Transponder Key Programming

Key turns but the car won't start? Most car keys made since the late 1990s carry a transponder chip the car has to recognize. We program new and replacement chip keys at your vehicle.

What a transponder key is

A transponder key has a small chip in the plastic head. When you turn the key, an antenna around the ignition reads the chip and the immobilizer decides whether the engine may run. If the chip isn't recognized, the car won't start, or it starts and dies after a second or two — even when the blade is cut perfectly.

When you need it

• You want a spare key while you still have one that works

• A hardware-store copy opens the doors but won't start the car

• The security or key light flashes and the engine won't stay running

• A key was lost or stolen and you want a replacement

• An ignition, immobilizer or engine module was replaced and the keys need to be programmed again

How the job goes

• You call or text the year, make and model (the VIN helps) and your location.

• We confirm the right key and chip for your vehicle and give you the price before any work starts.

• At the vehicle we verify ownership, cut the blade and program the chip to the car — through the diagnostic port or the vehicle's own procedure.

• Some vehicles require a security code (PIN) for programming; that code is only requested after ownership is verified.

• We test the key: start, doors and remote buttons where the key has them.

What to have ready

• Photo ID plus the registration or title for the vehicle

• Every key you want to keep using — on many vehicles, programming erases keys that aren't present

• The VIN, if you can get it (windshield corner or driver's door jamb)

Bought a key online?

We can try to program a customer-supplied key, but we check the chip type, FCC ID and blade before we agree to it. Many online keys use the wrong chip or can't be programmed, so there's no promise until the key has been checked.

FAQ

Can a cheap key copy start my car? Only if it has the correct chip and that chip is programmed to your car. A blade-only copy will open the doors but won't start a vehicle with an immobilizer.

Can you do it if I have no working key? On many vehicles, yes — that's an all-keys-lost job. See All Keys Lost.

Do I need to tow the car to a dealer? Usually not. We bring the programming equipment to the vehicle. If a vehicle truly needs dealer-only work, we tell you that on the phone before we come out.

Related services

• Car Key Replacement & Programming

• Key Fob & Smart Key Programming

• Spare Car Keys

• Immobilizer & Key Diagnostics

• GM VATS Keys

• Completed Jobs

Serving Vancouver, Camas, Battle Ground, Ridgefield, Washougal, Longview and the rest of Clark County, WA.

Mobile service — we come to you. Call or text 564-888-1172 with your year, make, model and location.