Automotive Lock & Transponder Systems Flashcards
7 cards from real CPL practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Automotive Lock & Transponder Systems flashcards as text
What does the term 'rolling code' refer to in remote keyless entry systems?
Answer: A code that changes with every button press to prevent replay attacks
Rolling codes (also called hopping codes) change with every transmission, preventing thieves from capturing and replaying the signal.
Which tool is most commonly used to decode automotive lock bitting without disassembly?
Answer: Lock scope or borescope
A lock scope or borescope allows a locksmith to visually inspect the wafer or pin positions inside an automotive lock to determine the bitting.
What is the primary function of a VAT (Vehicle Anti-Theft) resistor pellet in GM ignition keys?
Answer: It provides a specific resistance value the vehicle ECU reads to allow starting
GM's VATS system reads the resistance of a pellet embedded in the key blade; an incorrect resistance value prevents the engine from starting.
When cutting a high-security automotive key with a sidebar, which additional dimension must be accounted for?
Answer: The sidebar warding cuts or milling
High-security keys with sidebars require additional sidebar cuts or milling on the key blade that must match the sidebar pins inside the lock.
A customer's transponder key starts the car sometimes but not always. What is the most likely cause?
Answer: Weak or failing transponder chip
Intermittent transponder failures are commonly caused by a damaged or failing chip that only communicates with the antenna intermittently.
What does 'cloning' a transponder key mean in automotive locksmithing?
Answer: Copying the transponder's ID to a new blank without accessing the vehicle's ECU
Cloning copies the transponder's fixed or encrypted ID to a compatible blank chip, allowing the new key to function without dealer-level ECU programming.
Which automotive door lock actuator type uses a rack-and-pinion mechanism driven by an electric motor?
Answer: Motor-driven actuator
Motor-driven actuators use an electric motor with a gear reduction and rack-and-pinion assembly to move the door lock linkage.