Duplicating keys
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 70
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From: Springfield
Duplicating keys
My Excursion only came with one key, and I'd like to get a duplicate made. However, according to the manual I need to have TWO keys in order to program a third. With only ONE key, I need to get the dealership to make me a second -- and the dealership is NOT cheap.
Is there any inexpensive way to get a second key programmed? Or must I bite the bullet and pay Ford for it ?
Is there any inexpensive way to get a second key programmed? Or must I bite the bullet and pay Ford for it ?
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
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From: Central Coast of CA
Around here, locksmiths are more expensive than the dealership, but I've read that in other parts of the country, locksmiths are cheaper, so check them out too.
Either way though, yer gonna have to bite the bullet. No two ways about it.
However, once you do get your second key, buy a few spares from ebay (cost is around $6 dollars per for the plain ones) and have them cut for free at Orchard Supply Hardware, if you have one nearby. Then, once they're cut, you can program them yourself.
Stewart
Either way though, yer gonna have to bite the bullet. No two ways about it.
However, once you do get your second key, buy a few spares from ebay (cost is around $6 dollars per for the plain ones) and have them cut for free at Orchard Supply Hardware, if you have one nearby. Then, once they're cut, you can program them yourself.
Stewart
"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,177
Likes: 4
From: Mifflin, PA
If you bought it from the dealer, they should spring for a second key & programming. Should get it done anyway - PO has a key that will fit...at least if you have second key made & reprogrammed, original key won't start the vehicle anymore. It WILL open the doors tho......
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
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From: Central Coast of CA
Originally Posted by alchymist
...at least if you have second key made & reprogrammed, original key won't start the vehicle anymore. It WILL open the doors tho......
The PCM would have to be reprogrammed along with a new set of keys in order for the previous owners keys to be non-op.
When you get a spare key from the dealership, they aren't being reprogrammed along with the PCM, they're just being programmed to be compatible with the PCM (which is still in the vehicle) so the key can start the vehicle.
Stewart
Last edited by Stewart_H; Oct 23, 2007 at 07:38 PM.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 462
Likes: 5
From: Kansas City, Mo
I had to have a second key made when I bought my Excursion. Locksmith was much cheeper than dealer. Bought my key blank of E-bay then had locksmith cut it and program it. Took about 45min and $50. Then bought another key to it to Wal-Mart and they cut it for free, went home and programmed the third key myself. John
"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,177
Likes: 4
From: Mifflin, PA
Originally Posted by Stewart_H
Not true, the keys will still start the vehicle.
The PCM would have to be reprogrammed along with a new set of keys in order for the previous owners keys to be non-op.
When you get a spare key from the dealership, they aren't being reprogrammed along with the PCM, they're just being programmed to be compatible with the PCM (which is still in the vehicle) so the key can start the vehicle.
Stewart
The PCM would have to be reprogrammed along with a new set of keys in order for the previous owners keys to be non-op.
When you get a spare key from the dealership, they aren't being reprogrammed along with the PCM, they're just being programmed to be compatible with the PCM (which is still in the vehicle) so the key can start the vehicle.
Stewart
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 445
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From: Montoursville, PA
Bite the bullet. I just paid the Ford dealer $200 to have a new key and new remote made and programmed for me, my Excursion only came with one as well. The key was $150, and the remote was $50. Yeah, it's not the cheapest solution, but it's easy and then you've got two separate sets.
Interestingly enough, Mercedes key/remote things are only $125, at least on my boss's C43. Go figure.
Interestingly enough, Mercedes key/remote things are only $125, at least on my boss's C43. Go figure.
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Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
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From: Central Coast of CA
Originally Posted by alchymist
Wrong - when the dealer reprograms, ALL key codes are erased, then the key codes of the two keys in hand are programmed in. The "missing" original key will no longer start the car. At least thats the way its supposed to be done. Usually takes about 1/2 hour to erase - reprogram. (Thye key isn't reprogrammed, the key code is programmed into the PCM).
Bro, you need to read what you ORIGINALLY posted, and my response to it. I even quoted it in my post for clarification. Since you didn't understand, I'll try once more.
You stated "if you have second key made & reprogrammed", well, if a dealership reprograms a second key, it won't match the first key. But if a dealership PROGRAMS a second key for you, it will match the first key you have in your possession.
