So my truck sits at home rotting while I'm stationed overseas in the Navy.. I lost both sets of keys three months ago all within two weeks while I was home on leave. My folks got ahold of a reputable locksmith recently and he made me a programmed key .. But it still doesn't work. My truck is an 05 F150 XL with the 4.2l V6. The truck had added PL/PW before I got it (aftermarket).. The locksmith told my folks in a phone call that all that we need to do is find the alarm kill switch and reset it (NOT the ignition kill switch). I'm pretty sure the alarm system is something other than from the factory.. no clue the brand.. Has anyone encountered this and can help? Thanks a bunch in advance

V/R
MASN Griffin, S.C.
NAVSTA GTMO- Security

 

Best thing to do is have your folks get it towed to a Ford dealer.

 

I was really trying to avoid that.. The service department near home is retarded because they said they couldn't do it stating that the VIN's on the 05's are tricky.. I guess I could have it towed farther to another one..

 

Thank you Sir for the selfless act of serving ....

Lost all keys? That's not good. Wish I could add but only fix I can think of is via a Ford Dealer. Not gonna be cheap as the tools costs.

I can again see why it is that I have minimum 4 sets of keys to any vehicle I possess .... and why when I am driving, at least two sets are with me.

 

Does the dealer HAVE to have your truck in order to make keys or can they do it with the VIN or other numbers? If they don't HAVE TO have it then you should be able to have any dealer make them and mail them to you. Might try Tasca Ford since they seem to be a bit more reasonable than most stealerships.

You could try asking our Ford rep here on the list and asking them.

 

They likely can "cut" a key that will open doors ....
.... but I'm not so sure they can "program" it so it'll start the truck without having the truck present?

 

In order to program a third key you'll need to also have the other two originals, or take it to the dealer.

 

cant help your problem, but this is the reason i bypass the transponder on my vehicles.
then make several keys.

 

How do you do this?

 

you will need a working chipped key to perform this mod.
the first step is to make several non-chipped copies of the ignition key.
you might want to disconnect the battery in case of accidentally triggering the airbag. then remove the steering wheel plastic cowling to access the ignition switch.
on my '5 F150 there was one screw retaining the outer plastic ring that encircles the outer end of the ignition switch. remove that & carefully pull that assembly free of the ignition switch leaving the wiring intact. tape the chipped key inside the plastic ring to send the transponder signal. reconnect the battery temporarily to test your other keys for ignition operation.
you may need to readjust the key in the ring to make it work. when you are satisfied that the ignition works fine with any key, disconnect the battery again.
tuck & secure the taped assembly up inside the cowling and reassemble the cowling.
reconnect the battery & now share those extra keys with family or friends to eliminate the need for the added expense of chipped keys & programming.

 

Interesting -- not sure I would want to override my system but it's good to know that it can be done!

Every time I buy a new car I just bite the bullet and purchase as many keys as can be programmed at one time for that vehicle and get them set-up so I never run into a situation where I'm caught in a pickle. I also use the re-cut keys as my everyday ones and keep the factory keys unused and in a safe place so I always have them if I need them.

I think this usually costs me around $150.00 when I buy the car, but I figure that's a lot cheaper than the time and frustration of someday having to tow the vehicle to a dealer because of a lost set of keys!

 

I can't speak for sure on the F150, but I know with my old Ranger you had to have a minimum of two (2) original keys in order to program additional keys to your vehicle. There is a procedure where you cycle the ignition switch a certain way, remove the first key, add the second, cycle, remove, insert third, etc. etc.

When I lost one of the key sets to the Ranger years back my only option was to take it to the dealer as they had to access the computer to program a new security code. It was about a $ 500 bill by the time I bought a replacement key, fob and paid the labour. I immediately went out and purchased a couple of extra keys and programmed them myself. I also cut a non-transponder key that I keep at work that will open my doors but not start the truck should I ever lock my keys inside....

 

That's why I like my door keypad. I lock my keys in my truck all of the time, but on purpose so that I don't have to worry about losing them while I'm at some location for an extended period of time. (airport parking, boat ramp parking, amusement parks, etc).

 

I realize that that is convenient but it's probably not a smart thing to do. If someone got into your tuck by breaking out a window and then found your keys, they would free to drive off in it. The only time that I might leave keys in the truck was if I was at the beach and had no other place to safely keep them.

 

All true, however they'd have to find the keys which would be quite an endeavor for a thief looking for a quick smash/grab. The car alarm going off ought to be enough to rouse some attention from bystanders. I don't just throw the keys in the console or in a cup holder.