I would like to know how the chip works!! Looking at the key, it looks like a normal key to me with just a plastic handle with the logos. Anyone know the technical details of how this thing works?

 

because the saleslady told me that the keys were $50 each and $30 to program..

lets see.. $7 or $80... hmmmm..

is that ford emblem really needed? some people dont kike to throw away money. to each his own...

 

the truck has a sensor in the ignition switch that "looks" for the presence of the correct code that is on the chip before it will allow the vehicle to crank.. it's part of the Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS for short).

hope this helps!

 

So there's no use getting the key in the pocket knife they sent to us cut, if it won't start the car, it's pretty useless. Bummer.

 

thanks clonetek. I spoke with a buddy of mine who is a Corvette fanatic and apparently GM implements this too. He explained how the things works too.

Thanks again,
RickC

 

Ricekicker,
According to the couple of dealers I talked to you can buy the key from Ford but it is not already programmed for your specific vehicle. That's where they get the big bucks.

I would definitely pay $12 for the original key but I would not pay the programming charge of $100 or more to have it programmed for my vehicle. When my wife was looking to get a key made for her 02 Expy, Ford wanted $150 to make her a new one. Ouch!!

The article someone posted on how to do this yourself was extremely beneficial and I plan to buy some blanks from Ford have them cut and then program them myself for spares.

BTW, I don't consider myself cheap but I have my limits and would rather spend my hard earned money on more fun stuff like mods for my truck than for a spare key.

 

yeah, its not being cheap when money is tight already, and its either spend a ton of money on a key...or get a more beneficial mod. Anyway, you can get the key from the dealer for about 12-15 bucks if they don't mark up the price on you. If not htey are on ebay from 10-20 bucks a key. Then either have the dealer cut it, or take it to a hardware store and tell them to cut it, makes no difference. they key already has a chip in it, and you can program it yourself. it says how to right in the manual, i read it once before, and its really easy to do.
its something like put your original key in, turn it to on, turn it off, take it out, do it to your other original key, then your new key. thats not exactly right, but it was rougly around there...just to give you an idea...but its super easy to do.

I'll get a HD key eventually since us 00 owners got cheated out of that one

 

Here's the link to the exact process for progamming your new key. It's in an earlier post. Tells you how to do it for older Fords and newer ones. With the newer ones you need 2 keys.


http://www.fordf150.net/howto/patskey.htm

 

hey i was pretty close

 

Hey guys and gals.......I can get you your "PATS" keys, with a programming sheet included, however with some of the 1998 and all of the 1999 and newer FORD PATS vehicles you will need both of the orginal keys to program the 3rd.

Lets get a GROUP purchase together and I WILL get the keys you need......even the HARLEY logo ones. I have a avenue for these keys, sometimes we use them for our REMOTE STARTS at the shop. If I see some good interest in this I can get good pricing let me know!!

 

HuskerF150, I would be interested in a couple Harley keys and a couple regular ones for my wife's 02 Expy. Let me know if you do a group purchase and how much they will be, how to pay you, etc.

 

if its less than 12 bucks including shipping for a key, i'm in. i'll probably take 2 then...but if not, i'll just get em from the dealer.

i just emailed the guy i get alot of my mods from to see what he can get them for me. he usually can get me stuff cheaper than the dealers so i'll see what he can do for me