Iest Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 BE WARNED. I thought that without a key it was impossible to steal a vehicle when it was fitted with a Thatcham Alarm. NOT TRUE. My daughter's 03 Mini Cooper (locked) was stolen from her drive. (She had both keys with her in the house) It was subsequently found with a burnt-out clutch. Esure, the insurance company so beloved by Michael Winner, is refusing to meet the claim because 'no car ....etc can be stolen without a key'. Someone, probably an employee at one of the garages she used in an emergency, has managed to make a copy of her key even though BMW have no record of one being made. Anyone know of a similar incident or a way of making a BMW key? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davenewellhome Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 Modern vehicles use a transponder in the key, this is a micro chip that is "read" by the vehicle when the key is inserted. If the key that is inserted doesn't have the correct transponder the car won't start and in general there is no way round this as almost all cars now have fully electronic engine management including throttle control. If the correct transponder information is not present then the engine management will not switch on fuel or ignition and the engine will not start. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhorsf Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 davenewell@home - 2009-04-08 8:58 PM Modern vehicles use a transponder in the key, this is a micro chip that is "read" by the vehicle when the key is inserted. If the key that is inserted doesn't have the correct transponder the car won't start and in general there is no way round this as almost all cars now have fully electronic engine management including throttle control. If the correct transponder information is not present then the engine management will not switch on fuel or ignition and the engine will not start. D. 1 thing that is done when someone has temp obtained you keys is to remove the chip and put it inside the steering column shroud so when key is turned on it is read then you dont need a key later to fool immobilizer into starting the car.Sometimes done if you bought a car privately they steal it back later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libby Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 Then there must be a way of testing the 'key' when its detached from the car to prove that the chip is missing, whatever the 'chip' consists of. If its the same type of chip that is placed under the skin of animals then the result should be stright forward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 I heard a while ago that if you wrap the key fob in tin foil the transponder should not work so maybe worth a try. Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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