A transponder key has a small chip in the head that answers a challenge from the vehicle's immobiliser every time you turn the ignition. Get that exchange wrong and the engine cranks and does not fire. This is why the key cut at a kiosk opens the door, turns in the ignition, and leaves you stationary.
Typical range: $120–$400 CAD. Ranges are typical for the GTA and depend on the door, the hardware and the time of day. We confirm the price before dispatching.
How the immobiliser works
When you turn the key, a coil around the ignition barrel energises the chip in the key head and sends it a challenge. The chip computes a response using a stored secret. If the response matches what the vehicle expects, the engine control unit is authorised to deliver fuel and spark.
The chip has no battery — it is powered by the field from the coil, which is why a transponder key works indefinitely while a remote fob needs a battery.
Immobilisers became mandatory on new vehicles sold in Canada from September 2007, and were widespread well before that, so effectively any vehicle you are likely to be driving has one.
Symptoms of a transponder problem
- The engine cranks normally but will not start, with no fuel or ignition fault present
- The vehicle starts and stalls within a second or two — a classic immobiliser rejection
- A security or immobiliser light flashing on the dash rather than going out after starting
- A newly cut key that turns the ignition but does nothing else
- Intermittent starting that worsens over time, often a failing chip or a failing antenna coil
Cloning versus programming
There are two ways to produce a working transponder key. Cloning copies the existing key's chip data onto a new chip, so the vehicle sees what it believes is the same key. It is fast, it needs no access to the vehicle's systems, and it works well on a range of older makes — but it requires a working original, and cloned keys cannot be individually removed from the vehicle later.
Programming registers a genuinely new key into the vehicle's memory. It needs access to the immobiliser system, it is the only route when all keys are lost, and it allows old keys to be erased — which is what you want if a key has been lost or stolen rather than merely broken.
We use whichever fits the situation, and we will tell you which one we are doing and why.
Erasing old keys
If a key was lost or stolen rather than damaged, cutting a new one is only half the job. The lost key still starts the vehicle.
Erasing all previously registered keys and reprogramming only the ones you hold closes that off. It is a step people frequently skip and then wonder why a vehicle was taken without any sign of forced entry. Bring every key you want to keep, because they all need reprogramming afterwards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my new key turn but the car will not start?
The key was cut but not programmed to the immobiliser. Mechanically it is a perfect key — it works the lock and turns the ignition barrel. Electronically the vehicle does not recognise it and refuses to authorise fuel and spark. It needs programming, which we can do on site, usually in well under an hour.
Can a transponder key be copied at a hardware store?
The blade can be cut there; the chip generally cannot be programmed there. That is exactly why people end up with a key that opens the door and will not start the car. Some kiosks can clone certain older chips, but coverage is limited and it does not work for all-keys-lost situations at all.
How do I know if my car has a transponder key?
Nearly every vehicle from the late 1990s onward does, and immobilisers have been required on new vehicles sold in Canada since September 2007. Visually, a transponder key head is thicker than a plain metal key because it houses the chip. If you are unsure, give us the year, make and model and we will tell you in seconds.
Can my lost key be deactivated?
Yes, and you should do it. Erasing all registered keys from the vehicle and reprogramming only the keys you physically hold means the lost one stops working entirely. Bring every key you want to keep to the appointment, because they all get reprogrammed as part of the process.
Transponder Keys across the GTA
We provide transponder key programming throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Pick your city for local detail, or call and we will tell you straight away whether you are in range.
Related services
Car Key Replacement
Keys cut and programmed on site for virtually every make on the road — mechanical, transponder, remote head, flip and proximity.
All Keys Lost
Every key gone and no original to copy — key originated from the vehicle itself, on site, without a tow.
Key Fob Programming
Remotes and proximity fobs programmed, replaced and repaired — including fobs you bought yourself online.
Ignition Repair
Worn, seized and damaged ignition cylinders repaired or replaced — usually in the vehicle, without removing the steering column.