibility issues that can affect its functionality. Therefore, it's best to avoid any form of modification to a car 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 keys that are in need of repair or replacement, an expert locksmith will be able assist you. They can duplicate your key or design a new one from scratch and will be able to program it to work with your specific vehicle's immobilizer system, assuring that it operates properly. This process is not like replicating a key from a car. Suggested Looking at requires special tools to ensure that the software is programmed correctly with the proper information.
Faulty Antenna or Receiver
The transponder chip inside your car key transmits a signal that is recognised by the ECU to ensure that it is the correct key to start the vehicle. If it's not, the immobiliser system will prevent the engine from beginning. This is a way to prevent thieves from using stolen or counterfeit keys to access your car's motor.
If the signal is not recognized by the ECU due to a problem with the antenna or the receiver, the car will not start. A professional auto locksmith is able to help you resolve this issue.
It could be due to a variety of causes which include an antenna that isn't compatible or an electrical interference problem. Radio frequency interference is caused by electrical equipment that is heavy, lighting systems computers, digital devices as well as cable television systems and transmitters. The coaxial antenna cable might have been damaged or cut off. This could happen if your pets play around the house, or if the cable is twisted during installation.
The receiver may be too far away from the antenna. Connect the receiver to another antenna and check. If the error message persists it is possible that you need to install an additional antenna or change the route of your coaxial cable.
Antennas aren't necessarily bad, but they can be bent, pinched or loose from their connectors, causing the RF level of the signal to decrease. You should also check whether there is any equipment between the antenna and the receiver, for instance a surge protector or splitter, as this may influence the signal strength.
If you choose to use the EEPROM method to program the car key, you will need to extract specific modules (security components) from your vehicle and read the "password" from them. This requires a lot of knowledge, as there is a possibility that the information can be damaged. A professional auto locksmith has a comprehensive knowledge of the circuit board and can minimize the chance of this happening by reading the data directly from the module using a specific tool.
Faulty Electronics
Many modern cars are fitted with security systems that prevent the engine from beginning if the car's ignition fob or key isn't in 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. It can be an effective way to curb the crime in vehicles however, it can also be a problem.
If the security light on your dashboard is lit solid, it means that the car immobiliser hasn't been able to receive the signal from the fob or key. This could be due to a variety of factors, such as an insufficient battery on the keyfob, or physical damage to the key. If you're experiencing this issue, follow the manufacturer's instructions to perform a reset of the system, or contact an expert mechanic to get help.
When you insert your transponder into your key, the chip sends an alert to the immobiliser system of the car. The code is checked against the codes stored on the computer. If the codes coincide, the engine will start and the immobiliser shut off. If the immobiliser is unable to detect the signal, the engine will not turn over and you could be left trapped.
There are many problems that could cause the car's immobiliser to cease working correctly, but the majority of them are simple and inexpensive to fix. A dying or dead keyfob battery is the most frequent issue, and it can be easily identified by conducting a simple diagnostic test. If this does not solve the issue, it could be due to other issues in the electrical system of your car that are hindering the function of the immobiliser. If this is the case, a professional can examine your car's electrical system and look for indications that it may be affected by loose connections or damaged.
A car key immobiliser is a crucial safety feature that helps protect your vehicle from theft. They are generally safe, but they can occasionally fail and need to be replaced or repaired. You can prepare for the occasional issue by knowing the most common causes and signs.