Transponder Car Keys

[lockboys]

Hi, i am an automotive locksmith in Adelaide and have noticed a few posts on Transponder keys.I also know that worldwide very few people have any idea that their vehicle has this system fitted from the factory.


Automotive keys have changed forever!

Did you know that since the early 1990’S vehicle manufacturers have been installing a passive anti-theft system on the production line, this system is called TRANSPONDER KEY TECHNOLOGY. The system offers the vehicle owner, peace of mind in so much as the car can not be stolen without the correct electronically coded computer chip key to start the vehicle.
The word TRANSPONDER comes from 2 words, the first is Transmitter, this is where we get TRANS from, this relates to the key. The second word is Responder, this is where we get the word PONDER from and this relates to the vehicles onboard computer. The key when inserted into the ignition lock, transmits an electronic code to the onboard computer, this in return responds by recognizing the signal and the car starts.


The systems were iniated by insurance companies in Germany 12 years ago, at the time it was thought to be a great idea. However when the insurance companies saw the cost of what they had created they backed out of insurance if your car was stolen by using a key.
Which of coarse could be from a home invasion and finding your spare key left lying around.

Here are some pointers on how you should look after your key and known problems that can cause your key to stop working.



WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN BRIEF.
Do not drop your keys as this may break the chip and your car will not start.
Do not get your key wet as the key may not start your car.
Do not have your key near an ATM when swiping your card as this may clear the key memory. This also applies to other card swipe facilities.
Do not leave keys in direct sunlight as it may cook the chip.
NEW PROBLEMS HAVE COME TO LIGHT
Fitting none genuine accessories to your car may cause your key to stop working.
Never keep 2 different transponder keys on the same key ring
Transponder keys can clear the information on your Credit cards if kept too close.
Mobile phone towers and Satellite dishes are also interfering with keys & remotes.
Transponder keys need to be duplicated on computer controlled machinery.
Hardware stores & key cutters are not Locksmiths & generally cater for the most common house house key.

Cheers darryl

[AUXRVIII]

Given that a transponder key is only active when charged by the tranceiver on the ignition lock I can't see how credit cards can be affected by them. The key needs to be extremely close the any electronic device for it to be affected. I can't see anyone trying to insert their ign key into an ATM with their ATM card.
AU Falcons from 6/99 onwards have had this type of key & it's very rare for one to be recoded to a car.
Relax people it's not really this bad.

[XRQTOR]

Originally Posted by AUXRVIII

Relax people it's not really this bad.

Unless you drive a crapadore where the black box can be taken out in 2 min, plug a new box in and start the car.



EF keys can be recoded by the car, it's a simple process abd takes less than 1min. Not sure of the process for the BA/BF but it's in the owner's manual.

[bob^]

Are you sure its the keys? or the actual remotes which can be programmed.
There's nothing in my book about recoding the car for new keys. Not to mention you wouldn't be able to unlock your car with the new keys.

[AUXRVIII]

Originally Posted by XRQTOR

Unless you drive a crapadore where the black box can be taken out in 2 min, plug a new box in and start the car.



EF keys can be recoded by the car, it's a simple process abd takes less than 1min. Not sure of the process for the BA/BF but it's in the owner's manual.

I think your talking about the central locking remotes. This thread is about transponders in the ign key that disarm the engine immobilizer, not lock & unlock the doors.

[AWD Chaser]

1. Do not drop your keys as this may break the chip and your car will not start - Possilbe
2. Do not get your key wet as the key may not start your car - Possible
3. Do not have your key near an ATM when swiping your card as this may clear the key memory. This also applies to other card swipe facilities. - Bwahahaha - this is not true as there is not enough magnetic field to clear an ROM chip or magnetic strip...
4. Do not leave keys in direct sunlight as it may cook the chip - If the temp gets above 60 Celcius...

