A few quick questions about my 98 Expedition.

[buzzcon]

Question #1
My Expedition can with one key and it does not work for the door locks. My guess is the locks were rarely used because of the keyless entry and are corroded. My question is, can I program a new transponder key myself? I have read conflicting procedures, but most say you need two working keys to self program a new one. I bought 2 new remotes because I had only one and was worried about getting locked out of my vehicle if the remote batteries died. Plus now the wife has one on her key chain now.

Question #2
My Expedition has a bad Actuator on the front differential and I am waiting for the part to come in the mail. My mechanic has the front differential locked so when I turn on the 4 wheel drive, I have 4 wheel drive. I am planning a trip of about 275 miles one way, so I want to know if I don't get the replacement Actuator, would it hurt the front end to take a trip with the front axle locked into 4 wheel drive? Or should I slide the Actuator back and unlock the differential?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[DRHaulsee]

#1 98 is the change year from Pats 1 to Pats 2. Early 98's only need one key to program a second key. The transponder can be programmed easily but all of them have to be programmed at the same time. My 98 with a November 97 build date came with 1 key and a dead transponder. I now have 2 working keys and 2 working transponders just using the procedures in the manual. All of my locks could not be opened with the key. PB blaster fixed that.

#2 Unlock the differential!

 

[buzzcon]

Thanks, I was planing on doing that. Still hoping the new one shows up so I can install it before my trip. I hope some penetrating oil will help with the door locks. I have had bigger fish to fry with this Exp.

 

[buzzcon]

All of my locks could not be opened with the key. PB blaster fixed that.

Finally had a little warm weather and I got around to spraying some WD-40 in the locks. I just recently bought a new can and figured I would try that. It was also recommended by the locksmith who cut my new transponder keys.

After only one application, all the locks work great! I thought they would be a little more difficult.