The Ignition Key (Transponder)

The ignition key for theft deterrent equipped vehicles is a typical looking ignition key with a transponder located in the plastic end of the key. The transponder value is fixed and unable to be changed. The theft deterrent system uses the ignition key transponder value to determine if a valid ignition key is being used to start the vehicle. There are approximately three trillion possible transponder values. There are no visible electrical contacts. The keys may be identified by the letters "PK3" stamped into the steel shank of the key. The theft deterrent systems use the following types of ignition keys:

Master Keys
Master keys (black plastic end) are for full access operation of the vehicle. Master keys may perform the following functions:
^ Start the vehicle.
^ Lock/unlock all of the door locks.
^ Lock/unlock all of the storage compartments.