Hello everyone, I just purchased a 2011 XLT for my wife and it only came with one key. Do I have to go to the dealer for the second key? What kind of cost am I looking at? I would like to have 2 keys working keys with programmed fobs. I've seen the uncut keys/fobs on eBay for a fair price. Could I get one cut at somewhere like walmart?
Cost for a Second Key - 11 Expy XLT
- Thread starter irod87
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rexster314
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You can get the key cut, but you're going to have to go to a real locksmith or Ford dealer to program the key. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
k9education
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You can program a PATS key yourself, but only if you have two keys. If you can get the Ford True Code software that the dealership uses, that's a different story. 
Gamecock
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From what I've read you can only get a "extra" key if you have two good, already programmed keys. If you only have one key (l only have one too!) then you need to buy another key AND get it programmed either by Ford or a Locksmith that has that capability.
Not sure what the cost is....I've heard people say from $30 to $100+.
I need to look into this myself.
Not sure what the cost is....I've heard people say from $30 to $100+.
I need to look into this myself.
Gamecock
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Good to know. Thanks.
Flexpedition
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As you suspected earlier, you can only add additional keys if you have two working keys to begin with.
2 options for OP: dealer programming & cloning.
A PATS key has a unique RF ID signature. Buy a new key at the dealership and the dealer programs the vehicle to allow the new key's RF ID. My 2008 Expedition can have a maximum of 8 uniquely coded keys (but only 6 remote fobs, go figure). Benefit here is if you lose or have a key stolen, the dealer can remove it from the security module & that lost key won't be able to start the vehicle. For the key and programming, expect to spend upwards of $150 - $200. Get it done during an oil change or other routine maintenance and likely you'll pay less.
Cloning is just that. You have only one key, a Locksmith captures its RF ID and clones additional new keys to mimic that RF ID. You can have an endless number of cloned keys. Pros and cons to both.
Remote control costs vary - Depends on remote start or not, power liftgate or not - which remote you need determines cost - 3, 4, or 5 buttons, remote integrated into key head or a separate FOB. With a keypad on the door, do you really need another remote just to go with the spare key?
I'd personally avoid the ebay/amazon cheap keys and remote fobs due to the huge amount of Chinese knock-offs. I have a Chinese ebay remote that has about a 3 foot range with a new battery. My OEM Motorcraft remote works from inside my pocket from 25 feet away.
I have used wolfsecurityhardware on ebay for Lincoln keys for my LS and Navigator. Both looked the same as factory keys and if you email them a quality pic of an existing key they will cut the new key as well.
As said you still need a dealer/locksmith to program a second key.
As said you still need a dealer/locksmith to program a second key.
Gamecock
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I will probably opt for this route since I have only one key
Thanks for all the information. I think maybe getting a hold of an oem key identical to what I have and then having a locksmith clone mine might be the most inexpensive way. It's my wifes car. I just would like to have an emergency backup. I wonder how one finds a locksmith that does cloning.
rexster314
Full Access Members
Give a call to one of your local locksmiths? Even in our small community, I count 5-6 in my vicinity.
Home depot programmed a key for $70. Better then the local dealer @ $150 + programming.
As for the remote fob, i got one broken and incorrect one from a navi. It didn't open the lift gate. Found the right p/n and got a couple of used ones on ebay for ~$40 each. Programming requires an og ford key and there's plenty of youtube vids and forums for the instructions.
I primarily use our 07 and i stuck w/ the copied key and have not had any issues. My wife carries the oem key just in case but I'm confident now the copied key is no concern.
I've read w/ two oem keys, you can easily program a 3rd and so on oem key's transponder and so it only needs to get cut (which is cheap at any key making place).
As for the remote fob, i got one broken and incorrect one from a navi. It didn't open the lift gate. Found the right p/n and got a couple of used ones on ebay for ~$40 each. Programming requires an og ford key and there's plenty of youtube vids and forums for the instructions.
I primarily use our 07 and i stuck w/ the copied key and have not had any issues. My wife carries the oem key just in case but I'm confident now the copied key is no concern.
I've read w/ two oem keys, you can easily program a 3rd and so on oem key's transponder and so it only needs to get cut (which is cheap at any key making place).
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I purchased our truck locally as well, though the carfax said the car was from central and sourthern california (not San Diego where I live). So there was really no way to find the og owner(s) and the dealer was a small one dealing w/ luxury or semi-luxury vehicles (they had an 08 EL but w/ twice the mileage and we passed). This is pretty common regardless of the dealer/seller for used vehicles. Even my old Mazda 6 wagon, which was a corporate car and I got it from the local mazda dealership, only had one key. Unless you're looking to make a 3rd or 4th (or more) oem key, you can get a non-oem copy from the large hardware stores, key-shops, and most locksmiths. Programming takes ~10 minutes with the key/cut $10 and the programming $60 (homes depot). It don't hurt to ask if the local ford dealership can do one for your for under $100 out the door. The key does turn the ignition both ways and inserts into all key openings w/out any problems.
Home Depot top-left & oem bottom right.
If you need the key fob: pn 3L7T15K601AB
Your car has to have central lock. The liftgate and glass are optional but the fob is correct for 3rd gen Expy's.
Home Depot top-left & oem bottom right.
If you need the key fob: pn 3L7T15K601AB
Your car has to have central lock. The liftgate and glass are optional but the fob is correct for 3rd gen Expy's.
ascotth
Member
new programmed key
home depot $40 and it actually works
home depot $40 and it actually works
mks8882
Member
I agree with this ^^^
If you have two keys, I would highly recommend buying another and programming yourself a third. Then if you ever lose one, you can make another...up to the limit of course. The downside is the lost ones will still work, but what are the chances someone will find it and know it's to your truck?
We lost the spare to my wife's focus and I ended up buying the unit below. It worked to program another key, but died afterwards while looking through the menu to see if it would work on a different vehicle. I think you can even use it to delete lost keys. Check my review, same username.
CK-100 Programmer
I believe the best choice is to buy an OBDII adapter and install ForScan and program the keys yourself. I bought a set for my truck and mustang (both only had one key) off amazon and programmed them in my driveway. It uses the same system that ford uses. Now I have 3 keys for each vehicle and it was about 6 bucks a keys. $24 for all 4.
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