A cut key is only half the job. Since the late 1990s almost every vehicle has an immobiliser, and a key that has not been paired to it will turn the lock but never start the engine. We program on site with the van’s own equipment.
What programming actually means
Inside the head of your key is a transponder chip. When you turn the ignition or press the start button, the car interrogates that chip. If the answer is not one the immobiliser recognises, the fuel and ignition stay cut, no matter how well the blade is cut.
Programming writes your new key into the vehicle’s list of accepted keys. On some vehicles it also removes old keys from that list, which is exactly what you want after a key has been lost or a car has been bought second-hand.
What we program
- Transponder keys
- Remote head keys and separate remotes
- Push-to-start proximity fobs
- Replacement fobs after a battery failure or water damage
- Additional spares alongside your existing key
Bought a used car with one key?
Programming a spare is the obvious move, but there is a second one worth taking: having the old keys deleted. You have no way of knowing how many keys existed before you bought it, or who still has one. Deleting the unknown keys and pairing a fresh set is the only way to be certain.
A fob you bought online
We can often program a fob you have sourced yourself, but the outcome depends on the part. Cheap aftermarket fobs frequently refuse to pair, and a fob for the wrong sub-model will never work regardless of who programs it. We will tell you honestly on site whether the one in your hand is usable.
Related services
Locked out, or need a key made in St. Louis? Call (314) 916-6766. Open daily 5:30am–11:30pm. Price agreed on site before any work starts.
Common questions
Why will my new key not start the car?
Almost always because it has been cut but not programmed. The blade turns the lock, but the immobiliser does not recognise the chip, so the engine will not start.
Can you delete keys I no longer have?
On most vehicles, yes. Deleting old keys is worth doing after a lost key or a used-car purchase, so keys you cannot account for stop working.
Can you program a fob I bought online?
Often yes, but not always. Aftermarket quality varies and a fob for the wrong sub-model will not pair. We will check it on site and tell you before charging you for the attempt.
Do all cars need programming?
Anything with an immobiliser does, which is nearly every vehicle from the late 1990s onward. Older vehicles with a plain metal key do not.