99 Explorer need to by pass key chip module PLEASE HELP!

junk yard doggie · #1 04-16-2010, 06:18 PM

99 Explorer

Ok guys. I have a friend who ran over the set of keys with the lawn mower yesterday. It chewed the plastic chipped part all up, and now the truck can't be started. It was the only set, which is another long story. Now I have to winch the truck up on to my trailer by hand on Monday or some how bypass the key chip module. The Ford dealer won't make a key with out having the truck up there. It would much easier for me to by pass that module and drive it to the dealer. It's like 130 some bucks for new key, yikes! Can any one help me out here? Is it just putting power to the coil or what?

way2old · #2 04-16-2010, 06:45 PM

here is a lot more to it than just bypassing the chip. The key comunnicates information from the anti-theft module to the PCM, GEM, and other modules. They all work together. A locksmith can cut the key, but it still needs a Ford IDS to program the key. What dealer are you dealing with? Might be able to pull strings. Or bring me the key and truck and I can program it for you.

junk yard doggie · #3 04-16-2010, 07:03 PM

Hi way2old

I haven't checked out any replacement keys yet. I guess The dealer is saying they need the truck to reprogram things. I've had keys made off the vin number in the past at my father in laws dealer, and they still wanted a copy of my drivers license for their records. But then again none had the chipped keys. The dealer is Dutches in Mount Sterling, know any one there who can get the real story? My wrecker is out of commission right now, and the winch is burned up on my car hauler trailer. It will be me using a come along and chain to winch this thing up on the trailer. If I have to do it, I have to do it.

way2old · #4 04-16-2010, 08:53 PM

Dutch's is a little out of my range. I know Lexington, Nicholasville and Versailles. Might have some people that work at the shop that know someone. Will check Monday if I can remamber. Check your PM.

shorod · #5 04-16-2010, 09:05 PM

Some of the larger locksmiths now have the tools to program the keys on-site. Around here there are a few with mobile setups that visit the used car lots and make/program transponder keys where the place only has one key. You might check some of the locksmiths in your area to see if there are any that will make house calls, no doubt for an added fee. There's a good chance it may still be less expensive than the dealer will charge and you can avoid the hassle of getting the Explorer to the store.

-Rod

way2old · #6 04-17-2010, 10:18 AM

Problem with that is that the locksmith can not find Peasticks

shorod · #7 04-17-2010, 10:42 AM

I almost asked if that was seriously the name of a town. Is it a suburb of Fiddlesticks?

-Rod

junk yard doggie · #8 04-17-2010, 07:38 PM

Ha Ha. Yep, right next to Fiddlesticks. The Explorer is over in Jeffersonville. The only locksmiths I know of are all in Lexington, a house call would be way expensive to drive that far. I saw some of the transponder key blanks on e bay for 5 to 10 bucks, but they still need to be programed. I'll just end up doing my part and towing it up to Dutches on Monday morning. It won't be too bad. The truck is parked in a spot where I can roll it out of the parking space and down on to the trailer. The trick is not to run it off the trailer into the back of my truck.

junk yard doggie · #9 04-19-2010, 07:06 AM

Hello

No go for this morning. My friend doesn't have enough money to get the key and have it programed. Dutches is saying 130 some bucks. I can get the keys for 11.85 each with free shipping from some one on e bay. The keys look factory with the Ford logo on them and everything. I need to go down there to Dutches and get the real story. My friend is just not good with this stuff. She was so worried that they wouldn't want to use any one else's keys, etc, etc. I'm going to have to go down there and grill some one hard for the real story. I'll talk to the service manager and not some flunky. My friend just doesn't under stand when you pay some to do a job like this, you are the boss and they work for you. You call the shots, they don't get to tell you what to do. Since they are the only Ford, Chevy, etc, etc dealer in town, they get a lot of people bent over a barrel. I don't really care for that.

way2old · #10 04-19-2010, 07:47 AM

It takes 10 minutes for Ford to access the security module to program the first key. If everything goes well, the second is about 5 seconds. The keys vary in price from dealer to dealer, but should be in the 30 to 40 dollar range.(dealer price). If you buy them from e bay, remember that they still need to be cut so they will turn the ignition. So add that cost to the key.

shorod · #11 04-19-2010, 02:23 PM

It's not unlike what the dealership charges to check diagnostic codes from the vehicle. That takes about 10 minutes as well and they get $90 or so just to do it. You can go to the neighborhood (maybe not in Peasticks) auto parts store and have the codes read for free. They need to cover the cost of their equipment, technicians and other overhead, they're not solely there as a convenience to their customers.

FWIW, $130 is a very competitive price for this service, especially if it includes 2 keys cut and programmed.

-Rod

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