PATS Thread - Program Your Own Keys & Other Useful PATS Info

[Tylus]

The following will be covered: 1. PATS System 2. Purchase a PATS key for "Cheap" 3. Programming a PATS Key 4. Programming a Remote/Fob/Clicker 5. Programming the Door Keypad 6. Using a Fusion Key Instead 1. PATS System PATS stands for "Passive Anti-Theft Security". It is Fords answer to car theft. Inside each key, there is a little RFID chip. When properly programmed, your trucks PCM reads and recognizes the RFID inside the key. Without the proper RFID signal, the ignition system WILL NOT WORK. Motor won't even turn over...basically makes the vehicle one big paperweight. This makes it alot harder to steal a late-model Ford. 2. Purchasing a PATS Key You have 2 options here. 2a) Buy one from the Dealership. Can run $50+ quite easily 2b) eBay! I have bought many many PATS keys from $5-10 shipped over the years. They are plentiful. 3. Programming a PATS Key There are 2 ways to program a PATS key. 3a) You have 2 PATS keys that already are programmed = FREEBIE! 3b) You only have 1 PATS key programmed = Costly Unfortunately, you must visit the Dealership, or a properly equipped Locksmith. They will have to connect a special tool to the PCM and perform the key programming for you. Roughly costs $40-50 (1/2 hour labor) for this service. 4. Programming a Remote/Fob/Clicker No requirements here. Simply have all the clickers with you in the truck and go to town. Extremely easy. If you don't have a clicker, eBay is your friend as usual 5. Programming the Door Keypad Again, super easy to perform...if you have the OEM Factory code. If not, you can visit the Dealership and drop some $$$...or look on the rear wall of the cab. There is a lock control module with the code printed on a white sticker. here is a link. "Easy" way to Remove your backseat 6. Using a Fusion Key So if you are like me, the key + clicker can be somewhat cumbersome. luckily, the Ford Fusion key/clicker will work with our trucks. It is a combo unit that uses the same key & clicker frequencies. I love the one I have for my Expy & Mustang. To use one, follow the seperate programming instructions above for the key and clicker. You have to program each portion induvidually. As for purchasing one...eBay!!! Notice a trend? These keys are not quite as cheap as a normal PATS key however. But the going rate seems to be about $30 roughly. To me, highly worth it. You go from this: To this: Hope this clears things up. If you have any questions, please ask.

[XPerties]

Nice write up.

I can say, I have bought many MANY PATS keys from ebay over the past years. Typically I take the blank key to sears and they cut it for a buck or two. It's always good to have several extra keys on hand.

[ddellwo]

When I buy a new Ford, one of the first things I do is purchase several extra PATS keys off ebay and get them programmed as soon as possible. Since I keep extra keys for my vehicles in several locations, I generally cut the maximum number of keys allowed by Ford and get it over with.

(IE -- I keep a key for each vehicle at my in-laws house in case I ever lock the keys in the car while I'm there or in case I get locked out somewhere locally so they can just grab the set of keys from their place and come help me out.)

I usually use one of the newly cut keys as my "daily" key, and keep the original factory keys in a safe place so I never run into a situation where I can't easily reprogram a replacement key if I need one.

FWIW -- my local Wal-Mart has always been happy to cut my PATS keys for free on their machine, as long as I understand that if they cut it wrong, it's my problem and not theirs. It's never been a problem, as every key has been cut just fine.

[Starkey]

So if the Fusion Key works, does this mean this one will too?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/07-08...Q5fAccessories

Also, does the Fusion key only work with certain years? I have the 04 NBS

[Halverso_99]

Does the Fusion Key work on OBS 99-03's?

[Pitbull260]

will that fusion key work on a 97 f150? eh eh?

[Smokin Lariat]

Good stuff. When I bought my truck in 07 - before I knew about this forum, I found an outfit called Street Keys - they were a big help as only 1 Pats key came with the used truck. (Now Keylessride.com) and then, in 07 they were cheaper than a dealer.

I didn't know about the Fusion key option and I like it - just checked keylessride and theirs are $99 - yikes - but they claim retail of near $160 - double yikes. Guess I'll be looking to ebay!

Great write up!

[Tylus]

no idea about the 1997-2003 style trucks.


My knowledge about the Fusion key to date:

I know it works on all 2007+ Fords, and select 2004+ Fords. Luckily the 04-10 F-150 and 03-10 Expy is 100% backwards compatible.

I know the Fusion key does not work on the Taurus/Mustang line from 2000-2006.


I hate to say it, but you would have to try. For the key, compare part #'s from a 97-03 truck vs. a 04-08 truck. And for the clicker, see if the dealership will let you program it to the truck prior to purchase.

wish I could be more help

[scruffy]

I don't think the actual cut of the keys has changed or the transponders for pats, but one thing i can think of is that the 1997-03 F150's have a guard thing where the key goes into the ignition cylinder, so the newer keys with the fob in them might be too wide to fit in there.

Also, I think that the key fobs are backwards compatible, but not forwards. I was able to program my friends 03 mountaineer key fob to my 2000 F150, but I was not able to make mine work on his. So it might be the same for future ones. I'll give it a shot with his 07 mustangs key fob on my truck and see if it works.

- Erik

[Glen R]

I actually found a flip key/ fob on ebay, listed for 99 to 03. However stated it would not work if the ignition switch has the guatd.

[Pig9r]

Anyone know if the 3-button works too? They are for the 07-08 Edge, Escape and Freestyle.



Great write up BTW Tylus.

[Tylus]

yes, the 3 button works as well. sorry I forgot there were the different styles of "Fusion" key.


there is a 3, 4, 5 button key. they all work. but it is kinda pointless using a 4 or 5 button though

[bluetoy]

I bought one of these http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2007-...Q5fAccessories and it works fine in my 2009 F150. The Trunk button is the panic alarm.

Edit: It looks like this.

[Hitched_Gibson]

As I'm at work and can't wander Ebay, What do the 4 and 5 buttons do. Do I need to worry about crap/fake keys?

[Tylus]

lock
unlock
panic
rear hatch open
rear glass pop


you only need a 3 button, but any of the remotes will work in a pinch. there will just be buttons that don't get used.