Nashville and Middle TN | 208 Thompson Ln
Lost it, broke it, or it stopped working? We supply, cut, and program replacement key fobs for most vehicles on the road, at our Thompson Ln shop or out at your car.
Get a Key Fob Quote
Send us the year, make, and model. We reply fast during business hours.
What we replace
A key fob is not one part. Which one your car takes decides the price, the programming method, and whether we can do it on the spot. Here is what comes through the shop.
Push to start vehicles that unlock as you approach. Programmed to your VIN, then tested for lock, unlock, trunk, and start.
One piece unit where the blade and remote are combined. We cut the blade and sync the remote together.
Spring loaded blade that folds into the fob body. Often repairable if only the blade or spring failed.
Older setup with a standalone clicker alongside a metal key. Usually the fastest and cheapest to replace.
Sometimes nothing is wrong with the electronics. A battery or a cracked shell is a quick fix, not a replacement.
What changes the price
Nobody can quote a fob honestly without knowing the vehicle. Four things move the number, and we will tell you which ones apply before we start.
If you have one working fob, we are duplicating. If every key is lost, we have to originate from the vehicle, which takes longer and costs more.
A basic remote and a proximity smart fob for a late model European car are not close in price. The part is often the biggest line.
Some vehicles program in minutes. Others need extended security access, and a few require pulling and reading a module.
Bringing the car to Thompson Ln saves the service call. If the car cannot move, we come to it.
We publish our standard rates rather than quoting blind over the phone. See the Nashville locksmith pricing page, or read more about our full range of automotive locksmith services.
Dealer or locksmith
Most drivers assume a lost fob means a tow to the dealer and a wait for a parts order. For the majority of vehicles that is simply not true, and it is usually the most expensive route available.
Before you replace it
A fob that has stopped responding is not always a dead fob. Work through these before you pay for a replacement, and call us if none of them bring it back.
If your second fob works normally, the vehicle is fine and the problem is in the first fob. If neither works, the issue is more likely in the car.
This is the single most common cause. Range dropping off before the fob quits entirely is the classic warning sign.
Most push to start vehicles let you hold the fob against the start button or a marked spot in the console to start with a dead battery. Your manual shows where.
Cracked shells, water exposure, and worn buttons are repairable. Bring it in before assuming the electronics are gone.
Who does the work
Rahim Ezzadpanah
Owner and technician, Armstrong Locksmith Inc.
I have been cutting and programming automotive keys for 20 years, and I still do the work myself alongside Kawa and Sako. When you call the shop you are talking to the person who will be at your car, not a dispatcher selling the job to whoever is nearest.
If a fob is not worth replacing, I will tell you. If your vehicle genuinely has to go to the dealer, I will tell you that too rather than take the job and fail at it.
More about the shop
Makes we program regularly
Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Acura, Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, Dodge, Chrysler, Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Volvo, Mitsubishi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volkswagen, Porsche, Land Rover, Jaguar, Mini, Maserati and Bentley.
This is not an exhaustive list and it is not a guarantee for every model year. Some vehicles, particularly the newest European models with locked security gateways, still have to go through a dealer. Call with your year, make and model and we will confirm before you drive anywhere.
Common questions
Yes, in most cases. When every key is lost we originate a new one from the vehicle itself rather than copying an existing key. It takes longer than a duplicate and costs more, and a small number of vehicles still have to go to the dealer. Tell us the year, make, and model and we will confirm before you commit to anything.
Usually not. We carry programming equipment in the van and can work at your vehicle anywhere in Nashville and Middle Tennessee. If the car can be driven, bringing it to our shop at 208 Thompson Ln saves you the service call fee.
For most vehicles the programming itself runs about fifteen to thirty minutes once we have the right fob in hand. Cutting a blade adds a few minutes. Vehicles that require extended security access take longer, and we will say so up front rather than surprising you.
Not normally. If your current fob still works we program the new one alongside it. If your keys were lost or stolen and you want the old ones deactivated, we can wipe the vehicle and reprogram only the keys you are holding. Just tell us which you want.
In most cases yes, because we buy the fob and do the programming ourselves rather than marking up a dealer part. The gap is widest on European vehicles. We are not always cheaper on every single model, and when the dealer is genuinely the better route we will tell you.
Often yes. Intermittent behaviour usually points to a weak battery, a worn contact inside the fob, or a cracked solder joint from being dropped. All three are repairs rather than replacements, and they cost a fraction of a new fob.
Where we work
We are based on Thompson Ln in South Nashville and cover the surrounding metro daily.
Call the shop with your year, make, and model and we will tell you what it takes and what it costs before you drive anywhere.
