Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Car Transponder KeyOctober 7, 2019

If you have a modern vehicle, chances are you will have a transponder key for it. Invented as a safety precaution to prevent the hotwiring of vehicles, a transponder key is a modern innovation that has become a standard part of car safety. Nowadays, it is becoming rare to encounter a vehicle that features traditional car keys.

Nearly all vehicle keys of late are now key fobs which feature smart technology that is tied in to transponder chips found in the ignition. In fact, no two vehicles will have the same transponder key, as a key is preset to a specific model that only the manufacturer can replace or make a copy of. This guarantees the utmost in security, since old habits of grand theft auto like hotwiring are now easily preventable. Unfortunately, like any piece of technology, it is not uncommon that transponder keys will not function flawlessly.

How to Tell If Your Car’s Transponder Key is Malfunctioning

There are times when transponder keys malfunction and cause problems for drivers. This is especially problematic since most transponder keys double as a car’s security measure, meaning that if your key is malfunctioning, you run the risk of either getting locked out of your vehicle, or locked in. To avoid this happening to you, here are some tell-tale symptoms of a bad or failing car transponder key:

• Locking problems – if you use your transponder key to lock your vehicle remotely, but it doesn’t lock consistently, then something is wrong. The same rule applies for when you use the transponder to open a lock while inside the vehicle, but it won’t. The former is very problematic for modern vehicles that have no keyholes on the main (driver’s) door.

If it does this several times, but then reverts back to normal functioning, that’s a tell-tale sign that something is wrong and it needs to be checked out immediately.

• Engine won’t start – if you use your key on the ignition but your engine won’t start, it could mean that the transponder chip within your vehicle doesn’t recognise your key anymore. This is distinct from engine problems, since you will still hear a confirmation that your engine is starting, even though it will not fully start up. Issues with the transponder key on the other hand will lack this cue.

• Problematic emergency signal – if your car’s emergency signal suddenly goes off without the slightest hint of cause, or if you cannot turn it off after it has been activated, chances are your transponder key is malfunctioning.

If you are encountering any of these problems by themselves, or a combination of several of these symptoms all at once, you will require professional assistance from Altona Locksmiths to solve the problem.

Altona Locksmiths

15c Slough Road, Altona
Phone: (03) 9315 0522
Email: altlock@bigpond.net.au

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