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NO key, plus PATS equals a real bummer. Truck came with two keys that the ECM is programmed to accept. With two keys you can get another cut and program the ECM yourself to accept (can accept up to 4 or 6 keys). The key has a chip in it that responds to a RF signal with its code (sort of like the new chipped credit cards). The key costs about 40 bucks and nothing to program yourself.Because of the PAT system it takes 2 keys to make 1 key or you have to go to some body that can program a key using a computer.
======================NO key, plus PATS equals a real bummer. Truck came with two keys that the ECM is programmed to accept. With two keys you can get another cut and program the ECM yourself to accept (can accept up to 4 or 6 keys). The key has a chip in it that responds to a RF signal with its code (sort of like the new chipped credit cards). The key costs about 40 bucks and nothing to program yourself.
With one key you can get a shop to program a new key with the same response as the one you have; but, since the computer only sees one code (from either key) you still cannot program a third.
With no key, you have to get two keys cut, and then have the computer programmed to accept them (get three because if you lose one you are back to the one key deal). Dealer or key shop with the right equipment is the only option. And that is costly. My daughter just went through this. Cost her towing, plus keys, plus having key made to fit locks, plus programming. Something like 500 bucks.
The moral of the story, always make a third key for your vehicles with PATS and when you lose one replace it right away. And when you do replace the key and program it (yourself), the lost key will not work anymore.