What did you do to your Ranger today? (Part Deux!)

[Saddle Tramp]

Thanked it for being more reliable than my wife's Accord.

 

[cbxer55]

In 2018, I put a new NAPA alternator in it. I think the voltage regulator is going bad. When the truck first starts, the volt gauge goes to it's normal place. After about 15 minutes, it drops precipitously, and battery voltage measured with an outside gauge starts falling off rapidly. The stock alternator lasted 20 years. This one lasted four. Damn!

 

[sgtsandman]

Used to 2011 to cut down some tree stumps and get some replacement firewood. For whatever reason, they were cut at the four-ish foot mark. I guess someone didn't want to bend over to properly cut the trees down.

 

[cbxer55]

Changed the alternator yesterday and it's all good again. Got it from NAPA, and opted for their NEW one instead of the remanufactured.

 

[scotts90ranger]

It's still a crapshoot with parts whether new or rebuilt... I changed my alternator with a NAPA unit last year sometime and it lasted 6 months but free replacement since lifetime warranty I think... they didn't question it anyway...

 

[CrabGuy]

I lost my Ranger key, remote fob, gas cap key, and toolbox key somewhere at the grocery store today. I can't believe no one turned them in. Luckily I had a hide-a-key stashed under the grille. I have scheduled a mobile locksmith coming out to cut and program a new PATS key on Tuesday. I reprogrammed a spare remote fob, I had dups of the other keys. I'm not comfortable with only one programmed key. AAA will reimburse me up to $150 for the locksmith which is great. The dealer charges over $200 for the same service and I would have to leave the truck there. I also tried to track down what sounds like a noisy lifter with a stethoscope; no scary engine noises detected but I think I have a exhaust leak somewhere near the cat that sounds worse when hot.

 

[superj]

Drove to lowes and got a small bbq, for hamburgers tomorrow, got some thinner for adhesive, got some light bulbs, got a useless plug that is supposed to let you turn the lamp off from another room, got two saw horses, and some charcoal.

Used the saw horses to hold a piece of that spare granite counter so we have a BBQ area on the porch, upstairs.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I lost my Ranger key, remote fob, gas cap key, and toolbox key somewhere at the grocery store today. I can't believe no one turned them in. Luckily I had a hide-a-key stashed under the grille. I have scheduled a mobile locksmith coming out to cut and program a new PATS key on Tuesday. I reprogrammed a spare remote fob, I had dups of the other keys. I'm not comfortable with only one programmed key. AAA will reimburse me up to $150 for the locksmith which is great. The dealer charges over $200 for the same service and I would have to leave the truck there. I also tried to track down what sounds like a noisy lifter with a stethoscope; no scary engine noises detected but I think I have a exhaust leak somewhere near the cat that sounds worse when hot.

That’s a bummer. I can now program and cut my own PATS keys, but even at that I still try to maintain at least 3 or 4 PATS keys for each. Just easier.

 

[CrabGuy]

That’s a bummer. I can now program and cut my own PATS keys, but even at that I still try to maintain at least 3 or 4 PATS keys for each. Just easier.

I read that once you have 2 working PATS keys you can cut your own blanks and program as many as you want without having to hook up a computer. It's that 1st and 2nd key that requires a computer to program them. If that info is correct I'll do the same as you and keep a few spares on hand. I'm going to check back today and see if the keys turned up but I doubt it.

 

[Snoranger]

That’s a bummer. I can now program and cut my own PATS keys, but even at that I still try to maintain at least 3 or 4 PATS keys for each. Just easier.

How often do you lose keys that you need to have 3 or 4 ready to go at all times?!?!

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I read that once you have 2 working PATS keys you can cut your own blanks and program as many as you want without having to hook up a computer. It's that 1st and 2nd key that requires a computer to program them. If that info is correct I'll do the same as you and keep a few spares on hand. I'm going to check back today and see if the keys turned up but I doubt it.

