Don't kill me, Ive searched. I got 1 ford key with my truck. Had a locksmith make a second key which works fine but not a original ford key. Reading about making a spare myself I keep seeing must have 2 original ford keys. I have 1 ford and 1 aftermarket? Am I good to go?

 

Did the locksmith clone the programming of your old key into the new one or did he copy the mechanical cut then program that new key into the system using his plug-in programmer?

If he didn't spend ten minutes plugged into the truck, he probably made a clone.

It doesn't matter if the replacement says "Ford" on it or not as long as it has a compatible RFID chip inside it.

 

Yup, if you brought the key inside and they never hooked anything up to the truck itself it is a cloned key. It can not be used as one of the 2 needed to make a copy of the RFID setting in the truck itself.
The trucks computer will see those 2 keys as the same key, so it just thinks your trying to use the same key to try to make a copy.

If they did bring a scan tool out to the truck and hooked it up that way, then it should be seen as a second key and you can make copies yourself once you have the RFID key cut.

My mechanic has the scan tool to be able to do this (it is a very specific scan tool that not all mechanics have).
I got a new RFID key off e-bay for $7 (make sure the key has an "S" or "SA" stamped on it) and brought it to the local hardware store to have it cut for another $4.
Brought the cut key to him and for $40 he programed it to my truck (he usually charges $50 if you bring the key, but he gave me a small break since he replaced my engine). Took about 30 minutes total. He charges I think $80 if you don't bring a key.
I have made 2 more copies myself with the 2 keys I have.

From what he told me, what he has to do is erase all RFID codes stored in the trucks computer and then reprogram the computer with the old key and the new one. After that you can use the built in process to add new keys yourself (up to 8 keys I believe?).

 

yup, he plugged his programmer into the truck, took about 10-20 mins.

 

that's right. usually what I'll do when programming a key is ask the customer if they lost a key, just want an extra key, or only had one key to start off with. this will lead me whether I want to erase all known keys or just program an additional key.

 

Update…
I ordered a fob and transponder key on ebay, got the fob to program fine. Took my key to ace to get it cut and the kid miscut it. At least they made me a spare key to lock my doors with , but ill have to order another blank i guess.

 

Just wanted to add one more thing to my post. I finally got 2 new transponder key blanks and had them cut at Aubuchons, for free. I had them cut one just so I could be sure it would not be ruined, and it fit perfect. Brought the second one in and got it cut. Had 2 new keys in my pocket and wasn't sure which one I had already tried so I stuck them in one after the other. Great, both fit and turn the ignition, but now my original key will not start the truck… I gave it a few minutes and It started. I was worried somehow it had tried to program the new keys and delete my original key. Now I am happy