Quick Answer
Transponder keys contain a micro-chip that must be programmed to your car's immobiliser before the engine will start. Lock Repair Satwa cuts and programs transponder keys for all major brands in Dubai for AED 350–700. Our mobile technicians use OBD-based programming tools and chip cloners — same-day on-site service, no dealership required.
Mobile service · Price confirmed before work starts · All Dubai areas
Chip Identification
We use a transponder chip reader to identify the chip type in your existing key. This determines whether cloning or OBD programming is the appropriate method.
Blade Cutting
The new key blade is cut to match your vehicle's lock profile — either from the original key or via VIN-based code if you have no working key.
Chip Programming
We programme the new chip via cloning (for compatible vehicles) or via OBD immobiliser access. The chip's unique ID is enrolled into the car's authorised key list.
A transponder key (also called a "chipped key") contains a small RFID microchip embedded in the key head. When you turn the ignition, an antenna ring around the ignition barrel sends a radio signal to the chip, which responds with a unique code. If the code matches what the car's immobiliser expects, the engine is allowed to start. Without this handshake, the engine will crank but not fire — making transponder keys a highly effective theft deterrent.
Lock Repair Satwa provides complete transponder key services: blade cutting, chip programming, chip cloning and immobiliser bypass (for vehicles where the immobiliser has failed). We stock a comprehensive range of transponder chips — fixed-code chips, crypto-transponders (Hitag 2, Hitag Pro, DST80) and OEM smart chips — to cover vehicles from the late 1990s through to the current model year.
Chip cloning is available for vehicles where the ECU supports it, allowing us to copy the exact chip signal from your original key to a new blank without entering the car's programming mode. This is the fastest method and does not disturb your other registered keys. For vehicles requiring ECU-based programming, we access the immobiliser via OBD and add the new chip's ID to the authorised key table.
All transponder work is conducted with your vehicle present and your ownership documents verified. We provide a 30-day warranty on all transponder key work.
We offer both chip-cloning (for compatible vehicles) and direct OBD immobiliser programming — giving us the widest possible coverage across all makes and years.
From basic fixed-code chips (ID46, ID48) to advanced crypto-transponders (Hitag 2, Hitag Pro, DST-AES), we stock the right chip for every vehicle.
All transponder programming is backed by a 30-day warranty. If the key fails to communicate with the immobiliser within 30 days, we fix it at no charge.
We can read immobiliser fault codes and determine whether a non-starting vehicle is due to a key chip failure, an antenna fault or an ECU issue.
We use a transponder chip reader to identify the chip type in your existing key. This determines whether cloning or OBD programming is the appropriate method.
The new key blade is cut to match your vehicle's lock profile — either from the original key or via VIN-based code if you have no working key.
We programme the new chip via cloning (for compatible vehicles) or via OBD immobiliser access. The chip's unique ID is enrolled into the car's authorised key list.
The new key is inserted in the ignition and the engine is started to confirm the immobiliser handshake is successful and the engine fires normally.
We provide a written receipt confirming the work performed and the 30-day warranty terms.
Basic transponder keys (fixed code) from AED 350; Hitag/crypto-transponder keys AED 500–700. Price confirmed after chip identification.
| Service | Price Range (AED) | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
Transponder Key Cutting & Programming Basic transponder keys (fixed code) from AED 350; Hitag/crypto-transponder keys AED 500–700. Price confirmed after chip identification. 30-60 minutes | AED 350 – AED 700 | 30-60 minutes |
All prices include labour. Final quote confirmed before work begins — no hidden fees. Call +971 52 642 6161 for an instant quote.
Our transponder key cutting & programming service covers all of the following makes. Not sure if your car is covered? Call us and we'll confirm in under 2 minutes.
Most cars manufactured after 1998 have transponder keys. Visual signs include a thick plastic head (housing the chip) and sometimes a small logo on the key. If your car has an immobiliser indicator light on the dashboard, it almost certainly uses a transponder key.
A cranking-but-not-starting condition is a classic immobiliser fault symptom, often caused by a dead transponder chip. We can diagnose this on-site — it may be the chip, the antenna coil, or the ECU. We will pinpoint the fault before recommending a solution.
Yes, for vehicles using clonable chip types (ID46, ID60, ID63, etc.). European brands like BMW and Volkswagen use encrypted chips that cannot be cloned and require OBD programming instead. We advise you on the correct method after reading your existing chip.
If the key's chip is communicating but the car still won't start, the fault may be elsewhere — a fuel pump issue, ECU fault or ignition switch problem. We carry OBD diagnostic equipment and can narrow down the cause on-site.
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Lock Repair Satwa (D90, Al Bada'a, Dubai) comes to you anywhere in Dubai. Upfront pricing, certified technicians, average arrival in 20–45 minutes. Open daily 24/7 including weekends and public holidays.
No call-out fee · Upfront pricing · All Dubai areas covered
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