Program keys

[Awei21]

Hi I have a 1999 ranger that I love. I got it about a year ago and didn't have any problems with it untill someone tried to break in and hot-wire it. They destroyed the ignition and column. I got a column at a junk yard and put it in. I didn't know there was a chip in the key and I had to get it programmed. Is there a way to bypass this? I don't have the cash to get it towed to the dealership and 150 for them to program my key. Please help.

 

[Dirtman]

No way to bypass it, and even if you could why would you even consider that an option. You wouldn't have a truck right now if not for the transponder key security...

Just food for thought...

But you can fix it very easily without a dealer. Take the new ignition cylinder out. Take it to a locksmith with your old key. They can re-pin the new cylinder to fit your old keys. Shouldn’t cost more than 20 bucks or so. Put the new cylinder back in and you are good to go, your old keys will now work and no programming required.

A locksmith can also cut new keys to fit the new cylinder, and they can clone the radio signal from your old keys onto the new ones. The first option is usually cheaper though since you don't have to buy new keys.

A third option if you got keys with the junkyard column is to take both the new and old keys to the locksmith, have them cut 2 new blank keys to match the junkyard ones, then have them clone the rf signal from the old keys onto the new ones they just cut. First option is still usually cheaper but this one is easiest since you only have to bring them the keys and not the ignition cylinder.

Personally I would just take everything you have to the locksmith (all the keys and ignition) explain the situatiom and say "here's what I have, what option is cheapest to make my truck go vroom".

 

[RonD]

+1 ^^^

As said take the "new" Lock cylinder out and take it to a locksmith with your old key and he/she can match the "new" lock to old key's bumps and valleys

The system is called PATS(passive anti-theft system), it is very good at preventing vehicle theft, so no way to bypass its anti-theft function

 

[Dirtman]

This is a perfect example of why it baffles me that people are always trying to disable the PATS security system. I'd much rather replace a busted steering column or ignition than replace an entire truck. Locks and alarms can be broken and cut, you can't beat a transponder system without a flatbed...

 

[Uncle Gump]

Gentleman...

I deleted the duplicate post to keep all this in one place.

 

[RonD]

Downside is Carjacking incidents go up, which is way more dangerous than just coming out and finding your vehicle gone

Portable RFID tag reader...............................
If I can get near your key I can read/copy your transponder number, usually within 12-18", so just a walk by, duplicate the tag then jimmy the lock cylinder
Gone in 60 seconds

I can also read the key Fob signal from 40-50feet away when you press the unlock button, so not hard to just unlock it and take whats inside

 

[Dirtman]

Portable RFID tag reader...............................
If I can get near your key I can read/copy your transponder number, usually within 12-18", so just a walk by, duplicate the tag then jimmy the lock cylinder
Gone in 60 seconds

Yea but let's put that into real world context. You need to know what car the person owns, you can't just follow strangers around getting RF numbers if you don't know what they go to. Second, you better hope they only have one transponder key in their pocket or you'll just get a bunch of nonsense. Third, if you do get the RF number from a portable scanner you still need another gizmo to spit that number out to the PATS transceiver. Finally you still need to deal with the doors, steering wheel lock, and ignition. Granted those final obstacles can be overcome by a drunken baby but still gonna take you more than 60 seconds to do all that work.

And if you're that fancy of a thief, with high tech gizmos, willing to stalk people around to scan codes in their pocket... Why are you stealing old Ford rangers? Come on now, that's like breaking into fort Knox to steal their newspaper.

 

[RonD]

Oh please, you just walk up to someone getting out of the vehicle you want, in a parking lot, and ask them a question while they are still holding their keys
Get license number to get home address
People are very helpful, speaking with a foreign accents helps, they think you are stupid and want to help you

You write the transponder number to a blank RFID tag, thats the same as any locksmith does when they "clone" a PATS key, the less expensive way to get a spare PATS key for your vehicle

Wait for the person to come back to vehicle and copy the Fobs unlock freq. and code, then getting in, and disarming any alarm, is done
You pull out the lock cylinder, put the "clone" RFID tag near transceiver use screwdriver to turn the "lock" which unlocks steering wheel, and starts the engine

So you spend a few hours, waiting, updating Facebook and twitter accounts, moneys good and hours are not too bad

You shouldn't be surprised at how much "old Ranger" parts are worth, rust free parts sell at a premium price

 

[Dirtman]

You've really thought this out...

 

[RonD]

No cable TV in the basement, had to keep my mind occupied, you should get the cable hooked back up........your Ranger looks rust free from what I have seen

 

[fastpakr]

You've really thought this out...

View attachment 61392

That's what I was thinking. @RonD , is there anything we need to discuss?

 

[Dirtman]

No cable TV in the basement, had to keep my mind occupied, you should get the cable hooked back up........your Ranger looks rust free from what I have seen

I'll throw some Legos and coloring books down there when I get home.

 

[RonD]

That would be nice

And almost out of pickles

 

[RonD]

That's what I was thinking. @RonD , is there anything we need to discuss?

Not sure.................is your Ranger rust free

 

[Dirtman]

Wow we may of scared away this new guy. I'm sorry lol, I didn't see this was his first post. The first 2 answers in this thread are good legitimate responses. We just have fun here. We may be strange but there's also the best possible information here.