Practice Test Geeks(CAL) Certified Automotive Locksmith Practice Test
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Key Programming and Remotes Flashcards

7 cards from real CAL practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. Which of the following chip families is commonly associated with Volkswagen/Audi Group (VAG) vehicles requiring EEPROM-level programming?

    Answer: Megamos Crypto (ID48)

    VAG vehicles (VW, Audi, Skoda, SEAT) have long used the Megamos Crypto ID48 transponder, which requires advanced tools or EEPROM access for AKL situations.

  2. What is the function of the key exciter ring (antenna ring) around the ignition cylinder?

    Answer: It generates a low-frequency electromagnetic field to power the transponder chip in the key

    The exciter (antenna) ring energizes the passive transponder chip via inductive coupling at 125 kHz, allowing the chip to respond with its stored code without needing a battery.

  3. A technician attempting to program a Chevrolet key using a Tech 2 clone receives a 'BCM not responding' error. What is the most appropriate next step?

    Answer: Check battery voltage and verify the OBD DLC pins 4, 5, and 16 for proper ground and power

    Communication failures are often caused by low battery voltage (<12V) or poor DLC connections; verifying power, ground, and data pins resolves most 'no communication' errors before condemning modules.

  4. Which security vulnerability does a 'relay attack' exploit on PEPS (keyless entry/start) vehicles?

    Answer: It amplifies the smart key's low-power signal so the vehicle believes the key is nearby when it is not

    Relay attacks use two devices to extend the smart key's LF signal range — one near the key (inside the house) relays to another near the car — tricking the vehicle into unlocking and starting.

  5. What information is typically stored on a Hitag2/Hitag Pro transponder used in BMW and other European vehicles?

    Answer: An encrypted secret key and a rolling counter used in the authentication protocol

    Hitag2 and Hitag Pro transponders store a secret cryptographic key and synchronization counter; the ECU and transponder authenticate each other using this shared secret.

  6. A customer wants a spare key for their 2020 Honda CR-V with Honda Smart Entry. Which component must be ordered and programmed to make a fully functional spare?

    Answer: A key fob with integrated transponder chip matching the Honda 72G/128-bit specification

    The 2020 CR-V uses a smart key with an integrated 128-bit transponder; a compatible blank must be sourced, cut, and programmed via OBD using a tool that supports Honda's security protocol.

  7. What is 'frequency cloning' in the context of remote key fobs, and why is it limited in effectiveness against modern vehicles?

    Answer: Cloning copies the RF frequency; modern fobs use rolling codes that change every press, so a cloned static code stops working after one use

    Frequency cloning captures and replays a static-code transmission, but rolling-code systems discard used codes and advance to the next, so a replayed old code is rejected.