spare keys
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,622
Likes: 0
From: nevada
coding instructions
My $30 blank from the F dealer included cutting. Brought it home. Grabbed both keys for truck + new blank. Get in truck, close door. Put coded key in ignition and turn on, but not start truck. Wait for theft light to go out, and shut key off. Do same with second key. Insert new blank and turn on, wait for theft light to go off. Then turn key to "off", and pull it out after waiting 30 seconds. You're done!
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,622
Likes: 0
From: nevada
is it your truck?
Exactly Blackstock, the counter guy explained that if you have 2 of your own keys, they figure that the truck belongs to you. If you only have one key, it might not be your truck. This isnt a bad deal, except for the news article I read a few weeks ago, about an inside job (GM dealer guy giving out codes for $$$) to his buddies, and then they get a key made. Go out and steal some expensive rides and off they go to the chop shop.
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
The most common method to steal from dealers is switch the key when the sales person goes back inside to retrieve a brochure. Our insurance companies demand we have a process that locks keys, accompany test drives, photo copy drivers license and never leave keys with customers. 1 in 10,000 ruin for for 9,999 good people.
Originally Posted by baitmaster
Exactly Blackstock, the counter guy explained that if you have 2 of your own keys, they figure that the truck belongs to you. If you only have one key, it might not be your truck. This isnt a bad deal, except for the news article I read a few weeks ago, about an inside job (GM dealer guy giving out codes for $$$) to his buddies, and then they get a key made. Go out and steal some expensive rides and off they go to the chop shop.
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by baitmaster
My $30 blank from the F dealer included cutting. Brought it home. Grabbed both keys for truck + new blank. Get in truck, close door. Put coded key in ignition and turn on, but not start truck. Wait for theft light to go out, and shut key off. Do same with second key. Insert new blank and turn on, wait for theft light to go off. Then turn key to "off", and pull it out after waiting 30 seconds. You're done!
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
The machines the locksmiths use... average price, about 5 grand. got to make alot of keys to pay for the equipment. It's not like the keys are free for them either. Locksmiths are most often cheaper than the dealer. Programming can take up to 800 seconds. Not a long time, but still time. Even if profit was $75.00 a key you would have to program 67 keys to break even. say you do 5 keys a month, it would take over a year to start making $$$ What about updates for the equipment, more $$$.
Also, beware, if you have one key, get a second one made and it is just a cloned key, you still can't program your third key yourself.
Also, beware, if you have one key, get a second one made and it is just a cloned key, you still can't program your third key yourself.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,606
Likes: 151
From: SE Georgia
this thread is a good heads up for people with PATS keys.
I bought my 2003 Mustang with only 1 key. After looking on eBay, I found an uncut OEM Mustang key for $6.95 With a little effort looking around, I got my 2nd key for $12 all said (seller had high s/h).
called the 3 local Ford dealerships.
#1. cut the key for free, charge $40 to program it in 45-60 minutes (dealership I bought my truck from)
#2. cut the key for free, charge $95 to program it in >1 hour
#3. charge to cut the key (don't remember the price), charge $120 to program in ~2 hours
obviously I'm going with #1, but that still seems a little high of a price. especially when all they're doing is cutting a key that takes about 5 minutes to cut and then hooking up some wires and punching a button or 2.
If I had known how expensive these stupid keys were to program, I would have made a spare key or 2 part of the deal when I bought my car. I thought the key was like every other car I've had keys cut for. Imagine my surprise when I went to Wallyworld.
I bought my 2003 Mustang with only 1 key. After looking on eBay, I found an uncut OEM Mustang key for $6.95 With a little effort looking around, I got my 2nd key for $12 all said (seller had high s/h).
called the 3 local Ford dealerships.
#1. cut the key for free, charge $40 to program it in 45-60 minutes (dealership I bought my truck from)
#2. cut the key for free, charge $95 to program it in >1 hour
#3. charge to cut the key (don't remember the price), charge $120 to program in ~2 hours
obviously I'm going with #1, but that still seems a little high of a price. especially when all they're doing is cutting a key that takes about 5 minutes to cut and then hooking up some wires and punching a button or 2.
If I had known how expensive these stupid keys were to program, I would have made a spare key or 2 part of the deal when I bought my car. I thought the key was like every other car I've had keys cut for. Imagine my surprise when I went to Wallyworld.