5. Fitting none genuine accessories to your car may cause your key to stop working - I do not see how... in the Falcon, you would have to edit the BEM module, and an edit is not an accesory...
6. Never keep 2 different transponder keys on the same key ring - Why? See point 3....
7. Transponder keys can clear the information on your Credit cards if kept too close - 1. The only info on your credit card is a number which links back to your file in a computer in Sydney or Melbourne, 2. See point 3...
8. Mobile phone towers and Satellite dishes are also interfering with keys & remotes - Remotes, yes. I had trouble locking my car with the remote at Telstra Tower in Canberra, but keys, No...
9. Transponder keys need to be duplicated on computer controlled machinery - Correct
10. Hardware stores & key cutters are not Locksmiths & generally cater for the most common house house key - Correct

I'm not out to prove you wrong, but alot of this info is blown out of the water a bit... it takes a microwave oven magent to screw your ATM cards... so a key will do SFA... Just trying to tell people to not be scared...

[XRQTOR]

Originally Posted by AUXRVIII

I think your talking about the central locking remotes. This thread is about transponders in the ign key that disarm the engine immobilizer, not lock & unlock the doors.

So how does a brand new car key turn the car on, a brand new uncoded key shouldn't turn it on should it so it must have recoded it tjen.

[AUXRVIII]

Originally Posted by XRQTOR

So how does a brand new car key turn the car on, a brand new uncoded key shouldn't turn it on should it so it must have recoded it tjen.

On an EF it's the ign lock assy that is coded, not the key.
On Falcon from 6/99 onwards it's the key thats coded to the car not the ign lock assy.

[EASYBOSS]

Originally Posted by au3 chaser

1. Do not drop your keys as this may break the chip and your car will not start - Possilbe
2. Do not get your key wet as the key may not start your car - Possible
3. Do not have your key near an ATM when swiping your card as this may clear the key memory. This also applies to other card swipe facilities. - Bwahahaha - this is not true as there is not enough magnetic field to clear an ROM chip or magnetic strip...
4. Do not leave keys in direct sunlight as it may cook the chip - If the temp gets above 60 Celcius...

5. Fitting none genuine accessories to your car may cause your key to stop working - I do not see how... in the Falcon, you would have to edit the BEM module, and an edit is not an accesory...
6. Never keep 2 different transponder keys on the same key ring - Why? See point 3....
7. Transponder keys can clear the information on your Credit cards if kept too close - 1. The only info on your credit card is a number which links back to your file in a computer in Sydney or Melbourne, 2. See point 3...
8. Mobile phone towers and Satellite dishes are also interfering with keys & remotes - Remotes, yes. I had trouble locking my car with the remote at Telstra Tower in Canberra, but keys, No...
9. Transponder keys need to be duplicated on computer controlled machinery - Correct
10. Hardware stores & key cutters are not Locksmiths & generally cater for the most common house house key - Correct

I'm not out to prove you wrong, but alot of this info is blown out of the water a bit... it takes a microwave oven magent to screw your ATM cards... so a key will do SFA... Just trying to tell people to not be scared...

Totally agree, as a side point, can anyone explain why all ford keys (know Au and BA) will lock any Au ,BA?

[XRQTOR]

Originally Posted by AUXRVIII

On an EF it's the ign lock assy that is coded, not the key.
On Falcon from 6/99 onwards it's the key thats coded to the car not the ign lock assy.

EF xr8 that was for.

[samftr]

any key EA 30th anniversary on wards to bf will lock the doors. some transit vans use the hex key and I think the focuses use the hex key too.

[Mechan1k]

Originally Posted by EASYBOSS

Totally agree, as a side point, can anyone explain why all ford keys (know Au and BA) will lock any Au ,BA?

Good question .... have seen this done .... actually any Tibbe key will lock another Tibbe lock ... a mate did it to someone who had a go at him at a servo ... the guy left his keys in the ignition of he AU .... mate locked it with his EL keys.

A call was needed for the NRMA to come and break into the guys car to get his keys .... funny indeed.

[AUXRVIII]

Originally Posted by EASYBOSS

Totally agree, as a side point, can anyone explain why all ford keys (know Au and BA) will lock any Au ,BA?

There is a locking roller in the keybarrel, it allows the tumblers to turn one way regardless of whether they line up or not, but they will only turn in the unlock direction if the tumblers are lined up by the correct key.

[AUXRVIII]

Originally Posted by XRQTOR

EF xr8 that was for.

Your key is no different to EB series1 up to AU 6/99, no coding of the key is required.

[Stoney!]

Part of what he says is actually true, because with the Pre- VE commodore remotes the key is read by the computer when it is inserted into the ignition.

The keys are also charged by the car when in the socket.

Stoney!