What is an immobilizer, what is a transponder?
These two words typically refer to the same system. The term used can vary based on vehicle manufacturer. The immobilizer system of the vehicle is an electronic system that searches for a unique digital signature that is transmitted from electronics in the head of the car key. Car keys are no longer just mechanical, with cuts that make what are known as teeth which simply actuate a series of tumblers. Car keys to most newer vehicles have what are called transponder chips embedded in the key head. Now vehicles use the mechanical cuts or teeth of the key to actuate the tumblers which allows the lock to rotate, and then the engine control computer searches for a recognized digital signature from the transponder. If an incorrect code or no code is received, the vehicle will not start. It may crank, but will not start. Whether is does or does not crank varies from manufacturer. Transponder keys, with their embedded electronics are more costly than their previous mechanical counterparts. Add
