Adding a key chip to your immobilizer. Cloning an existing transponder. Erasing a lost chip. We program chips for most makes since 1996 — PCF7935, ID46, ID48, Megamos AES, Hitag2, and the newer Hitag AES platforms.
Transponder programming in PSL — chip pairing to the vehicle's immobilizer ECU. Most domestic and Japanese vehicles 1996+ doable on-site.
Cost: $60-140 for programming only (you already have the chip/key). $160-380 for cut blank + program. All-keys-lost scenarios $200-450.
Chip platforms covered: Philips PCF7935 / PCF7936 / PCF7945 / ID46 / ID48 / Megamos AES, Texas Instruments DST40 / DST80 / DST AES, Hitag2 / Hitag AES.
A transponder is a small chip embedded in the head of your car key (or the body of a smart key). When you turn the ignition (or press the start button), an antenna ring around the cylinder reads the chip. The chip sends a unique code; if it matches what the vehicle's immobilizer ECU expects, the engine starts. If it doesn't match, the immobilizer cuts fuel/spark and the car won't crank.
Cars without transponders (pre-1996 mostly) start with any cut key that fits the cylinder. The transponder is what makes a 'thrown-together' key from the hardware store fail to start your vehicle — that's the security feature.
Programming a transponder is the process of telling the vehicle's immobilizer 'this new chip is authorized.' Done via the OBD-II port on the vehicle (usually under the dash) with diagnostic tools that have manufacturer-licensed access codes.
Honda / Acura (1998-2015): Texas Instruments DST40 (older), DST80 (mid-2000s). Migrated to Megamos AES on newer Honda after 2018.
Toyota / Lexus (1998-2015): Texas Instruments DST40. 2016+ switched to DST AES on most platforms.
Ford / Lincoln (1996-current): Philips ID40 / ID46 / ID48 on most vehicles. Newer Ford PATS uses 80-bit and 128-bit cipher.
GM / Chevy / Chevrolet / Cadillac (1997-current): Initially Texas Instruments TIS, migrated to ID46 / Megamos AES for newer models.
Chrysler / Dodge / RAM / Jeep (1998-current): Philips ID46 (SKIM system), newer FCA platforms use Megamos AES.
Hyundai / Kia (2002-current): Philips ID46 / ID47 / ID48.
Nissan / Infiniti (1999-current): Philips ID46 / Megamos AES.
BMW (1998-current): Philips ID33 / ID46 / Megamos AES. CAS3+ and FEM platforms harder than older models.
Mercedes-Benz (1996-current): Megamos AES on EZS / FBS3/4 systems. Some dealer-only.
VW / Audi (2002-current): Various — ID46 / ID48 / Megamos AES. MQB platform (2015+) more challenging.
| Service | Typical Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Add transponder to existing key | $80 - $180 | When the key has a chip cavity but no chip yet. |
| Clone existing transponder | $60 - $120 | Duplicate the chip to a new key. |
| Program new chip (basic transponder) | $160 - $290 | Cut blank + program. |
| All-keys-lost programming (most makes) | $280 - $450 | When no working key exists. |
| Smart key / push-to-start chip pair | $280 - $500 | Plus fob shell. |
| Megamos AES / newer platforms | $220 - $580 | Higher security chips. |
| Erase lost-chip from immobilizer | $80 - $160 | Lock out old keys after replacement. |
| Decision | Mobile locksmith (us) | Dealer | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Programs at your location | Yes | No | Yes IF you have $500-2000 in tools |
| Handles all-keys-lost scenario | Yes (most makes) | Yes | No - usually impossible |
| Time to working key | 30-90 min | 3-7 days | Maybe |
| Cost to add chip to existing key | $80-180 | $140-280 | Tool cost + your time |
| Cost for all-keys-lost program | $280-450 | $425-680 | Effectively impossible |
Real person on the phone in under 2 rings. Locksmith on-site in 15-30 minutes. Honest price before any tools come out.
Call (772) 284-51425-30 minutes for most mainstream vehicles. Honda, Toyota, Ford, GM, Chrysler, Hyundai, Kia are usually under 20 minutes. Luxury European (BMW, Mercedes) can take 60-120 minutes. All-keys-lost scenarios add 20-40 minutes because the immobilizer ECU has to be reset.
Most makes 1996-2024 yes. Exceptions where dealer programming is required: newer BMW (post-2019 on some platforms), some VW/Audi MQB security (2018+), Mercedes EZS on certain models, Ford 2022+ Sync 4. We tell you on the phone whether your specific year/make is dealer-only.
A transponder is the security chip itself — a small RFID chip embedded in any modern car key. A smart key (also called proximity key or push-to-start fob) is a complete keyless device that uses the same transponder technology plus additional sensors so the vehicle detects it inside the cabin without you inserting it anywhere. All smart keys have transponders; not all transponder keys are smart keys.
For some chip platforms yes — older Philips ID33 / ID46, Texas Instruments DST40 chips can be cloned directly to a blank chip. Newer encrypted platforms (Megamos AES, DST80, Hitag AES) cannot be cloned — they have to be programmed fresh to the vehicle's immobilizer. We tell you on the phone which path applies to your vehicle.
By default no — adding a new key to the immobilizer doesn't disable existing keys. If you want existing keys disabled (lost-key scenario), we do an 'all-keys-lost' procedure that erases everything and pairs only the new key. Costs $40-80 extra and locks out anyone with the old key.
Yes — push-to-start vehicles still use a transponder chip in the fob. The chip transmits to a cabin antenna that authenticates the fob, and the immobilizer ECU compares it to authorized keys. Programming follows the same OBD-II procedure as traditional transponder keys.
Transponder programming visits cover all of PSL — driveways, parking lots, dealership service drives. Common locations: Tradition (newer vehicles needing all-keys-lost), Bayshore + Sandpiper Bay (older domestic trucks getting cylinder repair + reprogram), Magnolia Lakes (multi-vehicle households getting all keys reset).
Last updated: 2026-05-17