Car Immobiliser Repair

Car immobilisers became a necessity for automakers in the latter part of the 20th century as hot-wiring vehicles became increasingly popular with thieves. The immobiliser stops the engine of your car from starting if the chip inside the key fob is damaged or does not match.

It is therefore important to fix your car's key immobiliser as soon as it is damaged or malfunctions. Here are some common reasons for your car's immobiliser not working: work:

Dead Batteries

Key fob problems are typically caused by a dead battery. Problems with batteries are often caused by prolonged use, harsh environmental conditions or the aging process. If a battery is damaged in its function, it will not transmit the signal required by the immobiliser, and operate the key fob. This can prevent your car from starting and need a professional repair the immobiliser system.

In most cases, a simple battery replacement will bring back the battery that was dead. A high-quality coin-style battery is available at a local hardware shop or at some general retailers for between $5-10. After you have purchased a new coin-style battery, remove the old one and then open the case. Find slots or notch on the seam that separates the top and bottom halves of the fob. Push the end of the screwdriver, either flathead or coin, into the slot and then work around the edges until you can open the fob. Then, insert key repair car and then snap the two halves of the fob together. When you're done recycling the old battery at a battery collection center near you.

If the new battery fails to fix the problem, there could be a problem with the RFID technology within the key fob. Most vehicles with an ignition system that uses a push button require the fob to be placed close to the ignition barrel to verify its presence and send the proper signal for the vehicle to start. If the RFID in your key fob isn't in a position to communicate with the vehicle, you'll have to get the key made for the vehicle or bring it to a dealer for an immobiliser repair.

If changing the batteries doesn't resolve the issue it's possible to remove the key fob to find any buttons that are not in place or broken. Since your key fob likely gets jostled about a lot during use, it's not common for certain buttons to become displaced or stuck in time.

Faulty Transponder Key

A faulty transponder key is an unfortunate incident that could result in serious consequences. Contrary to traditional keys made of metal that mechanically engage the ignition the transponder key is equipped with an electronic microchip which transmits an individual code to the immobilizer system, verifying its identity before permitting it to start the engine. This adds an extra layer of security, which reduces the chance of thefts and other vehicular crimes. But, like other electronic device transponder keys are prone to a myriad of issues, including those related to the chip's functionality.

Transponder chips are extremely delicate and even a small amount of physical damage can severely affect their capacity to function. This is why it's crucial to regularly inspect your transponder key for signs of wear and tear, as any such damage can be the direct cause of a malfunctioning car immobiliser.

Additionally, the internal microchip in a transponder key is also sensitive to environmental and water conditions, which can also hinder its ability to communicate correctly with a vehicle's immobilizer system. Therefore, it is important to keep your key fob and key chain away from a variety of contaminants and water as much as possible.

It's also important to keep in mind that a transponder key is specifically programmed for a specific vehicle, and modifying any of the parts that are sensitive could result in compatibility issues that can affect the functionality of the key. It is best to avoid making any modifications to a key unless you are equipped with the right expertise and equipment.

Fortunately, if you have an old key that is in need of repair or replacement, an expert locksmith will be able to help you out. They'll be able to duplicate your key or create a new one from scratch and they'll be able to program it to work with your specific vehicle's immobilizer system, ensuring that it functions properly. This process isn't as simple as copying a standard car key made of metal, and it requires specialized tools to ensure that the correct information is entered into the software.

Antenna or Receiver is damaged.

The transponder chip in your car key sends an electrical signal to the ECU that allows it to verify whether it is the right one to start your vehicle. If it's not the correct key, the immobiliser system will stop the engine from starting. This is to prevent thieves from gaining access to your car's engine by using a stolen or copied keys.

However, if the signal fails to reach the ECU due to an issue with the antenna or receiver the car won't start. A professional auto locksmith will be capable of helping you solve this issue.

This can be down to a number of reasons such as an antenna that is not compatible or an electrical interference problem. Radio frequency interference could be caused by electrical equipment that is heavy, lighting systems computers, computers, digital devices cable television systems, and transmitters. The coaxial antenna cable could have been damaged or disconnected. This could happen if your pets play around the home, or if the cable is damaged during installation.

Another reason that the antenna may not be working is because the receiver may be too far from the antenna. Connect the receiver to a different antenna and then check. If the error message is still present then you may need to install a better antenna or reroute the coaxial cable.

Antennas don't really go bad however they may get bent or pinched, or they might come loose from the connector, which can cause the RF level to decrease. You should also check whether there is any equipment between the antenna and the receiver, such as a surge protector or splitter because this could influence the signal strength.

If you are using the EEPROM method to program a car key, you'll have to remove specific modules (security components) from your vehicle and then read the "password" from them. This requires a lot of expertise, as there is a chance that the data could be corrupted. A professional auto locksmith can minimise the risk by reading data directly from the module using a special tool.

Faulty Electronics

Many modern cars have security systems that prevent them from starting the engine in the event that they don't have a remote or car key. These systems use transponder chips, RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) technology or immobiliser control units to authenticate the keys or fob when it's inserted into the ignition. It can be an effective method to decrease car crime, but it can also be a problem.

If the security light is solid in your dashboard, it indicates that the immobiliser in your car isn't receiving the signal from the fob or key. This could be caused by a number of different things including the battery in the key fob being depleted to physical wear or damage on the key itself. If you're experiencing this problem, follow the manufacturer's directions to reset the system or consult a professional for help.

When you insert your transponder into your key, the chip sends an alert to the immobiliser system of your car. The code is examined against the codes that are stored on the computer. If the codes are the identical the engine will be turned on and the immobiliser shuts off. If the immobiliser does not detect the signal it will not turn over and you may be stranded.


A variety of issues can cause the immobiliser in your vehicle to not function properly. However, most of them are easy and affordable to fix. The most common cause is a dead or dying key fob battery which can be identified by a quick diagnostic test. If this does not solve the issue, it could be due to other issues in the electrical system of your car that are hindering the function of the immobiliser. If this is the situation, a professional must look over the wiring of your car and look for signs of a damaged or loose connection that could be affecting its performance.

A car key immobiliser can help to protect your vehicle against unauthorised access. Although these systems are generally quite reliable, they can sometimes malfunction and require repairs or replacement. By understanding the most common reasons for these issues and knowing what symptoms to look for, you can be prepared for the smallest glitch.