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123 Lock and Key
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206-801-6464

Transponder Keys - Chip Keys - Car Keys

123 Lock and Key Residential Transponder Keys, also known as Chip Keys, are keys designed for your automotive ignition and contain built in circuits that emit a signal. When you attempt to turn the key in the ignition, the computer inside your car transmits a signal to the transponder chip in the key. The circuits of this chip are powered by the radio signal from the car’s computer and respond to the computer’s output with a special coded signal. If you are attempting to use a key with an improperly coded transponder or with no transponder at all, then the car will simply not start. For this reason, transponder keys are becoming increasingly popular in modern cars, in an effort to reduce theft. For example, a car thief will not be able to steal your car even if they damage the ignition, and perhaps even better, they will not be able to hotwire it.

123 Lock and Key Residential Is your key a transponder key? Chances are, if you have a newer Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Honda, Toyota, or Nissan, the answer is probably yes. However, these are not to be mistaken with VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft Security) keys, which were produced by GM (General Motors) in the late 1980’s. For more details on VATS keys, please find the associated tab on our website.

If you have lost your keys in the past, you may already know that the process of replacing a transponder key may be difficult for a non professional locksmith that is lacking the right tools and knowledge. This is mostly due to the fact that there are two parts to producing a transponder car key. The first step is to cut an exact replica of the key in order for it to turn in the lock or ignition. The second part is to program the key for the ECU.

That is where Seattle Locksmith comes in. All of our technicians are properly trained and equipped to be able to handle not only duplicating or replacing your transponder key, but also programming your new key and reprogramming any old keys you may have.

While not all cars require this, some makes and models such as Toyota and Lexus do require a pin code in order to access and reflash the ECU so as to add a new key to the system.

In the event that your key is stolen, it is imperative that any old keys be erased from the ECU to maximize security and prevent any potential theft or damage. This can easily be done with the help of a professional automotive locksmith. You should, however, keep in mind that while the old key will no longer start the car should you choose to reprogram the ECU, it can still turn in the door’s locks or ignition.

Attention: It is very important that you ensure your locksmith is using one of the well known reputable transponder machines. Using a cheap or non-professional grade programmer (most commonly made in china) can cause future electric problems with your vehicle!

More to know:

• Transponder keys work similarly to keyless entry systems that you may have seen before such as a key card for building entry (access control).
• The same transponder technology that is found in your key’s chip can also be found in micro chipped animals to locate the owner after the animal has been found.
• Each transponder chip has a unique serial program and does not match any another.

We can program almost any type of car transponder keys 24 hour a day, 7 days a week.

Call Seattle Locksmith, the transponder key experts, now for a free quote at 206-801-6464