Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us
Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network
HomeAnnouncements
Discussion Groups
By Brand
BMWChevroletDodgeFordGMHondaLexusMercedes-BenzNissanPeugeotToyotaVolkswagenOther Brands
By Topic
4x4 CarsRVsDrivingMaintenance & RepairCar AudioCollectible Cars
Country Specific
Australian ForumsUK Forums
ArticlesAuto InsuranceBuyingCars & TechnologyMaintenanceMiscellaneousSafety
DMV Resources
Related Topics
MotorcyclesBoatsMore Topics ...

Car Forum / Ford / Ford Cars / October 2006

Tip: Looking for answers? Try searching our database.

Transponder Key?

Thread view: 
Enable EMail Alerts  Start New Thread
Thread rating: 
The Gaylord 2006 - 15 Oct 2006 04:14 GMT
I got this 99 windstar a few days ago, and today went to get a spare key
cut, I took it to walmart and he says that its a transponder key, and only
the dealers can cut me one, is there a way around this?  How much will this
key cost to be cut?  Now im scared to death of losing my only key.

Thanks
Ollie - 15 Oct 2006 04:45 GMT
Some locksmiths can cut and program it for you oryou will have togo to the
dealer

If you have 2 keys you can do program a 3th additional key yourself

>I got this 99 windstar a few days ago, and today went to get a spare key
>cut, I took it to walmart and he says that its a transponder key, and only
>the dealers can cut me one, is there a way around this?  How much will this
>key cost to be cut?  Now im scared to death of losing my only key.
>
> Thanks
The Gaylord 2006 - 15 Oct 2006 05:05 GMT
> Some locksmiths can cut and program it for you oryou will have togo to the
> dealer
>
> If you have 2 keys you can do program a 3th additional key yourself

I've only got 1 key, how much are we looking at, its going to be expensive
isnt it *cringe*
Ollie - 15 Oct 2006 06:52 GMT
IIRC  the key is about $30 and programming varies from around 0.5 to 1.0 hr
labor

>> Some locksmiths can cut and program it for you oryou will have togo to
>> the dealer
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> I've only got 1 key, how much are we looking at, its going to be expensive
> isnt it *cringe*
Tom Adkins - 15 Oct 2006 05:31 GMT
> I got this 99 windstar a few days ago, and today went to get a spare key
> cut, I took it to walmart and he says that its a transponder key, and only
> the dealers can cut me one, is there a way around this?  How much will this
> key cost to be cut?  Now im scared to death of losing my only key.
>
> Thanks

 Your vehicle is equipped with the PATS system or Passive Anti Theft Security system.
It will not start without a key containing the correct transponder programmed to the car.

 Transponder keys are pricy (~$35 or more) and the dealer has to "program" the new
key (or possibly a locksmith, some are able)to the vehicle using specialized equipment
if no or only one good key is available. The process takes about an hour so you will
pay an hour labor at the dealer. (anyone can "cut" a new key, it just won't start the
vehicle). The blanks are available from suppliers other than the dealer so shop around.

 Now, if you had 2 good keys and wanted to program a third, you can do it yourself in
in less than a minute. The procedure is in the owners manual. The rule is to keep 3
programmed keys on hand so that if 1 is lost it can be replaced rather inexpensively
and easily. The "lost" key can also be deleted from the vehicle to prevent someone
else from using it.

 This sounds like a real PITA and I understand your frustration, but the reasoning
behind this design is really quite simple. It's a theft deterrent. A car thief can
obtain the key cutting code for your car fairly easily. This procedure prevents him
from easily programming the key to start your car and drive away. Anyone with 2 keys
in hand is likely the owner. If it was easy for you, it would be cake for a car thief.

 Obviously at this point hind sight is 20-20, but you should never buy a PATS
equipped vehicle without at least 2 working keys. If there is only one, the second
(and even third) should be negotiated into the purchase price.
 If you bought this vehicle from a used car dealer, it couldn't hurt to approach them
with this and ask them to help you cover the cost of the second key since they didn't
bring it to your attention. They might do it to make you happy, although they may tell
you to get lost. You won't know if you don't ask.
anon@idirect.ca - 15 Oct 2006 16:23 GMT
Here you go,

Program A New PATS Key

http://www.obd-codes.com/howto/patskey.php

> I got this 99 windstar a few days ago, and today went to get a spare key
> cut, I took it to walmart and he says that its a transponder key, and only
> the dealers can cut me one, is there a way around this?  How much will this
> key cost to be cut?  Now im scared to death of losing my only key.
>
> Thanks
Jim Warman - 15 Oct 2006 18:51 GMT
I really like the "See your dealer if to confirm this." statement. I've
never before seen this method of programming keys..... at the dealer we use
a scan tool (I mean 45 minutes to program one key? And we aren't sure it
will work???} - how in Gods name can we say if this guys method will work
when we never use it?

It takes about twenty minutes to make security programming changes... our
shop charges a half hour (scan tools are spendy - somebody has to pay for
them... it might as well be the people that "use" them). The twenty minutes
is if the tech doesn't say "Oops!" and have to start from scratch.... in our
shop that's tough for the tech - and only a minor delay (no extra charge) to
the customer. A shop that charges one hour has got some pretty big
cajones....

FWIW, if the locksmith (or who-ever) screws up, he'll say "Well, after you
pay me for what I've done, you can tow it to the dealer"... we don't have
that luxury..

> Here you go,
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>>
>> Thanks
Mortimer Schnerd, RN - 16 Oct 2006 12:50 GMT
> I got this 99 windstar a few days ago, and today went to get a spare key
> cut, I took it to walmart and he says that its a transponder key, and only
> the dealers can cut me one, is there a way around this?  How much will this
> key cost to be cut?  Now im scared to death of losing my only key.

Where'd you get the Windstar?  When I bought my last Taurus it only came with
one key.  I went back to the dealer where I got the car and managed to ask the
owner of the dealership (recognized him from their cheesy TV ads) if only one
key was the normal situation.  He immediately directed a subordinate to fix me
up with another key and fob.  Didn't cost me a penny.

Signature

Mortimer Schnerd, RN
mschnerdatcarolina.rr.com

 
Sign In
Join
My Latest Posts
My Monitored Threads
My Blog
My Photo Gallery
My Profile
My Homepage

Start New Thread
Enable EMail Alerts
Rate this Thread



©2009 Advenet LLC   Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.