'01 Ranger OBD reader to program my own key? Only have 1.

[dosercody]

Title says it all I have one key, would like to just get whatever OBD reader I need to program my own key. I see links for newer Fords, anyone know what special reader you need to be able to program your own, when you only have 1 key? Thanks in advance!

 

[sheep herder]

Forscan https://www.therangerstation.com/forums/index.php?threads/pats-programming-with-forscan.173705/

 

[RonD]

Yes +1 ^^^
ForScan

Make sure the new 2nd or 3rd key has been cut correctly and can turn on the ignition switch BEFORE starting re-programming
Because you must program in 2 key minimum, and the first step is to ERASE all keys in PATS memory
So if you only have 1 key that can turn on ignition, you will be stuck until new keys can be cut correctly
Stuck as in no start/no drive


You can also have your working key CLONED at almost any locksmith
Your PATS key has a unique RFID tag number that it broadcasts when you turn the ignition on
That number is received by an antenna looped around the key slot and sent to PATS module
PATS module compares that number to the 3 or 4 numbers it has in memory
If number matches one in the memory engine can be started

A locksmith can read that number and then "write it" to a Blank RFID tag key, then cut that key to match your lock
Key is CLONED

PATS doesn't know the difference, as long as the number matches one in memory it will work
You can have 10 cloned keys, doesn't matter, its not a "fake key" or a bad key, its just a duplicate key same as we have been using for years, well since the first car keys were invented, lol


Forscan is great for many things besides adding a key, but if you need a spare key quickly Cloning is an option