Is PATS bypass tuning legit?

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Cool, I have a key machine, just need the blanks and Forscan and cable now... I've had my '00 Explorer with one key for 10 years now, dealer wanted $150 to make keys like 8 years ago... I've contemplated zip tieing the one key to the back of the switch and making simple keys but haven't gotten that far... getting a couple fobs would be nice too...

Forscan can't disable PATS, right? It just lets you add stuff?

I’m careful about buying chip keys, I’ve heard some of the ones you find for sale can have problems so I always buy Strattec key blanks from a known supplier when I can. There’s two locksmith suppliers I usually buy from. I’ve also bought replacement fobs and the only thing I’ve found with some of the cheaper fobs is that they don’t have quite the range of an official fob. Not really a problem for me. Fobs are their own programming thing and don’t require Forscan.

Forscan can add keys with the extended license, but as of the last I checked, you couldn’t delete individual keys, you had to dump the whole lot and start over if you needed the space or something because I think PATS only has room for like 8 keys in memory. Dumping all the keys is a risky move because if you can’t get two keys to program, you can potentially brick the system. And whatever you do, don’t lose connection while you’re working on it, they recommend using a cable and not a Bluetooth dongle.

Correct, Forscan doesn’t have the capability of disabling PATS. You can program/delete keys, “marry” the PATS and ECU, and that’s about it for the anti-theft stuff.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Ok guys another question...

I called a place about getting the VIN programmed to the PCM....they said the 200 dollars includes PATS programming.

So...since i have one key that works (although its not an OEM key)....if i buy a transponder blank, have it cut at the hardware store, and follow this procedure...

Program the new key to the old PCM...then take both keys to the shop to have everything programmed i should be good right?

This is assuming my PATS functions correctly. Theres a small purple/black wire unplugged in the column that i cannot figure out where it plugs into...i assume its a PATS wire...but im not sure. The transponder is still in there.

 

[fastpakr]

You shouldn’t need to do anything with vin programming.

That programming procedure is for adding a new key in addition to two unique keys already in the system. Basically you present unique keys A and B, then it will add in any new transponder keys you present afterwards as C, D, etc.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

You shouldn’t need to do anything with vin programming.

That programming procedure is for adding a new key in addition to two unique keys already in the system. Basically you present unique keys A and B, then it will add in any new transponder keys you present afterwards as C, D, etc.

You shouldn’t need to do anything with vin programming.

That programming procedure is for adding a new key in addition to two unique keys already in the system. Basically you present unique

Im confused now.

If i get a new transponder key from the dealer cut for the ignition but not programmed.....cant i take and have both keys programmed to the new PCM at the time i get the new PCM mated to the car?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Im confused now.

If i get a new transponder key from the dealer cut for the ignition but not programmed.....cant i take and have both keys programmed to the new PCM at the time i get the new PCM mated to the car?

That should work. The way you presented it above sounded like you were going to use the on-board programming for key #2, which @fastpakr is correct, that doesn’t work because you need two individual programmed keys to access the on-board programming.

I’ll throw a couple other things out. There used to be a locksmith shop on EBay that would cut key blanks if you could send them a good quality picture of the key. Think it was Wolf Security or something like that, they were cheaper than paying a dealer. You still had to do your own programming.

Places like Ace, Home Depot, and Lowes will cut chip keys. They don’t program them, what they provide you with is a “clone” key. They “write” the same chip identifier as whatever key you provide them on the new key, so you have two keys that work then, but according to PATS they are both the same key, so you can’t program your own keys because the system sees them as the same. But it’s a cheaper way to get more keys.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

That should work. The way you presented it above sounded like you were going to use the on-board programming for key #2, which @fastpakr is correct, that doesn’t work because you need two individual programmed keys to access the on-board programming.

I’ll throw a couple other things out. There used to be a locksmith shop on EBay that would cut key blanks if you could send them a good quality picture of the key. Think it was Wolf Security or something like that, they were cheaper than paying a dealer. You still had to do your own programming.

Places like Ace, Home Depot, and Lowes will cut chip keys. They don’t program them, what they provide you with is a “clone” key. They “write” the same chip identifier as whatever key you provide them on the new key, so you have two keys that work then, but according to PATS they are both the same key, so you can’t program your own keys because the system sees them as the same. But it’s a cheaper way to get more keys.

Ah ok.

Dealer said 55 for a new oem cut key. Im gonna just get one cut then take it and original when i get the PCM mated.

I was gonna do the pats delete but this way its cheaper and if this PCM turns out junk too im not out so much if i gotta get another