Yes, that is correct with two caveats. You need two individual working PATS keys to program a third. Places like Home Depot, Ace, Lowes, etc can cut you a working PATS key but it’s a clone key, they program it to clone your original, so even though both will start the truck, you can’t use the clone to program a third key because the computer sees it as the original key and not a separate. Hopefully the locksmith is smart enough to program it as an individual key and not a clone. Forscan and an adapter cable can be used to program keys on your own for most Fords if you get the extra license. You can, however, have as many clone keys as you want, but you have to be careful if you buy blanks, not all blanks accept full individual programming, some are clone only.

Caveat #2 is there is a limit to individual keys that the system holds. I want to say it’s 8 keys and like 12 fobs. If you had 8 individual keys programmed to the truck in its life, you can’t add another individual without deleting keys from the computer. My green Ranger I got with one working key, but when I got into the computer, it showed 5 keys. I don’t know if things have changed, but at the time you needed two good individual keys to wipe the old and start over, so I did. There was no way with Forscan at the time to wipe individual keys, so it was delete them all. You must have two good individual keys for a full wipe though. Anyone who has the other 4 keys that were lost with prior owners no longer work that truck

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

How often do you lose keys that you need to have 3 or 4 ready to go at all times?!?!

I don’t, but with the PATS, if you only have two and lose one, you’re kinda screwed. If you have three or 4 you can easily program a replacement. I always carry two sets of keys on me for whatever I’m driving. One spare set stays secure at home and the other spare secure with my parents. By sticking with this system (the keys I carry on me I keep separate, either different pockets or one set clipped on with a ‘biner and one set in a pocket.) Bout impossible to accidentally get locked out of a truck like that. And there’s keys available for an emergency like when my buddy had to go to my parents and pick up my F-150 and dad’s tow dolly to come rescue my red Ranger when it slagged a piston.

 

[CrabGuy]

Yes, that is correct with two caveats. You need two individual working PATS keys to program a third. Places like Home Depot, Ace, Lowes, etc can cut you a working PATS key but it’s a clone key, they program it to clone your original, so even though both will start the truck, you can’t use the clone to program a third key because the computer sees it as the original key and not a separate. Hopefully the locksmith is smart enough to program it as an individual key and not a clone. Forscan and an adapter cable can be used to program keys on your own for most Fords if you get the extra license. You can, however, have as many clone keys as you want, but you have to be careful if you buy blanks, not all blanks accept full individual programming, some are clone only.

Caveat #2 is there is a limit to individual keys that the system holds. I want to say it’s 8 keys and like 12 fobs. If you had 8 individual keys programmed to the truck in its life, you can’t add another individual without deleting keys from the computer. My green Ranger I got with one working key, but when I got into the computer, it showed 5 keys. I don’t know if things have changed, but at the time you needed two good individual keys to wipe the old and start over, so I did. There was no way with Forscan at the time to wipe individual keys, so it was delete them all. You must have two good individual keys for a full wipe though. Anyone who has the other 4 keys that were lost with prior owners no longer work that truck

Thanks! Good info, didn't know about the clone keys not working for making additional copies. The locksmith specializes is this process but I'll ask him about what you said. I just want a spare for my hide-a-key and one spare for the house. I have a clip key chain that I attach to a belt loop and I think my T-shirt got in the mix. I should put a fishing pole bell on them. I'm 74, losing stuff is becoming much more common!

 

[G8orFord]

The last time I had a key made at Ace, I specifically asked the guy if it would be an individual key or a clone. He assured me that it would be an individual key. I was a little surprised at his knowledge. He was aware of the clone vs. individual issue and even asked if I had other keys to program it myself since they would be useless once he programed the new key. It was almost $300 for the key, a new fob and programming and he connected to the vehicle to program it, so I'm pretty sure he was truthful. This was for an '08 Expedition. YMMV

 

[Snoranger]

he connected to the vehicle to program it,

That’s the big difference.

OEM PATS keys do not get programmed. They’re not smart keys. They just send out a signal. The vehicle is programmed to accept that signal.