Hide Your VIN from Thieves
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 1
From: Clearwater Fl.
I locked myself out of my truck shortly after I bought it. I was washing and vacuuming it out at a car wash next to the dealership. I was wiping down the door trim and accidentally hit the lock button. I had the radio on, keys in ignition (obviously), wallet, cell phone, etc inside. I walked over to the service dept and told them my story laughingly. I convinced them that I was the owner, and could provide anything they could ask for to verify, but all that info was inside the truck. You could literally look out the service dept window and see my truck sitting at the pay vacuum. They agreed to cut me a key from the VIN. So I borrow a piece of paper and pen, walk over, jot down VIN, come back and get new key. Walk back over to truck, get wallet and registration, and return to pay for key cutting service. I think it cost me 5 bucks or something like that. Since that day, I have had a spare key ziptied to the truck in a VERY inconspicuous location that nobody would ever think to look. I actually made it too hard for me to find once. My nephew was crawling around the truck when tailgating, and hit the lock button somehow, and he shut the door locking us out. I finally found the key, but got a little dirty finding it.
I must be cursed with locking myself out of vehicles. I bought a 1994 jeep grand cherokee about 15 years ago, and the VERY day I got it home felt the need to wash/wax it. Same story mostly. Cleaning the door panel, hit the lock button (Jeez I'm stupid) and locked myself out. Had to call a locksmith. He said "you need to get a spare or two for this reason". I said look in the cupholder when you get inside. There sat 4 keys, two normal keys, and two vallet keys. He just laughed and took my 85 bucks.
I must be cursed with locking myself out of vehicles. I bought a 1994 jeep grand cherokee about 15 years ago, and the VERY day I got it home felt the need to wash/wax it. Same story mostly. Cleaning the door panel, hit the lock button (Jeez I'm stupid) and locked myself out. Had to call a locksmith. He said "you need to get a spare or two for this reason". I said look in the cupholder when you get inside. There sat 4 keys, two normal keys, and two vallet keys. He just laughed and took my 85 bucks.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 8,770
Likes: 14
From: The Great North~West!
The key to my daughter's Ford Taurus Wagon not only opens my door, but also starts my ignition,,, and they look nothing alike!!
Kinda nice to know for emergencies,,, but scary as hell at the same time!!
Just makes you wonder how many other keys work on my system??
Kinda nice to know for emergencies,,, but scary as hell at the same time!!
Just makes you wonder how many other keys work on my system??
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 1
From: Clearwater Fl.
About 12 years ago, or so, my grangparents were going to Chicago for the summer. They lived here in Florida for nine months or so, and would go to Chicago for the summer. They stopped off at a gas station along the highway, and sure enough, my grandfather locked the keys in the car. They had a Mercury, Grand Marquis that was almost new. So there they are in the middle of nowhere locked out of their car. Out of nowhere pulls up another Mercury Grand Marquis, same year, and everything. My grandfather asks them if they could try their key to see if it would open the door. Talk about luck, the key opened their door. No one could believe it. So, they got back in the car, and went on their way.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 908
Likes: 2
From: Covina, CA.
Yeah, I'm glad I have the option on mine. I did it once a couple months after getting the truck. Thank god I remembered the code from when the dealer first showed it to me. 
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 1
From: Clearwater Fl.
Not in all cases. I have an 01, and my key pad is a Ford replacement part, but it works on the same frequency as the FOB's. My key pad is stuck on with two sided tape. If my ignition is in the on position, even if it isn't running, mine will not work, and my FOB's don't work either. I think 02's and up do not have this problem. So I can only unlock the doors if the ignition is off. Why they ever did that, I have no idea.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,511
Likes: 5,567
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
not on any of the 5 fords i have with the door keypad.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,752
Likes: 5
From: Stillwater, OK
in 2008 you can no longer lock your doors with the key in the ignition...
if you try to lock the doors using the button on the door panel, they will lock, and then immediately unlock. If my key isn't in the ignition or in my pocket, it is traveling somewhere in a direct line between the two.
if you try to lock the doors using the button on the door panel, they will lock, and then immediately unlock. If my key isn't in the ignition or in my pocket, it is traveling somewhere in a direct line between the two.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 295
Likes: 1
From: Louisiana
in 2008 you can no longer lock your doors with the key in the ignition...
if you try to lock the doors using the button on the door panel, they will lock, and then immediately unlock. If my key isn't in the ignition or in my pocket, it is traveling somewhere in a direct line between the two.
if you try to lock the doors using the button on the door panel, they will lock, and then immediately unlock. If my key isn't in the ignition or in my pocket, it is traveling somewhere in a direct line between the two.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 567
Likes: 0
From: Albemarle, NC
Yeah my previous vehicles (Land Rover and 1997 camaro) were this way. I guess I got so used to the idea that I couldn't get locked out with the keys in the ingition. I now make sure that when applying armor all to the doors, I have them ALL open. I guess twice by my own doing in the 25 years I've had a license ain't too bad. The other time was do to the crumbsnatchers crawling all over my truck when I wasn't paying attention. I wish I had the door keypads. You can add them no?
in 2008 you can no longer lock your doors with the key in the ignition...
if you try to lock the doors using the button on the door panel, they will lock, and then immediately unlock. If my key isn't in the ignition or in my pocket, it is traveling somewhere in a direct line between the two.
if you try to lock the doors using the button on the door panel, they will lock, and then immediately unlock. If my key isn't in the ignition or in my pocket, it is traveling somewhere in a direct line between the two.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Silver City New Mexico
I got an email the other day stating that you can unlock remote entry doors via a cell phone if you lost your keys or locked them inside. You call a person who has the extra FOB and have them hold it close to their cell phone and you hold your cell phone close to the door. They hit the button and your door opens. Haven't tried it yet, but i doubt it works. For one the FOB works on a radio frequency not an audio, so i doubt the phone will be able to retransmit it.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
I got an email the other day stating that you can unlock remote entry doors via a cell phone if you lost your keys or locked them inside. You call a person who has the extra FOB and have them hold it close to their cell phone and you hold your cell phone close to the door. They hit the button and your door opens. Haven't tried it yet, but i doubt it works. For one the FOB works on a radio frequency not an audio, so i doubt the phone will be able to retransmit it.
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