Can a key die?

[Dirtman]

Thought about just adding this in the other PATS thread but didn't wanna highjack. My original spare key always worked weird, it had a delay like the computer took longer to read it but it would still start. I lost one of my originals and replaced it, still have 2 good working keys now. But the original spare sometimes doesn't work, the theft light flashes when I try to start it and have to do it 3 or 4 times then itll go. The other 2 start instantly. So... can an aftermarket key just... die? Or suck?

Should I just toss it and get another spare. I dont like having less than 3 keys. None are clones so easy replacement just never herd of a key dying.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Ive heard there are little non servicable battries in them that croak. But im not sure.

 

[Dirtman]

You could be right but from what I understand the ring around the lock cylinder just sends out a low volt radio wave and its enough to activate the chip. No power is actually in the key.

 

[RonD]

No, no batteries in these, its an RFID(radio frequency identification) tag, correct, the "ring" sends out an RF burst that gives the tag enough power to send out it's unique ID number, that the "ring" reads.
The "ring" is actually just a powered antenna, the PATS unit sends out the RF burst and then reads the response

Yes, the tags can fail, so just replace it

 

[adsm08]

Yup, these keys can and do fail. By percent it happens rarely, but in terms of absolute numbers it is quite common.