Ford keys - If your vehicle is over 10 years....

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Yes.

Ford dumps keycodes for anything over 10 years

But any decent locksmith should have access to a third party service that'll sell him the code

Cut the code onto a $20 Strattec key blank (NOT A CLONE KEY)

Now you have the joy of programming it

Since you don't have two keys that start the car, you can't use on board programming

Get intimate with this piece of software, it's the best thing to happen to Ford owners since major retailers started selling Motorcraft fluids and filters

http://forscan.org/home.html

You'll need a Bluetooth enabled Windows PC, and an adapter

BAFX Products 34t5 Bluetooth OBDII Scan Tool for Android Devices https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005NLQAHS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_MwJdybK03BZV2

That'll get you by...

ScanTool 426101 OBDLink MX Bluetooth: Professional OBD-II Scan Tool for Android & Windows https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006NZTZLQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_nxJdybCFDQ5K2

This will let you do everything, faster and more reliably

Check out there forum, and the linked posts on the TaurusClub forums, you'll get all the info you need

If not, PM me
 
Originally Posted By: Wolf359
Just a laptop and an ELM327 to connect to the OBDII port.


OK, that's not bad at all then.
 
Is there any way for an owner to completely disable the electronic portion of the key system? A lot of the car owners have dropped collision by now on their old vehicles, so high security for these vehicles is not a major concern. The presence of electronic security can be more of a liability at this point. I've done that with wheel locks on my old cars.

Originally Posted By: Wolf359
... When you had 2 keys, you could easily program a 3rd key...

Even that wasn't foolproof. I twice needed to make a third key. Each time the Ford dealer told me the electronics were ruined in one of the keys, and they wouldn't be able to program a third one. I had to dig deeper in my wallet each time.
 
Originally Posted By: Kestas
Is there any way for an owner to completely disable the electronic portion of the key system? A lot of the car owners have dropped collision by now on their old vehicles, so high security for these vehicles is not a major concern. The presence of electronic security can be more of a liability at this point. I've done that with wheel locks on my old cars.

Originally Posted By: Wolf359
... When you had 2 keys, you could easily program a 3rd key...

Even that wasn't foolproof. I twice needed to make a third key. Each time the Ford dealer told me the electronics were ruined in one of the keys, and they wouldn't be able to program a third one. I had to dig deeper in my wallet each time.


You just have to know your options. Key blanks on ebay are pretty cheap (10-20) and the local stores that can cut home keys can also cut the car keys. They're just afraid because they think you bought OEM key blanks which can run $50 or more and they don't want to be responsible if they cut it a little off and it doesn't work. You probably bought a cloned key which is basically the same as the original key. You need two separate keys with different IDs in order to make a 3rd one. The procedure is in the manual. Also I wouldn't call it a liability, old cars get stolen a lot more for parts value. It's things like PATS that have cut down on car theft over the years.
 
In order to make a 2nd key, you have to have it added to the ECM on the car. What most locksmiths do is just make a clone copy of your key which doesn't involve having to add it to the system in your car. As far as your car is concerned, you just have one key. The simple way to tell is if you just bring them your key and they make a copy on the spot without access to the car, then that's just a clone copy.
 
If you do buy a key online, make sure it comes in a Rotunda or Strattec bag. Strattec makes the keys for Rotunda. Also don't be surprised if a dealer will not cut your key for you. A lot of dealers refuse to cut customer supplied since some of the cheaper brand keys use different metal that damage the key cutters. Have had it happen to me.
 
Originally Posted By: Chris142
Ford wont or cant sell ANY parts to a car over 10 years old.

Surely this isn't true. There are lots of 10 year old and older Fords (both cars and trucks) around here and the owners must be getting parts from somewhere.

There was that story about a part not being available for a Ford F-150 a few months ago, but that appeared to be due to the odd-ball collection of deletes and options on that particular vehicle.

Seems to me that a manufacturer going out of business must arrange to have parts available for at least 10 years.
 
Originally Posted By: ecotourist
Originally Posted By: Chris142
Ford wont or cant sell ANY parts to a car over 10 years old.

Surely this isn't true. There are lots of 10 year old and older Fords (both cars and trucks) around here and the owners must be getting parts from somewhere.

