Tocapet
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I heard that the dealer charges upwards of $300 to program a new key.
Key Programming
- Thread starter dcsang
- Start date
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99WhiteC5Coupe
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And where did you hear that?
Tocapet
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On the Ford forums, of course.
$70 “labor” & $139.95 for a new key at my local dealer.
dcsang
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The desire for a remote starter accelerated my need for an additional primary key. There is a programming sequence whereby the alarm/remote-start module is programmed using the 2-key method documented in the Ford manual, using one of the 8 available key placeholders. On the 2013 you can program 4 keyhead transmitters and 4 SecuriLock coded keys. My local locksmith charged $65 and I obtained a Ford 'refurbished' key on eBay for half the dealer cost. The seller also has a dedicated site. The key is an original STRATTEC, manufactured for Ford, 4-button transmitter fitted with a new key blade. It looks pretty authentic to me with exact manufacturer markings. The refitted blade is firmly attached and it took the locksmith all of 45 seconds to program.
dcsang
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The local Ford dealer charges $130 for the 4-button transmitter key blank and $150 to program. That's darn near $300 including tax.
A month ago I bought a '16 Explorer Platinum. It came with only one Intelligent key. The dealer offered to program another for $450. I declined and in the same breath said "cuz I can do it myself for nearly nothing with FORSCAN"
They gave me a second, programmed key for free.
Tocapet
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So that's $209.95 plus tax. Here, that would be $227.27. For one key. No thanks.
Gregg Eshelman
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I bought two keys off eBay for my 07, dirt cheap. I used FORscan with an inexpensive ELM327 clone USB OBD2/CAN device to program the second key then did the 2 key method to program the third key. A local hardware store cut them for free.
So there's one slot occupied by a lost key. To program a 4th I'd have to use FORscan to wipe ALL the key programming then use it to program at least two keys.
Why there's such a labor charge is from the second year of PATS on, there's an enforced wait time when programming each key. Getting set up and waiting through the wait to do the first key could take up to 20 minutes, around half of that just sitting there thumb twiddling waiting for the vehicle to say it's ready. Then you have that long again to wait to do the second key.
I used FORscan for one key because it was July and super hot outside and I didn't want to sit in the giant tan oven one second longer than I had to.
When you program a key from a 3rd party, TEST IT IMMEDIATELY AFTER PROGRAMMING. If it won't start the vehicle you don't want to wipe all the programming. You have to have two working keys programmed, even if you don't have both keys. If all the program slots are used and you only have one working key, then you have to do the reset and hope your bargain keys are compatible. Get stuck with only one key that works and a reset system, then you get to pay the $$$ to a dealer, or buy more keys to have cut, and hope they're compatible.
So there's one slot occupied by a lost key. To program a 4th I'd have to use FORscan to wipe ALL the key programming then use it to program at least two keys.
Why there's such a labor charge is from the second year of PATS on, there's an enforced wait time when programming each key. Getting set up and waiting through the wait to do the first key could take up to 20 minutes, around half of that just sitting there thumb twiddling waiting for the vehicle to say it's ready. Then you have that long again to wait to do the second key.
I used FORscan for one key because it was July and super hot outside and I didn't want to sit in the giant tan oven one second longer than I had to.
When you program a key from a 3rd party, TEST IT IMMEDIATELY AFTER PROGRAMMING. If it won't start the vehicle you don't want to wipe all the programming. You have to have two working keys programmed, even if you don't have both keys. If all the program slots are used and you only have one working key, then you have to do the reset and hope your bargain keys are compatible. Get stuck with only one key that works and a reset system, then you get to pay the $$$ to a dealer, or buy more keys to have cut, and hope they're compatible.
Expy00
Active Member
Wife and I bought for her an '17 Expy EL previous rental that only had one key. I bought two more on Ebay after reading feedback. I knew I want to enable the trailer brake controller so I bought the
OHP ELMconfig Forscan OBD2 Adapter with MS-Can & HS-Can Switch for Ford DIY Diagnostics on Windows
Sold by: OHP Tools for 30 bucks. I was reluctant to erase all keys so I just added one using ForScan and free extended license. Later I found I could add OEM remote start so I bought two OEM remote start keys
KeylessOption Keyless Entry Remote Control Fob Uncut Blank Ignition Car Key Remote Start for CWTWB1U793 (Pack of 2)
Sold by: KeylessOption $44.95 on Amazon.
I did have to delete all keys programmed and start over since there were now 4 keys. I followed the instructions in this forum and ForScan site. It took several tries for the remote start to programming correctly but it did work. But getting the car to start with the key was never an issue. I have also added driving lights to the Expy and programmed a friend's '18 F150 to remove the Auto Stop/Start feature.
My local Locksmith cut the new keys for me.
Here is a link to PATS programming on the ForScan.org site
https://forscan.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=839
OHP ELMconfig Forscan OBD2 Adapter with MS-Can & HS-Can Switch for Ford DIY Diagnostics on Windows
Sold by: OHP Tools for 30 bucks. I was reluctant to erase all keys so I just added one using ForScan and free extended license. Later I found I could add OEM remote start so I bought two OEM remote start keys
KeylessOption Keyless Entry Remote Control Fob Uncut Blank Ignition Car Key Remote Start for CWTWB1U793 (Pack of 2)
Sold by: KeylessOption $44.95 on Amazon.
I did have to delete all keys programmed and start over since there were now 4 keys. I followed the instructions in this forum and ForScan site. It took several tries for the remote start to programming correctly but it did work. But getting the car to start with the key was never an issue. I have also added driving lights to the Expy and programmed a friend's '18 F150 to remove the Auto Stop/Start feature.
My local Locksmith cut the new keys for me.
Here is a link to PATS programming on the ForScan.org site
https://forscan.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=839
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