Transponder key needed, where to buy?

[Summers22]

Recently bought a 2001 that came with only 1 transponder key. No power windows or locks if that matters. I can program it myself with Forscan. I prefer a good quality key with the blue oval Ford logo. Any trusted suggestions? Thanks, Jon

 

[rubydist]

In this part of the country, ACE hardware (and some others) will clone your existing key on their machine. You can often buy a Ford or aftermarket key blank on eBay if you really want to program a 2nd key, just get the kid at Home Depot to cut it for you.

 

[Brain75]

I'm going to strongly advise against anything but a genuine strattec or Huf

Ford Chip Key Basics or What Blank Key Should I Buy - The Ranger Station

This article explains the different Ford chip keys and helps you understand which one you need for your Ford Ranger.

www.therangerstation.com

on the 2007 I have to work on, it came with an amazon key that was cloned, it gives me fits and often leads to a crank no start issue.

The basics - that article has everything about the keys but not how to program with forscan.

The basic quick and dirty of forscan. 1) you need a cable, look for v-gate v-linker cable on amazon or aliexpress from the v-gate store (I recommend against knock off stores) 2) download forscan 3) do NOT delete all keys and "start over" - this can lead to a very expensive tow + stealership service. Add new keys first before you delete any keys.

 

[Brain75]

I think I paid $15 ea for 2 keys, $30 for the v-linker cable and forscan is free (use the full extended trial version).... Ace wanted $99/ea and ford started at $250/ea.

so for $60 I got 2 GOOD keys that work instead of 1 for $99 that is flakey.

I ordered the strattec blanks from a reputable vendor on amazon (don't think amazon sells direct)... I had a local ma/pa that does not cut transponder do the cut and they didn't even charge since they didn't provide the blanks or warranty their work.

 

[Summers22]

Good advice and I have been a Forscan user for 10 years now. I'll buy the key and have it cut, then program it myself. I just didn't know of a good brand name to use and haven't fully researched how to program them using Forscan.

 

[Summers22]

Ordered a Strattec 5918997 and will have Ace or Home Depot cut it for me and then will program with Forscan. Thanks for all the help!

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Ordered a Strattec 5918997 and will have Ace or Home Depot cut it for me and then will program with Forscan. Thanks for all the help!

Sometimes they won’t cut a key without programming. I’ve actually run into that problem when a key wouldn’t fit on my key machine.

 

[Summers22]

We have a Do it Best local to me, family owned, I may try there first

 

[Brain75]

I struck out everywhere that would cut transponder keys (clones) cause instead they want to sell you their key. The place I got to do it was a teeny tiny town (population 300) Ace franchise chain (ma/pa) that did/does NOT cut transponder keys.

I did the same thing 20 years ago with my GM, got a real genuine GM key and took it to a "locksmith" - ya know 20 years ago when we still had those. Ma/pa guy who charged me $3 for the cut since he didn't provide the blanks or warranty the work.

 

[flyin-lowe]

A few years ago I bought a Honda accord for my daughter and only had once key. I found a local locksmith who brought his van right to my house, he offered a "factory" key or and aftermarket, he claimed the aftermarket was actually improved over the factory and it was cheaper. She has been using it for almost 4 years now with zero problems. He was able to cut, program, test. etc. right in my driveway. Plus it was cheaper than what the local hardware store wanted for a key.

 

[Summers22]

Well that was easy, went to my local Batteries Plus, 5 minutes and $10.92 later my new Strattec key is cut.

 

[Summers22]

Forscan made quick work of programming the key.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Moving this to electrical…