A transponder key is the type of car key has a transponder chip inside. Most transponder keys look almost like basic cut keys, the difference, however, is that Transponder Keys use its transponder chips as a supplementary security measure. Transponder chips are the ones responsible for sending signals to the car’s transceiver and once the transceiver detects the right signal from the Transponder Key, the car will start. On the other hand, the car won’t start if the car’s transceiver happens to receive an incorrect signal no signal at all.

In short, Transponder Keys are just like another level basic cut keys, which provides a higher level of user verification. If you are someone who always encounters this type of problem with your transponder key, you might want to know how to program a transponder key for cars. We spoke to Speedy Locksmith about it, so keep on reading. 

How to Program A Transponder Key For Cars?

If your car has a transceiver and you want a key to be able to start it’s ignition, then that’s when you’ll need a Transponder Key programming. But if you own an old vehicle that doesn’t require signals from transponder chips to start, then there’s no need to bother programming a key. Old vehicles usually work with just the right basic cut metal key and not Transponder Key. 

How to know if you have a transponder key?

There are two common ways of checking whether or not your key is actually a transponder key. Transponder keys look just like basic cut keys – it has a blade (the metal part of the key) and there’s a bow (the flat part where you hold on to when turning the key). To be able to tell the two types of key apart, focus on the bow of your key and examine if it’s either covers with rubber or plastic shell. Usually, if so, there’s a probability that there’s actually a transponder chip within the bow

However, having a slightly bulky bow doesn’t guarantee a chip inside. The only way to find out for sure if there’s a transponder chip inside is to see it for yourself. If you dare, you may proceed with removing the plastic or rubber covering to expose the chip. If you aren’t too confident about doing this without damaging or scratching the transponder chip, better not do it. Once damaged, the key might become useless when used with the car’s ignition. 

Another way to check whether or not your key has a transponder chip is by doing this simple experiment. Have a basic cut key duplication of the current working key that you use to start your car’s ignition. Make an attempt to start the ignition using the duplicate basic cut key. Upon doing so see to it that your working key isn’t anywhere the car so it won’t be able to send a signal to your car’s transceiver, just in case your car truly works with a Transponder Key. If your car starts with just the metal basic cut key, then you don’t have a transponder key and your car doesn’t have a transceiver to communicate with your key. But if it doesn’t work, then you have a transponder key alright. 

How to Program A Transponder Key For Cars

Transponder Key programming doesn’t take long and it is possible for some to be able to do it by themselves without assistance or service from professionals. However, doing so wouldn’t be too easy. Transponder Key programming can be done with only a few requirements – the car and the key but each make and model of the automobile has its own pattern of programming.

Domestic cars with a vehicle identification number that starts with 1 or 4, can have its Transponder Keys programmed by following these steps: 

1. Get into your automobile. Insert the key into the car ignition’s keyhole and turn it on. Leave it to that position for ten minutes and thirty seconds.
2. Turn the ignition off before forty-five seconds pass and then turn the key back to “on” position right after. Don’t change the key’s position for another ten and thirty seconds.
3. Turn the key to the “off” position once again before it reaches forty-five seconds, then turn it back on.
4. This might sound just like a game but try it anyway. The last step is to turn the key to “off” position once again and then turn it on. The key will then be programmed. To check whether or not the programming pattern worked, try to start your ignition.

Also, don’t forget that different make and model requires a different pattern or even a way of programming