Car Immobiliser Repair

Car immobilisers became a requirement for automakers in the latter part of the 20th century because hot-wiring cars was becoming increasingly popular among thieves. The immobiliser prevents your car from starting if the key fob chip is damaged or doesn't match.

This is why it's crucial to get your car's immobiliser repaired promptly if it's malfunctioning or broken. Here are a few common reasons for the immobiliser in your car not being able to work:

Dead Batteries

A dead battery is one of the most frequently cited causes of key fob issues. Battery problems can be caused by prolonged use and harsh environmental conditions as well as ageing. When a battery dies and is no longer able to provide the power necessary to control the key fob and transmit the signal needed by the immobiliser system. This could prevent the vehicle from starting, resulting in the need for a professional to carry out an immobiliser system repair.

Most of the time replacing the battery is all that is needed to revive the battery that has died and get it working again. A high-quality coin-style battery can be purchased at your local hardware store or even some general retailers for between $5-10. Once you've purchased a new battery, take the old one from the fob and carefully open the case. Look for a slot or notch along the line that divides the bottom and top halves of the fob. Push the tip of an flathead screwdriver or coin into the slot, then work your way around the edges. Then, insert the new battery and snap the two halves of the fob together. After you've completed the process, you can recycle the old battery at a nearby collection site.

If the new battery does not fix the problem, there may be an issue with the RFID technology within the key fob. In most vehicles with push-button ignition, the fob must be placed close to the barrel of ignition to confirm its existence. If the RFID in your key fob isn't able to communicate with the car, you will need to have the key made for your vehicle or take it to a dealer for an immobiliser repair.

If replacing the battery doesn't solve the issue it's worth taking the key fob apart and looking for any buttons that seem not in the right place or are damaged. Since your key fob is constantly tossed around during use It's not uncommon for some of the buttons to become misaligned or stuck in time.

Key for the Transponder that isn't working

A transponder key that's not working can result in serious consequences. Transponder keys differ from the traditional keys made of metal that engage the ignition mechanically. They have an electronic microchip that transmits a unique number to the immobilizer system of the vehicle to verify the identity of the key. This provides an additional layer of security, reducing the possibility of thefts as well as other crimes committed by vehicles. But, like other electronic device, transponder keys are susceptible to a myriad of issues that are related to the chip's function.

Transponder chips are extremely delicate and even a tiny amount of physical damage could significantly impact their ability to function. It is crucial to examine your transponder keys for signs that indicate wear, since these could be the reason for an immobiliser malfunction.


The internal microchip of transponders is also sensitive to humidity and other environmental conditions. This can interfere with the ability of a key to communicate with an immobilizer system. As a result, it is essential to keep your key fob and key chain away from a variety of contaminants and water as much as you can.

It's also important to remember that a transponder key has been specifically programmed to a specific vehicle, and modifying any part that is sensitive can result in issues with compatibility that could impact its function. It is recommended to not make any changes to a key unless you're equipped with the appropriate knowledge and equipment.

Fortunately, if you've got an old key that is in need of repair or replacement, an experienced locksmith will be able to assist you. They can duplicate your key or create a brand new one, and program it to match the immobilizer mechanism of your vehicle, ensuring it is working in a proper manner. This process is not like copying a metal car key. It requires specialized tools in order to ensure that the software is programmed correctly with the correct information.

Faulty Receiver or Antenna

The transponder chip inside your car key sends an electrical signal to the ECU that allows it to verify whether or not the key is the correct one to start your vehicle. The immobiliser prevents the engine from running in the event that it isn't the correct key. This is to prevent thieves from accessing your car's engine using stolen or cloned key.

If the signal cannot be recognized by the ECU due to a fault with the antenna or receiver the car won't start. A professional auto locksmith will be able to help you resolve this problem.

This can be caused by a variety of reasons, including an antenna that is not compatible or electrical interference. Radio frequency interference could be caused by heavy electrical equipment lighting systems computers, computers, digital devices, cable television systems and transmitters. The coaxial antenna cable may have been damaged or disconnected. This could happen if your pets run around in the house, or if your cable is damaged during installation.

Another reason why the antenna might not be working is because the receiver is far from the antenna. You can check this by connecting the receiver to another antenna. If the error message persists, you might need to replace the antenna or change the coaxial cable.

Antennas are not good, but they could be bent, pinched or loose from their connectors, which can cause the RF quality of the signal to decrease. It is also important to determine if there is any equipment installed between the antenna and the receiver, for instance a surge protector or splitter, since this can affect the signal strength.

If you choose to use the EEPROM method to program a car key, you will have to remove specific modules (security components) from your vehicle and read the "password" from them. This requires great expertise as the information could be corrupted. A professional auto locksmith has a deep knowledge of the circuit board and can reduce the risk by reading data directly from the module with a special tool.

Faulty Electronics

Many modern cars have security systems that prevent them from starting the engine if they don't have the car key or remote. These systems make use of transponder chips, RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) technology, or immobiliser control units to authenticate the key or fob when it's placed in the ignition. It's a great method to decrease vehicle crime however, it can also be a problem.

If the security light on your dashboard is solid, that means the car immobiliser hasn't been able to receive the signal from the key or fob. This can be due to a number of factors, such as a battery that is depleted on the keyfob, or physical damage to the key. If you're experiencing this issue, follow the manufacturer's instructions to perform a reset on the system, or contact a professional mechanic to get help.

When you insert your transponder into your key, the chip transmits an immobiliser system of the car. This code is then checked against the codes stored on the computer. If car key fob repair coincide then the engine will start and the immobiliser will shut off. If the immobiliser fails to detect the signal, the engine will not start and you could be stranded.

There are many issues that could cause the immobiliser in your vehicle to not function properly. However, the majority of them are easy and cheap to fix. The most common culprit is a dying or dead key fob battery that can be easily identified with a quick diagnostic test. If this does not resolve the problem, it could be that there are other issues with the electrical system in your car that are affecting the immobiliser's function. If this is the case, a professional should inspect the wiring in your car and look for signs of damage or loose connections that may be impacting the performance of the immobiliser.

A car key immobiliser is a crucial safety feature that helps protect your vehicle from being accessed by unauthorized persons. While these systems are generally quite reliable, they can sometimes go wrong and need repairing or replacing. You can prepare yourself for the occasional issue by knowing the most common causes and signs.