There is a battery that allows the key fob, which may be integrated into the key, to unlock the doors etc. There is a chip typically in the key (in the portion that hangs out of the ignition slot) that tells the vehicle basically this key belongs to me and I can start with this key. Otherwise, it would not start or may run for a few seconds and stop. That requires no battery and I suspect it is sort of a proximity thing where the key has to be so close or in the ignition to function. On Jul 10, 2009, at 8:54 AM, Brice wrote:
> > > Does anyone know how an ignition key can open and lock a car? My > wife asked > me that yesterday and I had know answer for her other than it may > have some > kind of battery in it that may get charged as it's in the ignition. > Ours > even has what they call a panic button. > > __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus > signature database 4231 (20090710) __________ > > The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. > > http://www.eset.com > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]