Can someone assist me with this very strange problem? My car came with a security feature where it includes a resistor pellet on the key. Obviously this is linked to a comparator that determines if I have the right key or not.
A few months ago my car's security system gave me problems and in the process of repairing it they needed to change the key cylinder and give me a new key (and a spare key).
The new key was a different cut (because of the new cylinder) but contained the same value resistor pellet as my old one. I know the resistor values were identical because I measured the old one, the new one, and the spare key.
Last night my car wouldn't start. After having it towed, the repair guy asked if I could bring my spare key to him. Then the car started!
He took the key I've been using (that didn't start the car) and measured it to be 6k while my spare key (that started the car) was the 7.5k my car's security system likes. He did some research and heard the key can become "de-magnitized". I'm in electronics and know resistors burn and open, they never change values especially becoming less resistive. Assuming the "de- magnitizing" theory to be true, I thought about what I did from when the key worked till it failed. The only thing I did was put the keys in my pocket along with my cell phone.
If you look at the list of resistor values for keys, the 6k is the value before my 7.5k. I find this fact to be facinating but yet I have NO idea how a resistor pellet could become less resistive. I also inspected the pellet for cracks or chips and didn't see anything.
Is the resistor pellet made from some other material that can become less resistive? If anyone can answer this, you'd allow me to sleep better.
Thanks in advance!