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's engine from starting if the chip inside the key fob is damaged or does not match.
This means that it is essential to get your car's key immobiliser repair done promptly if it's malfunctioning or broken. Here are the most common reasons for your car's immobiliser failing to work:
Dead Batteries
Key fob problems are often caused by a dead battery. Batteries can fail through prolonged usage, exposure to harsh environmental conditions or simply aging. When a battery dies and is no longer able to provide the power required to operate the key fob, and also transmit the signal needed by the immobiliser system. This can prevent the vehicle from starting, resulting in the need for a professional to perform an repair of the immobiliser system.
Most of the time, a simple replacement is all that is required to revive an old battery and get it working again. A good coin-style battery can be found at your local hardware store or at some general retailers for between $5-10. Once you've purchased a brand new battery, take the old one from the fob, and carefully open the case. Find a slot or notch along the line that divides the bottom and top halves of the fob. Then, insert the end of a coin or flathead screwdriver into the slot and work it around the edges until you can open the fob. Then, insert the new batteries and then snap the two halves together. When you're done, you can recycle the old battery at a nearby collection site.
If the new battery doesn't solve the issue, it may be a problem with the RFID system on the key fob itself. Most vehicles with a push-button ignition design require that the fob be placed close to the barrel of ignition to verify its presence and send the right signal to allow the vehicle to start. If the RFID in the key fob is not able to communicate with the vehicle, you'll have to get a new key or take it to a dealership to fix the immobiliser.
If replacing the battery doesn't resolve the problem, it may be worth taking the key fob apart and looking for any buttons that seem to be out of place or broken. It's normal for buttons to get misaligned over time, as your key fob is likely to be tossed around a lot.
Key to the transponder is not working properly.
A transponder key that is faulty can result in serious consequences. Transponder keys differ from the traditional keys made of metal that engage the ignition mechanically. They feature an electronic microchip that sends an individual number to the immobilizer system of the car to verify its identity. This adds a layer of security that significantly reduces the risk of theft as well as other types of vehicular crime. However, just like any other electronic device transponder keys are subject to a variety of problems, including those related to the chip's function.
Transponder chips are fragile and even a small amount of physical damage can severely affect their capacity to function. It's vital to inspect your transponder keys for signs of wear, as these can be the cause of a malfunctioning immobiliser.
The microchip inside a transponder is also sensitive to environmental and moisture conditions. This could affect the ability of the key to communicate with an immobilizer system. It's therefore important to keep the key fob and keychain as far from water as you can.
It's important to remember that transponder keys are programmed specifically for a specific vehicle. Making any changes to the sensitive parts could result in compatibility issues that could compromise its function. It is best to avoid making any modifications to the key unless you're equipped with the appropriate knowledge and equipment.
Fortunately, if you have an old key that is in need of repair or replacement, an experienced locksmith will be able to help you out. They can duplicate your key or create an entirely new one and program it to match the immobilizer system in your vehicle, ensuring it functions correctly. This process isn't as simple as copying a normal car key made of metal, and it requires the use of specialized tools to ensure that all of the proper details are entered into the software.
Faulty Antenna or Receiver
The transponder chip on the key of your car transmits signals to the ECU that allows it to verify whether or not the key is the right one to start your vehicle. If it isn't the correct key, the immobiliser system will prevent the engine from starting. This is to deter thieves from using stolen or cloned keys to gain access to your vehicle's motor.
If the signal cannot be received by the ECU due to a problem with the antenna or the receiver, the car will not start. A professional auto locksmith can help you resolve these issues.
This could result from many reasons, including an incompatible antenna or electrical interference. Radio frequency interference (RFI) can be caused by transmitters and communications equipment such as computer systems, cable television systems and digital devices, as well as heavy electrical equipment or lighting systems. The coaxial antenna cable could be damaged or disconnected. This can happen if your pets play around the home, or if the cable is damaged during installation.
The receiver could be too far away from the antenna. You can test this by connecting the receiver to another antenna. If the error message is still present it is possible that you require a new antenna or reroute the coaxial cable.
Antennas don't really go bad, but they can get pinched or twisted, or even loosen from the connector, which may cause the RF level to decrease. It is also important to determine if there is any equipment between the antenna and the receiver, such as a surge protector or splitter as this may impact the strength of the signal.
If the EEPROM programming method is employed to program a new car key, it involves the removal of specific modules from your vehicle (security components) and then reading the "password" and other stored data from them. This requires a great deal of expertise, since there is a possibility that the data could be damaged. A professional auto locksmith can minimize the risk by reading information directly from the module an instrument that is specifically designed for this purpose.
Faulty Electronics
Many modern cars are fitted with security systems that stop the engine from beginning if the car's ignition fob or key isn't in the car. These systems use RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) or immobiliser controls to authenticate a key or fob that is put into the ignition. This is a great method to prevent theft of vehicles however, like all pieces of electronic equipment, it's possible to fail.
If the security light on your dashboard is solid, it means that the car immobiliser isn't receiving the signal from the key or fob. This could be due to a number of different things, from the battery in the key fob being depleted to physical damage or wear on the key itself. If you're experiencing this problem Follow the manufacturer's guidelines to reset the system, or call a professional mechanic for assistance.
When you insert the transponder into your key, the chip transmits an alert to the immobiliser system of the car. This code is then checked against the codes stored on the computer. If the codes match the engine will begin and the immobiliser will turn off. If the immobiliser fails to recognize the signal, it will stop the engine from turning over and could leave you stranded in a strange location.
There are many issues that can cause the immobiliser in your car to stop working properly. However, the majority of them are easy and cheap to fix. Read Even more is a dying or dead key fob battery which can be identified with a quick diagnostic test. If this doesn't resolve the issue, there may be other issues with your car's electrical system that are impacting the immobiliser's performance. If this is the situation, a professional should inspect the wiring in your car and look for indications of damage or loose connections that could be affecting its performance.
A car key immobiliser helps to safeguard your vehicle from unauthorized access. While these systems are generally quite reliable, they do occasionally go wrong and need repairing or replacement. You can prepare yourself for the occasional hiccup by understanding the most frequent symptoms and causes.