So a dealership won't REPROGRAM a second key for you. They will however PROGRAM a second key for you.
Dealerships can also program a new PATS code into a set of keys, but that also means reprogramming the PCM. That will render any other keys that used to start the car useless.
On top of all that, a PATS key would have to have a program already on it in order to be reprogrammed. If it's blank, then the key is being programmed, not reprogrammed.
Stewart
PS - That first paragraph above was not easy for me to compose, and it's even harder to read! LOL!
Last edited by Stewart_H; Oct 23, 2007 at 10:30 PM.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
Originally Posted by FordCrusherGT
...and the remote was $50. Yeah, it's not the cheapest solution, but it's easy and then you've got two separate sets.
They usually go for $10 to $15 bucks, and they are a snap to program yourself.
Stewart
"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,177
Likes: 4
From: Mifflin, PA
Originally Posted by Stewart_H
Your above post that I've quoted is correct. And that is essentially what I posted when I corrected your first post in this thread, because your first post did not correctly state what I quoted above. (huh? whatd he say?? who's on first???)
Bro, you need to read what you ORIGINALLY posted, and my response to it. I even quoted it in my post for clarification. Since you didn't understand, I'll try once more.
You stated "if you have second key made & reprogrammed", well, if a dealership reprograms a second key, it won't match the first key. But if a dealership PROGRAMS a second key for you, it will match the first key you have in your possession.
So a dealership won't REPROGRAM a second key for you. They will however PROGRAM a second key for you.
Dealerships can also program a new PATS code into a set of keys, but that also means reprogramming the PCM. That will render any other keys that used to start the car useless.
On top of all that, a PATS key would have to have a program already on it in order to be reprogrammed. If it's blank, then the key is being programmed, not reprogrammed.
Stewart
PS - That first paragraph above was not easy for me to compose, and it's even harder to read! LOL!
Bro, you need to read what you ORIGINALLY posted, and my response to it. I even quoted it in my post for clarification. Since you didn't understand, I'll try once more.
You stated "if you have second key made & reprogrammed", well, if a dealership reprograms a second key, it won't match the first key. But if a dealership PROGRAMS a second key for you, it will match the first key you have in your possession.
So a dealership won't REPROGRAM a second key for you. They will however PROGRAM a second key for you.
Dealerships can also program a new PATS code into a set of keys, but that also means reprogramming the PCM. That will render any other keys that used to start the car useless.
On top of all that, a PATS key would have to have a program already on it in order to be reprogrammed. If it's blank, then the key is being programmed, not reprogrammed.
Stewart
PS - That first paragraph above was not easy for me to compose, and it's even harder to read! LOL!
At least thats what I've been told.
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,695
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From: SE Florida
Originally Posted by alchymist
But you keep missing the point, KEYS DON"T GET REPROGRAMMED.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,743
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From: Peoria, IL
The keys have a built in chip that sends out the same signal for the entire life of the key, it can not be changed.
When you program the vehicle to accept another key you are programming it to accept the signal that key puts out, you are not changing the signal from the key.
Just like when you program a new keyless entry remote, as soon as you enter the programming mode all previous codes are erased. You have to have all the keys (or remote keyless entry keyfobs) that you want to work with you or they will not work after you finish the programming process.
So technically if you had a key that worked in two different vehicles (because the cut on the key is the same) you could also program it to work in both vehicles since the PCM is what does all the work, they key has no idea what vehicle it is in.
When you program the vehicle to accept another key you are programming it to accept the signal that key puts out, you are not changing the signal from the key.
Just like when you program a new keyless entry remote, as soon as you enter the programming mode all previous codes are erased. You have to have all the keys (or remote keyless entry keyfobs) that you want to work with you or they will not work after you finish the programming process.
So technically if you had a key that worked in two different vehicles (because the cut on the key is the same) you could also program it to work in both vehicles since the PCM is what does all the work, they key has no idea what vehicle it is in.
"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,177
Likes: 4
From: Mifflin, PA
All true. And when the dealer reprograms with 1 old and 1 new key, those are the only keys that will start the vehicle. The "other old key" will still unlock the doors, but will no longer start the vehicle as I stated before. All the more reason for the dealer to try and get all the keys on a trade in.