Key Fob Replace

[enjr44]

1.Down to one key fob to lock/unlock doors for granddaughter's old 98 Taurus. Need to replace the lost one. How does one do that!! I'm especially interested in how you program the fob/car to work with the replacement fob.

2. Second, I am confused. Everything I read says a 98 Taurus it has a PATS system. But, there is no flashing light on the dash indicating it has PATS. Every PATS equiped vehicle I have ever seen has a flashing light. Can anyone school me.

Thanks, Ed

 

[straycat]

You can buy the key fobs at a few places...the dealership, Ace, Ebay, Amazon. They need to be programed to your vehicle. I bought one extra for my Nissan Rogue on Ebay and it came with instructions on how to do it. I have not done one for a Ranger yet. The Rogue was easy. You can ask the dealer to do it for you if you are there getting another key fob from them. Call and ask the price. Mine was like $50 on Ebay. I bought a spare PATS key at Ace last year for my Ranger (non power doors and locks) and it works great.

 

[sblake01]

You can program the fobs yourself. A 98 Taurus used the same method as on my mom's 99 Contour and several other Fords as well:

1. While sitting the drivers seat, unlock all the doors with the door button.

2. Put the key into the ignition, rapidly turn the key from off to ACC eight times, being careful to end up on the off position the last time. (Some older models only require five times.)

3. The door locks will pop open by themselves, signifying that the programming is ready to transfer to the fobs.

4. Using a fob, electronically lock the car doors. If it locks properly the programming was successful.

5. Repeat with all the available fobs within 20 seconds. When finished turn the car to "off".

 

[adsm08]

Blake is spot on, except for two things.

Most Fords you have to hit the unlock button on the door before you start cycling the key, and you need to go to OFF, not ACC.

You may program up to 8 fobs to a vehicle, so if you have her old one, her new one, and maybe some that go to other Ford vehicles you own on hand you can program them all so that you have more than one spare. Remember, the vehicle recognizes the fobs, not the other way around, so a fob can be programmed to an unlimited number of vehicles. I have one that is programmed to like 12 different cars.


Also, PATS was an option, not standard equipment that year. And some of the anti-theft lights are the little red LED on top of the dash, some are the lock logo on the dash. IIRC the Taurus has a little red LED near the hazard light button.

 

[enjr44]

Thanks!!

My lucky day!

Will order a couple of fobs from e-bay. And, with the programing instructions I can fix it. That will take care of that.

Lucked out on the key. Non-PATS vehicle. Got one make today (will have them make another) and it works great. Really lucked out!

Thanks again for your help, Ed

 

[sblake01]

Blake is spot on, except for two things.

Most Fords you have to hit the unlock button on the door before you start cycling the key, and you need to go to OFF, not ACC.

I meant using the door button; I guess it wasn't clear in the way I stated it. I corrected the other part also. (It's been a while since I did this)