Lost Car Keys

Ever wondered how a locksmith can make keys to a car when all keys have been lost?
Ok so probably have never really thought about it, but its not all as easy as you might think.
First of all the locksmith needs to make the actual physical key that will turn in the lock. That is assuming that the car has a key. Some cars don't even have a key in the traditional sense anymore.
The locksmith will firstly try to obtain a code to cut the key. The code can be obtained from 1, a log book 2, the car dealer or 3 off a door lock. Once the key code is obtained the locksmith will look up the code and cut the key.
If no code is available the locksmith may either pull a door or boot lock out of the car and take the lock apart and decode it, or read the combination through the keyhole. In many cars a door lock only has a part of the code. The code will have to be entered into a computer to obtain the complete code for the car.
In older cars this is all that is necessary to make a key.
Newer cars also have an electronic immobilizer system. The Immobilizer system usually consists of a Reader around the lock, A transponder chip that is embedded in the head of the key and an immobilizer box or ECU that contains the computer to decipher the code.
For a locksmith to be able to make a key to start the car he must also be able to add the transponder chip into the key with the correct code.
One way to do this is to place the correct Chip into the head of the key and to reset the car using the car's diagnostic port. A special programmer is used to reset the car immobilizer system to accept the new chip and code.
Not all cars can be reset and programmed through the diagnostic port. Many cars need to have the immobilizer computer replaced or have the box removed for reprogramming. The Locksmith has to take out the immobilizer and read the code off a chip with an EEPROM reader. That code can then be used to program a new transponder chip that will start the car. A locksmith that can perform this task will be able to make a key to a car much cheaper then a car dealer who can only replace parts. Many Toyota cars can only have keys made by using this process.
Once the transponder chip has been successfully programmed and the key cut the car is ready to go.