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If you have TWO keys, it's very easy to program a 3rd key. A lot of car owners manuals detail the process as well, or you can find videos on youtube.
However, if you have only ONE key, the method doesn't work. It's a security precaution to keep someone who has your key (tire shop, mechanic, valet) from making a quick copy, and then stealing the car at a later date.
When you have ONE key, you need to go to the dealer, or find a locksmoth who can do RFID chipped key systems. They are usually much cheaper.
My advice, if you have two keys now, look into how to make a 3rd key. You can usually buy a key cheap off ebay, cut it at walmart to match the other two, and then program it yourself. But like I said, this only works if oyu have two keys already programmed to the car.
Tried to program an extra key for my 2002 F-150 that I got from a locksmith when it was new. I couldn't program the key so I went back to the locksmith. Seems like Ford had / has the ability to not allow duplicate keys to be programed in the trucks computer settings. The locksmith was able to hook up his computer to the truck and change the setting to allow duplicate keys. Worked fine after that.
I have a car with a chip and lost my 2nd key, so if you make a copy of the key my dealership says is $450 to replace! There's gotta be a better way. They also say 24hrs for programming and I don't have enough time not to have a car for that long.
Any other solutions for this?
Might be cheaper to change the ignition to non chip if possible.
I know you can make a spare for just the door for $2 or so at a good locksmith shop. You just have to be careful not to try to start the car with it because I heard it can damage the system.
Not sure how it works for Ford, but GMs of that year and tier worked with resistors, but were commonly called chip keys. I over overroad mine when my key broke in the ignition. Dealership wanted 2k to replace the ignition and cut 2 new keys. I ended up getting the resistance, going to RadioShack (yeah it was that long ago) and splicing up resistors to the main Ignition lead. Then a $50 Autozone switch
replacement. Doesnt take the "chip" anymore.
Depends on the car. Chrysler you need a $40,000 machine to do the programming. Dealers charge $110 for programming and $250 for the key fob. You can get refurbished Keyfobs from Keyfob.com or something like that for a lot cheaper, but then the dealer can just tell you it is defective and cannot be programmed. Key fob.com may deny it is defective, but there is nothing you can do. Some locksmiths have the machine, but they charge even more than the dealer.
The hard part is getting the key cut. Lowes, Home Depot will chase you out with firearms if you ask about it. I don't know why, but they get realllllllllllll upset.
Home Depot and Lowe's are not locksmiths. They have a minimum wage kid who was given five minutes' instruction on how to operate the key machine.
To have keys made, the correct person is a locksmith. To have unusual keys made, the only person to rely on is a locksmith.
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