What Is An Auto Transponder Key

What is a Transponder Key for a Car?

Most cars manufactured in the past 20 years have transponder keys as part of their anti-theft security measures. Remote keys are also used with keyless entry systems for homes, gates and garage door remote openers.

Transponder devices use microchips to transmit a low-level signal from a key that is read by a remote receiver. The microchip is programmed by the manufacturer with a unique serial number. Using RFID (radio frequency identification), the receiver must detect the correct serial number in order to unlock or open. Similar to key fobs, transponder keys are often used with car locks and home security systems, as well as to open gates and garage doors.

In the case of transponder keys for cars, when the key is inserted, the signal is sent to the receiver located near the ignition. If the digital serial number in the transponder matches the one programmed in the car, it will start when the driver turns the key.

Why Are Transponder Keys More Secure?

Transponders keys provide a higher level of security for vehicles in two ways. They help deter and prevent car theft by rendering ‘hot wiring’ or breaking the ignition lock ineffective. If the car doesn’t detect the key’s microchip or the exact serial number, it won’t start. Where a traditional ignition key only has a few standard cut combination, a transponder key’s digital ID is virtually unique.

The use of a digital identity creates many more potential combinations than the use of standard cuts on a mechanical key and lessens the chance that someone else’s key could be used in your car.

Unfortunately, nothing is foolproof, not even transponder keys. Criminals have developed ways to break-in to cars, even those with transponder key security.

How Does A Transponder Key Work?

The purpose of having transponder keys is to protect your vehicle from car theft. Having an automotive security system helps prevent vehicles from being stolen or hot-wired. When the original key is inserted and turned to the ON position. The antenna ring around the ignition sends a signal to the transponder key. Once the transponder key receives the electronic message it will send a radio frequency back to the antenna ring. Once the antenna ring receives the appropriate code in return. It will then proceed to send that code to the vehicles Engine Control Unit (ECU). If the code matches the code stored on the computer’s memory, it will disable the vehicle’s immobilizer. Once the vehicle immobilizer is disabled then the vehicle with start. In order to start the car, the cuts on the transponder key have to match the wafers inside the lock. Then the transponder key has to match the code that’s programmed in the vehicle’s computer. If it does, then you can start the vehicle because the security system at that point is disabled.

Without this information being stored into the computer of the vehicle, the key would not be allowed to start the engine. This security feature is built into all modern-day cars and is called a PATS system (Passive Anti-Theft System). This system was designed to deter the theft of vehicles and requires special equipment to program keys to vehicles. The first type of transponder key was called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). This type of transponder chip key had the “microchip” mounted on the key blade. That being said, the VATS system is no longer used in modern-day vehicles. If your vehicle was manufactured after 2002 there’s a 95% chance that it has a chip in the car key.

Where Can You Get A Transponder Key?

Guangzhou Heynes High-Tech Co., Ltd. was located in Guangzhou China, established in 2009, and have many years of history in Auto part industry. Our products include car keys, shells, transponder chips, key programmer and other automotive accessories.Our company has 50 employees working in dedicated offices and warehouses. We were cooperated with different factories and shipping agents under sea/air/land transportation. That let us can accept all OEM or aftermarket orders more Professional and convenient. We have the Professional equipment, technicians, sales staff and packaging staff, committed to each cooperation and each customers.

Currently, Heynes has exported to Domestic Market as Western Europe, North America, South Asia ,middle East and so on. We always focused on quality and customer service to improve customer satisfaction. We will initiate the second phase of our development strategy. Regards “Reliable quality，reasonable price,efficient production time and good after-sales service” as our tenet. We hope to cooperate with more customer for mutual development and benefits.

If you have more questions, don't hesitate to contact us.