Steps to Take If Your Transponder Key Has Been Lost?

Over the last few decades it has gotten significantly harder to steal cars. A big part of the reason for that is vehicles now come equipped with anti-theft devices that need to sync up with a transponder key. No longer is it good enough just to have a key that is cut similar to one that works a car in order to steal it. These sophisticated car transponder keys interlinked with antitheft systems are great but it does present some problems if you lose yours.

Many people also feel that because transponder keys are so sophisticated that they cannot be replaced. That simply is not true. They can be purchased from a dealership that carries the same make and model of vehicle and lock professionals can also get you a new key too.

Let’s talk a little bit more about transponder keys and how to get them replaced if you should lose yours.

What Is a Transponder Key?

It might be a good idea to tell you a little bit more about transponder keys before we get into how to go about getting them replaced if you lose them. These are really hybrid anti-theft devices. Transponder keys feature a cut key end, a tiny radio transmitter, and also have an imbedded security chip in them.

Transponder style car keys can easily be identified because they have a thick black plastic or rubber housing on the non key cut end of them. They also have several buttons embedded into their black plastic or rubber ends too. These buttons do such things as lock and unlock doors, turn on and off the car alarm, and even open the trunk lid. They do this by sending a radio signal to the host vehicle when the buttons are pressed. Some even include a panic button which flashes your vehicles lights on and off and blows the horn repeatedly to alert those around you that you are having some type of emergency.

Your car also will not start unless your transponder key is placed in the ignition either. That’s because your car’s anti-theft system will not let your car start unless it sinks up with the security chip embedded into your transponder key.

Vehicle anti-theft systems that use Transponder keys truly have taken car security to a whole new level.

Call a Local Locksmith If You Have Lost Your Transponder Key

Sure if you lose your transponder key you can go to a dealership for your make and model car and get a new one ordered. Unfortunately, by doing this it may take you several days or weeks to get your replacement transponder key. That’s why most people call a locksmith whenever they are having any transponder key issue’s or need a transponder key replaced.

One other big benefit you get by calling a locksmith to help you replace your transponder key is they are usually available to help you out 24 hours a day. That’s a good thing because when you lose your transponder key your vehicle is not going anywhere until that transponder key has been replaced. So if you are stranded because of a lost transponder key situation, call a locksmith and ask for emergency locksmith help.

Other Transponder Key Problems a Professional Locksmith Can Help You Out With

Locksmiths can also handle many other transponder key problems that you are having. Here are some examples of those:

• Replacing transponder key batteries

  Many people do not realize that as small as transponder keys are, they still include a battery to power them. This battery is very small like those found in a watch. Just like all batteries, they will eventually run out of a charge. If this happens to you, then you cannot use your transponder key buttons until the key battery has been replaced. This is not an easy thing for most people to undertake. Disassembling a transponder key to change the battery takes know-how that most people do not have. Locksmiths have the resources and know-how to easily change any transponder key battery.

• Reprogramming a malfunctioning transponder key

  There may come a time when you press a button on your transponder key and nothing happens. Don’t panic if this happens to you. It may be a case where your transponder key has come out of sync with your vehicle. Usually this can be corrected by simply reprogramming the transponder key. Once again, a locksmith carries all of the equipment necessary to do this right on their service vehicles. In no time at all, they can usually get your transponder key reprogrammed and test it to make sure it’s working.

• Fixing non-functioning transponder buttons

  There may also come a time when your transponder key buttons stop functioning too. This simply means you will need to have a locksmith remove the internal working parts of your transponder key and transfer them over into a new key blank. They should have the necessary transponder key blank right on their service vehicle.

Be Proactive and Always Have a Spare Transponder Key with You

It’s never a bad idea to carry a spare transponder key on your person. This is a very simple thing to do and can help you avoid being stranded somewhere if you lose your transponder key or it stops working. One word of caution here. Avoid the temptation of hiding a spare transponder key somewhere on your vehicle. By doing this you run the risk of giving a would-be thief easy access to your vehicle. So keep your spare transponder key in your purse or in your wallet so you don’t get any surprises when you go to get in your car.