Spare Keys (rant)

[lindsay_elaine]

Does it SERIOUSLY cost $115 to make a spare key for my '03? I understand it's electronic and they have to program it, but how can it possibly be worth that much - OH wait, if I order two the second one is ONLY 29.95!! If I walk into a different dealer and flash them my boobs, do you think they'll give me a discount?? I apparently can't cut my own key unless I have two already to program the new one, UGH

I guess when I lose my one Ranger key I'll just have to drive the Ranchero with it's four extra ignition keys that only cost me the price of the blanks. Thanks Ford

 

[flyingbrick]

Thats what I hear every time, $50 for the key $50 for the program. Some locksmiths will do it for 50, just look around. unless you want to do it the back way, in which you can just use any ford key.

 

[mini274]

or theirs a guy in north carolina that does it for 45 you tell him your vin and tell him how many and you get them in 3 days buddy of mine did it for his 02 focus

 

[adsm08]

Its mostly the labor. The scanner takes a set amount of time to log itself into the PATS functions as a security feature. If it didn't any joe could sit there in the parking lot and program a key with their legally purchased scanner. If they have to sit there for 10 or 20 minutes they aren't as likely to try it. Once you are in there though, you can program as many keys as the thing will accept without the wait time again. So you have a key blank, figuring out the tooth code, time for the tech to cut the key, time to log into the PATS system, and frequently the guy gets stuck waiting for a scanner b/c most dealers have 1, 2 if they are huge or very lucky, but once you've done all that once it takes a lot less time to make the second key, so for that second one you are basically only paying for the blank. I get that it ain't cheap, but as a tech I gotta say, keys are one of my least favorite things. It seems like its a fast way to make money, but more often than not it takes more time than it pays to actually get the thing cut and programmed, and half the time once you go thru the whole song and dance you gotta do it again b/c it didn't take the first time.

 

[mhughes165]

i had a local locksmith come out and rekey my 96 gt with the security bullshit, new ignition, two keys, and programming was 125, wasnt bad when they came to me

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Do you currently have 2 keys? Or just one?

If you only have 1 key you have to take it to the dealership and they have to program it with their scanner.

If you have 2 keys, simple insert one of your original keys into the ignition and turn to the run position, wait for the theft light to go out. Remove the key, insert one of the new keys and turn to run, wait for the theft light to go out. Put in the other original key, turn to run, wait for theft light to go out. Insert another new key if you got one made and repeat again.

Wait about 15 seconds, then start the vehicle with all of the keys including the new ones just to make sure it worked.

 

[LittleBigFoot]

Just don't loose your keys... and learn that special way to brake in that we're frowned on for talking about.

And a push button is much cooler then turning a key. By far.

I still want a rip cord for my 3.0



WAIT! Boobs?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

I still want a rip cord for my 3.0

Just put a crank on it sticking out the front bumper like the olden timey cars!

 

[PaleBlue90]

Just don't loose your keys... and learn that special way to brake in that we're frowned on for talking about.

And a push button is much cooler then turning a key. By far.

I still want a rip cord for my 3.0



WAIT! Boobs?

Just put a crank on it sticking out the front bumper like the olden timey cars!

hahaha he will have to prime it like a lawn mower

 

[TheTopher]

I always knew women would flash people for high dollar amounts but isn't this just a little bit backwards?

 

[country0001]

It used to be the only thing u needed to start a Ford was a screwdriver. I miss those days. My work truck is an 06 Colorado and I had to have a key made for it. It was 35 bucks. I thought that was ridicuous.

 

[Ozwynn]

try $50 for the remote, $110 for the key, and $50 to program the remote and the whole thing only worked for 1 week......... the remote just plain doesn't work and all I can do with my fancy new minivan key is unlock the doors....... plus when Chrysler did all this they "accidentally" turned off the anti-theft delay timer and the timer on the lights and when I pointed this out (took me 3 weeks to discover that they were turned off) they told me it would cost $100 to have them turned back on...........

 

[erocka1982]

just be happy you dont have an audi or a vw. they got those inverted cut keys. plus that pocket knife lookin flip out key. i lost one for my golf... geeez.... i decided to go without!

 

[Fx4wannabe01]

It's totally possible she's in the same situation I'm in.....only got 1 key with the truck. I've been putting off that $150 or whatever they quoted me to get me a spare working ignition key. Been told the PATS system requires 2 keys to add another....and if there's only 1 key trying to add a second, total system reboot. something liek that.






boobs? where?

 

[Mark_88]

If I walk into a different dealer and flash them my boobs, do you think they'll give me a discount??

Hmmmm...almost worth going out and buying a key cutter...

You can, of course, always go to the junkyard and find a vehicle with two sets of keys...and take the locks from that vehicle...except the ignition, which you might have a bit of difficulty taking apart...but it would still work out cheaper than what the dealerships are asking...