There was that story about a part not being available for a Ford F-150 a few months ago, but that appeared to be due to the odd-ball collection of deletes and options on that particular vehicle.

Seems to me that a manufacturer going out of business must arrange to have parts available for at least 10 years.


There is no law that says parts have to be available. Availability is based on sales history. The F150 part in question was a total oddball part that very few trucks came with.
 
I found a locksmith who can make the key. I'm waiting on a callback for the price. That will determine where I go with this. Might be worthwhile to get another winter or two out of it.
 
Are you in a rush to get a second key?

If not, I would go the Forscan route and save the money.

You need a $10 ELM327, a $10 transponder key, a free license from Forscan for programming as well as the free Forscan installed on a Windows PC. Get the key cut anywhere.

If there is no shroud around your cylinder, you might be able to use a modern flip style transponder key / fob combo with removable blade. Any key cutting error won't be as expensive with one of those and it's a very nice upgrade.

Your ELM can be used in any vehicle for troubleshooting. Might help you on other things on your Expedition especially with Forscan.

Btw, some people who are not concerned with theft, cut out the transponder chip and tape it by the ignition cylinder so any cut key can be used.
 
Originally Posted By: CharlieBauer
Are you in a rush to get a second key?

If not, I would go the Forscan route and save the money.

You need a $10 ELM327, a $10 transponder key, a free license from Forscan for programming as well as the free Forscan installed on a Windows PC. Get the key cut anywhere.

If there is no shroud around your cylinder, you might be able to buy a modern flip style transponder key with removable blade. Any key cutting error won't be as expensive with one of those.

Your ELM can be used in any vehicle for troubleshooting. Might help you on other things on your Expedition.


I have AutoEnginuity for my scanner software
smile.gif
I also have the full suite of Dodge stuff. Doesn't help me here, but I've got some decent scan tool software. I'm not in a rush to get a 2nd key, no. I think they are just quoting me on one for the vehicle to get it workable again. I can deal with making a copy via the method you and the other poster graciously outlined later.

Even if we don't hold onto the truck, getting a key for it, if inexpensive, makes it a far more saleable article than without.
 
Seems like way too much effort for 14 year old heap. This kind of thing or AC failure is my breaking point with an old vehicle.

Don't view the repairs as anything except getting you to where you sit today.

My commutes(70 miles round trip) with a 2005 Subaru Legacy turbo with 205k we spent $3500 in major repair two years ago. If it died tomorrow besides having to pick her up on highway somewhere or paying for Uber we could care less.
 
Originally Posted By: CharlieBauer
Are you in a rush to get a second key?

If not, I would go the Forscan route and save the money.

You need a $10 ELM327, a $10 transponder key, a free license from Forscan for programming as well as the free Forscan installed on a Windows PC. Get the key cut anywhere.

If there is no shroud around your cylinder, you might be able to use a modern flip style transponder key / fob combo with removable blade. Any key cutting error won't be as expensive with one of those and it's a very nice upgrade.

Your ELM can be used in any vehicle for troubleshooting. Might help you on other things on your Expedition especially with Forscan.

Btw, some people who are not concerned with theft, cut out the transponder chip and tape it by the ignition cylinder so any cut key can be used.


I was just going to post this. So +1 on Forscan.
 
With the average age of cars being 11 years old, this suggests that half the Ford vehicles on the road are not supported for key replacement at the dealers.
 
Meh, I once got a new key for the Borman6 for its 20th birthday. I just needed the Vin and the registration. The key can be cut from the VIN
 
Originally Posted By: Kestas
With the average age of cars being 11 years old, this suggests that half the Ford vehicles on the road are not supported for key replacement at the dealers.
Fords are engineered for ease of constuction and sale. They are NOT built to be maintained
 
Originally Posted By: andyd
Meh, I once got a new key for the Borman6 for its 20th birthday. I just needed the Vin and the registration. The key can be cut from the VIN


Not for a Ford over 10 years it can't unfortunately. Though apparently as noted in the thread, some smiths have access to old versions of the Ford database which allow them to do that. Ford dealerships only have access to the 10 year rolling list, which is ridiculous.
 
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