There is two elements to the flip key. There is the transponder function, and there is the remote function. On the non-remote key there is an antenna built into the self-contained chip. In the flip, there is a 14 leg surface mount chip that is hard wired to an antenna at the end of the board.
Both of them are passive, and are energized by the transceiver that dwells around the ignition lock cylinder. The transceiver creates a magnetic field which energizes the transponder, which in turn begins to transmit it's code back to the transceiver. It is the same principle that allows you to illuminate a light bulb that is connected to nothing, by creating a strong magnetic field.
It is pretty amazing that you have 3 auto smiths in your area, and not one of them has even a high-security duplicator, much less a machine that code cuts. Where are you from? Maybe I should drop a van in your area!
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you still have a problem with your van. If you only have a range of 3 feet, there are issues. The fact that you now have 3 fobs, and they are all giving you no range, gives confirmation that the problem dwells with the van, not the keys. I suspect the BCM. That would also explain radio problems you might be having.
The Micropod II is substantially more than $3,200, by the time you buy the necessary subscriptions. Nevertheless, all the mainstream aftermarket programmers can do these now. I only mentioned the Micropod as a reference to those who were saying it is dealer only to program these keys. It isn't nor has it ever been dealer only, and with recent developments, any automotive locksmith worth their salt will have the ability to do them, whether they own a micropod or not.
If you want an emergency key, just have someone cut you a flip blade. If none of the locals can cut them, find a competant smith. Text them a picture of your key, and they can cut a flip blade and send it to you. Also, if you bave the card that came with the van that shows the mechanical key code, they can cut it off of that.
Both of them are passive, and are energized by the transceiver that dwells around the ignition lock cylinder. The transceiver creates a magnetic field which energizes the transponder, which in turn begins to transmit it's code back to the transceiver. It is the same principle that allows you to illuminate a light bulb that is connected to nothing, by creating a strong magnetic field.
It is pretty amazing that you have 3 auto smiths in your area, and not one of them has even a high-security duplicator, much less a machine that code cuts. Where are you from? Maybe I should drop a van in your area!
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you still have a problem with your van. If you only have a range of 3 feet, there are issues. The fact that you now have 3 fobs, and they are all giving you no range, gives confirmation that the problem dwells with the van, not the keys. I suspect the BCM. That would also explain radio problems you might be having.
The Micropod II is substantially more than $3,200, by the time you buy the necessary subscriptions. Nevertheless, all the mainstream aftermarket programmers can do these now. I only mentioned the Micropod as a reference to those who were saying it is dealer only to program these keys. It isn't nor has it ever been dealer only, and with recent developments, any automotive locksmith worth their salt will have the ability to do them, whether they own a micropod or not.
If you want an emergency key, just have someone cut you a flip blade. If none of the locals can cut them, find a competant smith. Text them a picture of your key, and they can cut a flip blade and send it to you. Also, if you bave the card that came with the van that shows the mechanical key code, they can cut it off of that.
