Two keys?

[Pete99]

My 2003 Ranger has two keys, one square head for the door and one fat head for the ignition.

My previous Ranger (1997) had one square head for both.

Is this a feature or a bug? That is, did someone re-key the doors, or would this ever have been set up this way to start?

Side question: are square head keys ever chip keys?

 

[adsm08]

By "square head key" I am going to assume you mean the style on the left, and by "fat head key" the one on the far right.

No, the key pictured at the far left is never going to have the security chip.

If they don't both open the door and work the ignition then it is likely that at some point the ignition lock was damaged and had to be replaced, which at the time required a new key that came with the lock. That year should have only had one key for both doors and ignition.

 

[jeremysdad]

By "square head key" I am going to assume you mean the style on the left, and by "fat head key" the one on the far right.

No, the key pictured at the far left is never going to have the security chip.

If they don't both open the door and work the ignition then it is likely that at some point the ignition lock was damaged and had to be replaced, which at the time required a new key that came with the lock. That year should have only had one key for both doors and ignition.

New door lock cylinders (aftermarket, old square headed Ford key), PATS for igniiton.

OT...Hate my 93...damn regular cab trucks should have 1 key for doors and ignition! lol

ETA: My '02 had the key 3rd from left.

2nd Edit: This is what I see in my head if someone says 'square ford key': http://www.rarespares.net.au/rarespares/ProductPage.aspx?product=F2184

Common to aftermarket door cylinder replacements/locksmith door re-keys. They used the same door cylinder for decades.

 

[enjr44]

2003 equals PATS. PATS equals keys that "talk" to the computer. No talk, no start. Truck came with two keys that talk (and also worked the doors). If the owner was smart they immediately bought another key and programed it to work with the truck. If you have two keys you can program another (owner's manual). If only one, dealer or locksmith has to do it. And in this state you need proof of ownership to get that done (Oh, that's locked in the vehicle!!).

Example: Daughter has a new dart. Lost key, couldn't find second key. $600 later, for opening door and towing , two keys and programing, she had her car back. Since around 98 losing keys is a big deal.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

New door lock cylinders (aftermarket, old square headed Ford key), PATS for igniiton.

OT...Hate my 93...damn regular cab trucks should have 1 key for doors and ignition! lol

ETA: My '02 had the key 3rd from left.

2nd Edit: This is what I see in my head if someone says 'square ford key': http://www.rarespares.net.au/rarespares/ProductPage.aspx?product=F2184

Common to aftermarket door cylinder replacements/locksmith door re-keys. They used the same door cylinder for decades.

Mine has two keys, it is kind of a neat thing I think. I remember when they all had two keys.

Cool website.

2003 equals PATS. PATS equals keys that "talk" to the computer. No talk, no start. Truck came with two keys that talk (and also worked the doors). If the owner was smart they immediately bought another key and programed it to work with the truck. If you have two keys you can program another (owner's manual). If only one, dealer or locksmith has to do it. And in this state you need proof of ownership to get that done (Oh, that's locked in the vehicle!!).

Example: Daughter has a new dart. Lost key, couldn't find second key. $600 later, for opening door and towing , two keys and programing, she had her car back. Since around 98 losing keys is a big deal.

I keep a unchipped key in my wallet for my DD. If I lock the keys in no big deal, if I lost them I could sit inside the truck and listen to the radio until help got there.

It will crank but will not fire, I had to check.

 

[adsm08]

A lot of locksmiths can't actually program new keys, what they do is "clone" the one you didn't lose. That means while you still have two keys that start the vehicle the computer can't tell them apart and you can't use the customer programming to make a 3rd because the computer thinks the original and the locksmith unit are the same key.

 

[Pete99]

By "square head key" I am going to assume you mean the style on the left, and by "fat head key" the one on the far right.

No, the key pictured at the far left is never going to have the security chip.

If they don't both open the door and work the ignition then it is likely that at some point the ignition lock was damaged and had to be replaced, which at the time required a new key that came with the lock. That year should have only had one key for both doors and ignition.

Yes on the square head, but the fat head (chip) key is the second from right.

Having had a '97 Ranger with one, I felt 99% sure there was no chip technology in the left-hand key, but some lazy dolt at Lowe's refused to accept this (and had some machine that he claimed confirmed this).

I think ultimately I'll get the door cylinders replaced. It's not the inconvenience that bugs me, it's that I'm more loss-vulnerable with needing both (though the clicker largely obviates the need for the door key) than I am with one universal key.

Thanks for all the helpful replies.