What are transponder keys?
The biggest change to the Automotive Industry in recent times has been the introduction of the built-in immobilie system on all cars manufactured since 1995 (late 94 in some cases). This involves placing a microchip in the head of the key, which is a miniature transmitter and receiver. There is an engine management system in the engine compartment that can recognise the signals transmitted from the key. If the correct signals are not detected the engine will not start.

How does the Microchip work?
An electronic chip with a permanent memory which contains an electronic code. The transponder has an antenna with which it can interface with an external electronic control device. Through the antenna the device emits a fixed frequency signal. The transponder receives the signal and then transmits its lectronic code, by means of special frequency modulations, to the control device which is able to process the code. The transponder has no external input power supply (passive system) - it receives the energy necessary to work from the signal emitted by the external control device (inductive coupling between the control device antenna and that of the transponder).

A1 Locksmiths can provide a shell key for your broken Toyota key, this is a much cheaper option than replacing the whole key as we can reuse the internal part of your key which has all the programming already in it and put it into a new shell and recut the metal stem to give you a new key.