This many be a silly question--

I just bought a 1998 explorer to use as a work truck, and several other people need keys to it. It has 2 "transponder keys" that must be used to start the truck. If any other key (such as one made at a hardware store ) is used, the fuel system seems to be disabled.

Is there any way to reprogram or disable the key transponder feature? I realize that it's an anti-theft device and probably hard to defeat, but I don't want to pay $20 for each key (that the various users will lose) nor do I want to walk around with a giant black plastic key on my keyring. Given that the truck is used for work, sometimes in remote areas, I would also like to disable a feature that could disable the truck if it goes haywire. Given my history with other explorers, as they age, the electrical systems do not age gracefully. I'd like to prevent the obvious malfunction/stranding well before it happens.

 

I bought a 98 explorer any only got one programmed key. Had to pay the dealer $75 to program the second. Go ahead and buy at least one more $20 spare and use the two you have to reprogram it. Otherwise if you lose one of the ones you have, you will have to have the dealer do it at a charge of one hour.

I did all the research I could find, including the cd rom based service manuals, and it seems that the transponder and main computer are paired together, so that not only can you NOT disable the transponder, but if you replace it, you must have it synchronized with the main computer. I work in elecronics/information systems, and have tried to figure a way to circumvent the system, just for my own convenience, but gave up. I believe the transponder sends a code the the main processor, which it decodes before enabling the fuel system. It's not simply a matter of one connection going hot or low to enable it. There may be a way to enable the fuel system with a separate circuit, but you would still have the THEFT light flashing, and possibly other features not functioning.

Winford

 

I don't want to be a smart a__, but did you consider keyless entry when you bought the vehicle. We use that on ours, when leaving it somewhere when a different driver picks it up. Before we got the keyless entry model, we always had a magnetic hide-a- key box somewhere on the vehicle.

 

Found several transponder keys listed on E-Bay with instructions on how to program. Do a search on ebay for "Explorer key"...

 

I have heard of people removing the chip and taping it by the lock cylinder then using a generic $1.00 key to start it. Somehow their chip broke off the key. They didn't realize that they needed it so they went down and had another key cut. When the key didn't work they tried taping the little chip to the lock cylinder and the Explorer started. Maybe try getting a generic key cut and then while holding the Ford key close by try and start it. If it works you could probably find a way to secure the chip to the lock cylinder. Of course it could pose problems if the chip ever fell off the lock cylinder when an employee had the vehicle out in a remote location and wasn't aware of the chip.

 

Thanks for the info. That's what you get for buying used. It's hard to see why anybody would want to steal this particular truck-- it has absolutely no options. I hope that as it ages, this system remains reliable!

 

got a copy,any copy hold original key on steering collum .try to start with copy,you may have to move original a little to get copy to work .mark spot where it works .break original key,crasyglue the top part to steering collum above where key goes in now any copy will work,or reprogram new keys no big deal it in the owners man and they cost 6 bucks from ford,you just need two original keys to do it

 

 

Old thread but maybe will help someone you can pull the little transponder out of key and epoxy it to underside of steering column. It's just a little glass capsule in plastic of key

 

Anyone with the right tools can cut you some new keys that work with PATS. Or you can disable it within the ECM, but that may not be legal.