Programming new Mercury key fob

[Kestas]

My mother lost her key fob for the 2001 Mercury Sable. This is the remote that locks/unlocks the doors and opens the trunk. I saw a new one on eBay for $35. How is something like that programmed? Is it like the key where you need two of them to program a third? We only have the one fob.

 

[drive it forever]

Another example why I've never bought anything off of ebay. You can get a new one programmed for your car for at $29.00 keylessride .com

 

[drive it forever]

You provide the vin to them, you get a ready, out of the package new key fob.

 

[brianl703]

Typically there's a jumper you connect with a wire (my 1996 Contour) or you turn the key on and off a certain number of times (my brother's 2005 Escape). Then you push a button on the remote and it's programmed. It's that easy. Since I have the shop manuals for your car I can look it up later on.

I don't see how the remote could be preprogrammed for the vehicle since the vehicle has to learn the remote.

 

[drive it forever]

I was wrong about it being programmed. Just assumed if you gave a vin# they did it for you.

 

[doctorr]

Try this.....

Insert key, turn 'on' then 'off' without starting, until locks activate - usually six times will do it.

Hit 'lock' on fob, then 'trunk'.

New fob should now work. (or not!)
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doc

 

[Kestas]

Thanks for the tip on keylessride.com. I ordered one for $29 + $6 ship.

You're right about eBay. I've seen parts that cost more than what you can get from established internet vendors.

For curiosity I followed a link to buy keys (streetkeys.com). The replacement key was $28 - same price as the dealer charged in Florida. Yesterday I got the same key for $20 from a Mercury dealer in my neighborhood. I guess it's hit or miss sometimes.

 

[Kestas]

I got the fob yesterday. Here's the supplied activation procedure:

1. Open the driver's door and cycle the power lock switch on the door Lock-Unlock twice.

2. Insert the keys in the ignition and turn the ignition switch from OFF to RUN eight times within ten seconds, ending in RUN. If the vehicle has successfully entered program mode, it will lock then unlock all doors automotically.

3. Within 20 seconds, press any button on the fob. The doors will lock then unlock to confirm the fob has been activated.

4. Repeat the previous step for each transmitter that will operate the vehicle.

5. Turn ignition switch to OFF, or wait up to 20 seconds after Step 1, to exit program mode. If a fob has been activated, the vehicle will lock and unlock all doors one last time to confirm.