Car Immobiliser Repair
Car immobilisers became a necessity for automakers in the late 20th century because hot-wiring cars was becoming more popular among thieves. The immobiliser blocks your car from starting if the key fob chip is damaged or does not match.
It is therefore important to repair your car's key immobiliser as soon as it becomes faulty or damaged. Here are a few most frequent reasons for the immobiliser of your car not working:
Dead Batteries
A dead battery is among the most frequent causes of key fob problems. Problems with batteries can be caused by prolonged use, harsh environmental conditions or ageing. When a battery fails to function, it is unable to transmit the signal required by the immobiliser, and operate the key fob. This could stop your vehicle from starting and may require a professional to fix the immobiliser system.
In most instances, a simple battery replacement will revive the battery that was dead. A good coin-style battery can be purchased at your local hardware store or even at a general retailer for between $5-10. After you've bought a new battery, take the old one from the fob, and carefully open the case. Look for slots or notch on the seam that separates the bottom and top halves of the fob. Then, insert the tip of an flathead screwdriver or coin into the slot, and then move it around the edges. Then, insert the new batteries and then snap the two halves together. After that recycling the old battery at a battery collection facility close to you.
If the new battery does not solve the issue, it might be a problem with the RFID technology within the key fob. The majority of vehicles with a push-button ignition design require the fob to be held up close to the barrel of ignition in order to verify its presence and send the correct signal for the vehicle to start. If the RFID inside the key fob is not able to communicate with the vehicle, you will need to have a new key made or go to a dealer to fix the immobiliser.
If changing the battery doesn't resolve the problem, it may be worth taking the key fob apart and examining the buttons that seem to be not in the right place or are damaged. It's normal for buttons to get dislocated over time, since your key fob is bound to be tossed around frequently.
Faulty Transponder Key
A transponder key that's not working could have severe consequences. In contrast to traditional keys made of metal, that mechanically engage the ignition the transponder key is equipped with an electronic microchip that transmits a unique code to the immobilizer system to verify its identity prior to allowing it to start the engine. This provides an additional layer of security, decreasing the risk of thefts and other vehicle-related crimes. Transponder keys, like any other electronic device, are vulnerable to various issues that are related to the function of the chip.
Transponder chips are fragile and even a small amount of physical damage can affect their ability to function. It's vital to inspect your transponder keys for signs of wear, as these can be the reason for an immobiliser malfunction.
The internal microchip of transponders are also sensitive to environmental and moisture conditions. This can interfere with the ability of a key to communicate with an immobilizer system. Therefore, see this site is important to keep the key fob and keychain as far away from water as you can.
It's also important to remember that a transponder key is specifically programmed to a particular vehicle, and changing any sensitive parts can result in issues with compatibility that could impact its functionality. It is best to avoid making any modifications to a key unless you're equipped with the appropriate knowledge and equipment.
Fortunately, if you've got an old key that is in need of repair or replacement, a professional locksmith can help you out. They will be able to duplicate the key you have already got or design a new one from scratch, and they'll be able program it to match your particular vehicle's immobilizer system, assuring that it functions properly. This isn't as easy as copying a regular metal car key, and it requires the use of specialized tools to ensure that all of the proper details are entered into the software.
Faulty Receiver or Antenna
The transponder chip in your car key transmits an electrical signal to the ECU that allows it to verify whether the key is the correct one to start your vehicle. If it isn't then the immobiliser will prevent the engine from being started. This is to stop thieves from using stolen or cloned keys to access your car's motor.
If the signal is not recognized by the ECU due to a fault with the antenna or receiver the car won't start. A professional auto locksmith will be in a position to assist you in resolving this issue.
This can be down to a variety of causes which include an antenna that isn't compatible or an electrical interference problem. Radio frequency interference is caused by heavy electrical equipment lighting systems computers, computers, digital devices cable television systems, and transmitters. The coaxial antenna cable might be damaged or disconnected. This can occur when pets roam around the house or the cable gets twisted or pinched during installation.
The receiver may be too far away from the antenna. You can test this by connecting the receiver to a different antenna. If the error message remains it is possible that you require a new antenna or change the coaxial cable.
Antennas are not bad, but they can be pinched, twisted or detached from their connectors, which can cause the RF level of the signal to drop. It is also important to determine if there is any equipment installed between the antenna and the receiver, like a surge protector or splitter since this can impact the strength of the signal.
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 read the "password" from them. This requires expertise as the information could be corrupted. A professional auto locksmith has a comprehensive knowledge of the circuit board and can minimize this risk by reading the data directly from the module with a specific tool.
Faulty Electronics
Many modern cars have security systems that prevent them from starting the engine in the event that they don't have a remote or key to the car. These systems use transponder chips, RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) technology, or immobiliser control units to authenticate the keys or fob after it is inserted into the ignition. This can be a fantastic method to prevent theft of vehicles however, as with any other piece of electronic equipment, it's possible to fail.
If the security light is solid on your dashboard, this indicates that the immobiliser in your car isn't receiving the signal from the fob or key. This could be due to a number of reasons, including an insufficient battery in the fob or a physical damage on the key. If you're experiencing this issue, follow the manufacturer's instructions to perform a reset of the system, or contact a professional mechanic for assistance.
When you insert your transponder into your key, the chip transmits an alert to the immobiliser system in the car. This code is then compared against the codes stored on the computer. If the codes match, identical, the engine will start and the immobiliser will shut off. If the immobiliser is unable to detect the signal it will not turn over and you could be left trapped.
There are a variety of issues that could cause the car's immobiliser to stop working properly, but most of them are fairly easy and inexpensive to address. The most common cause is a dying or dead key fob battery, which can be quickly diagnosed with a simple diagnostic test. If this does not solve the issue, it may be due to other issues with the electrical system in your vehicle that are affecting the immobiliser's function. If this is the situation, a professional must examine your car's wiring and look for indications of damage or loose connections that could be affecting the performance of the immobiliser.
A car key immobiliser can help to secure your vehicle from unauthorized access. They are generally safe however, they may occasionally malfunction and require replacement or repair. If you are aware of the most common reasons for these issues and knowing what symptoms to look for, you will be prepared for the occasional incident.