Im looking at getting a key off of ebay for my 97 Taurus.. I know I can cut it myself, but as for programming it I have a question. Ive read the owners manual and it says to program the key, I start they key w/ the old key, turn it off and then start it with the new key within X amount of seconds. Ive seen on ebay and other places that you have to have 2 workin keys to do this already. I only have one. Anyone that works for a dealer or locksmith can help me with this?
Andy I can help you with your question. A dealer will have to program your additional key with a scan tool. Also your statement about haveing two keys that are programed and being able to program a third by yourself is true.
So how come my book only says I need one, but some places say 1 and some say 2? Just curious as to why the book itself would be wrong?
even us after market repair techs have to let the dealer do some of them.....I had to let chysler cut my key and program my key fob as I lost the only set of keys I had last year..... We can do about 30 percent from 1995 and up..... Its a good thing to keep honest......but a pain the ass for the honest owners
Hrm, Im wondering if it'd be worth it to just buy the key anyways and try it. I can cut it at work, and try to program it myself w/ my one key I have. If not I can always take it to the dealer and/or locksmith. They key at the dealer is something like $60 or $80 bucks. On ebay its $20 tops
Before I smarted up and learned my car had PATS (it has a aftermarket key already) I cut a key at work and was wondering why the damn thing would start and then die immediately. I must have tried to start it about a dozen times.. lol I'm surprised that didn't mess it up.
Not sure on this, Heard people will put a good key inside steering column and a non-programed key will work.
You can buy the key and have it cut where you like, but with only one, you are still going to have to have a dealer program it. If you have two programed keys, you can program up to six more yourself. At least that is what my 99 F150 owners manual says, you have to have two to do your own programing.....
See thats what's different. Everything I've seen for 97 year models say only 1 key is needed. My buddy has a 02 Expedition and it says you have to have 2. I wish I knew someone that worked for Ford lol
Well Andy, go ahead and get the key and try it. If it doesn't program, it shouldn't hurt anything, and then you can take it down to the dealer and get it done....
Yea, its the "hopefully not hurting anything" thats bothering me. lol I know the key will work if I buy it offline, just not sure if I can do it with one key like the book says. And the local ford place just says "Bring it in, we have to hook it to a machine"
Not sure if all cars work as this, but the key gives a reading to the sensor, the key doesn't have to be in switch just close to it. If you mount it under column shroud in a hidden spot but close enough to have reading picked up, a un programed key will work. Worth a try, also I've seen local locksmiths advertising they can program keys, gonna be cheaper than dealer. Little reminder for owners of newer cars, get a spare done before you only have one key. Also, 250 superdutys have regular key non pats
Yea, i tried to talk the people that I got my car from into paying for another key, but they wouldn't. It only had one key when I bought it, and I bought it cheaper than blue book so I wasnt complaining. I may try the method your talking about, just to see if it works or not.
