Recent educational accomplishments at Steve’s Lock Out:
Back in September 2009 both Steve and Andrew took an automotive locksmith class. They learned how to easily make keys for cars when no working key is available. Both have received a certificate for completing the class. Congrats guys!
I sometimes feel like a nay sayer with many of the articles I write, however, I feel like I need to inform the general public of situations where they could be taken advantage of.
My topic for this article is remotes and “chip” keys.
First I want to clear up a few things on what a chip key is. They can and are called many different things by vehicle owners, manufacturers and dealers including some four letter words when priced by the consumer who just wants an extra key and didn’t even know their key contained a chip. Some terms you may have heard are transponder, chip, immobilizer, smart key, computer key, security key, anti-theft, PATS, Sentry key and there are many others. Irregardless of what they are called they are a key with a transponder in them. Below is a key we stock that you can see right through the head of the key. It happens to be a Ford key. And to the right of that a close up of a transponder. Many people are unaware that their is a transponder in their key because it is house in plastic and not visible.
What is a transponder? The word Transponder itself is a combination of two words; transmitter and responder. Occasionally abbreviated TPDR, TR, XPNDR or XPDR. When you put your key into your ignition and turn the key. An antenna either on, around or near your ignition transmits a signal to your key. They key then needs to “respond” back with the appropriate signal to let the car know its ok to start.
What is the purpose of a transponder? Simply put, to make your vehicle harder to steal. Forcing the ignition will not allow the car to run like it would on many non transponder vehicles. There are other systems that deture this as well, but I’ll save that for another article.
Clear Ford Key Showing TransponderA Close Up of a Transponder
VATS Key
Feel free to contact us with any additional questions you might have.
Steve’s Lock Out sells and programs chip keys and remotes in the Parsons, Kansas area. Feel free to drop by for an estimate at 1806 Main.
This is Steve signing off.
Sometimes it pays to listen to your Locksmith and compare the pros and cons and prices before making a decision. Today I’m referring to Auto Locks. Ignitions, especially, when they fail. There are some vehicles that failed ignitions are quite common. We try to keep the most ignitions in stock, but sometimes they aren’t available or you are one of several customers that has called us and they haven’t been restocked yet. So that means ignitions are sometimes out of stock or are not a regular stock item, however, we can usually have them overnighted if your in a pinch.
The price we quote you includes:
We suggest doing it this way. Why? For many reasons. Here are a few.
If you decide to shop around, make sure to ask the individual what all is covered in the fees. Does your vehicle need towed to their location? Will the replaced ignition be new and set to your original key? What, if any, additional labor charges are involved.
I hope this article will help you out in making a decision if you personally ever have to deal with this problem.
For Dodge and Chrysler
Needing to replace a remote head key can be exspensive problem. Whether the problem is a worn or broken key blade or broken shell we can fix your problem economically. Steve’s Lock Out is now providing replacement remote shells for Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth remote head keys for a fraction of the cost of a new remote head key.
These are the shell and blade only. There is no chip or remote contained in these. The board and buttons will have to be removed from your key and placed into the new shell and the blade cut to your key to work your vehicle. Shells are available for 3, 4, 5 and 6 button remotes head keys.
If a new shell can’t fix your problem we also can provide, cut and program new remote head keys. We also sell the new ”Pod” keys as well as a plethora of other auto keys and remotes.
Too many keys? Ya, too many keys….hanging out of your cars ignition.
We’ve touched on reasons for auto ignition failures before and heres another bit of information to make your car that much more worry free.
Heavy or or overstuffed key rings are probably the largest contributor to auto ignition failure. Imagine if you would taking 2 pieces of metal and rubbing them together for a couple of minutes. OK not much happens here. Now take those same pieces of metal and rub them together a couple of hours a day and do that every day for a couple of months. Notice anything now. Not that you are really going to do this, but imagine what would happen to them if you did. You would most likely see substantial wear on them. Much the same thing happens in your car’s ignition and key when you have a heavy key ring. Fixing the key isn’t too bad. Most locksmiths can cut you a key back to factory specifications and have you on your way in a reasonably short amount of time and at not too much expense. If you have a “chip” key the cost can go up substantially. However, when an ignition fails it can be a whole new ball game. Ignitions, even ones that don’t use chip keys can be quite expensive. Most brands of autos use the same ignition for cars with and without chip keys. The difference is the antenna near the ignition that picks up the signal from the key.
Locksmiths are not the only ones who fix ignitions. Some mechanics do as well. The difference is most mechanics will put in a randomly keyed ignition and you end up with 2 keys to what should be a one key car. A locksmith, well I can’t say all, but most will key the new ignition back to the original key so you still have a one key car.
I will admit that there are several autos out there that have ignitions in them that are prone to premature failure no matter how careful you are. And failure doesn’t necessarily mean that the ignition will not turn on. I’ve replaced many GM ignitions that failed due to a sensor in the lock. In this case the key will turn on, however, you get a “no crank” situation and a blinking “theft” indicator on the instrument cluster.
Some ways to keep from causing to much wear on your ignition are.
Quick Release Key Ring
We do not advise simply leaving your key in the ignition in your car. This is just inviting auto theft and many insurance companies will not cover a claim when an auto is stolen in this situation.
Save 10% on programming
If your shopping Country Mart in Parsons, Kansas you should check the back of your receipt for savings on key and remote programming. With this coupon you can save 10% on remote and/or car key programming. Must be an in shop purchase. Call us for a quote on extra keys or remotes for you vehicle today.