Key won't turn in ignition

[Kaysboat]

[QUOTE=
Is there an X, T, or other letter stamped in the key below the plastic?

Alex.[/QUOTE]

Ya, it sort of looks like a screwed up H

[91waggin]

Good heavens! Are there specific years/models/submodels that have that? Sounds like an excellent feature to defeat/override. :nonono:

Just about every car built after 2000-2001 has this. Good luck defeating it without professional car-thief equipment.

[1987cp]

"Car-theif" equipment? I was thinking more like just removing the feature entirely and bypassing whatever interlock functionality it may have. My car only needs two wires to run, how about yours?

[91grandmarquis]

One of the most significant features of the transponder system is the micro-transponder (transmitter-responder) that is embedded in the head of the ignition key. This allows a vital component of the electronic system to be removed from the vehicle by the driver along with the mechanical ignition key.

The vehicle on-board components include a ring antenna (also known as an induction coil) located around the outer ignition lock, a transceiver (transmitter-receiver) adjacent to the ring antenna, and, depending on manufacturer, a Body Control Module (BCM) or Electronic Control Module (ECM), usually located in the interior dashboard.

When the ignition key is inserted in the ignition lock keyway and rotated, the vehicle electronics and systems are energized. A signal is then sent through the transceiver and to the ring antenna. This signal is broadcast from the ring antenna to the transponder embedded in the head of the key. The key mounted transponder has no battery or independent power source and the transponder is energized by the electromagnetic field from the ring antenna. The transponder will then send a return signal back to the ring antenna which is processed through the system. What is essentially occurring is a by-directional radio frequency communication between the ignition key and steering column.

If the vehicle systems are energized, and no vehicle specific properly programmed transponder is present, the signal being broadcast by the column mounted ring antenna will receive no reply. This will result in vehicle engine functions being disabled.

The transponder system is considered a passive engine immobilizer system and requires no specific action on the part of the driver, other than key insertion and rotation to energize the vehicle.

More info at http://www.forensicauto.net/id63.html

From my understanding the only way to compromise it is to trick the ECU into thinking its getting a return signal, probably cost you more than a new set of keys, unless you are really good at re programming or modding ECUs