CAMmer help for 'PATS' key

[Joe Walsh]

I need to get 2 spare keys made for a 1999 Ford Ranger.
I only have one key right now, so I cannot program the new keys on my own.
The dealers want $125 plus $25 per key to program the 'PATS' function.
The local locksmiths want $95 plus $30 for the second key.

:eek:.......NFW!

I can buy the OEM Ford keys on Ebay for $8.95 each.

Does any CAMmer know someone/somewhere local that I can get the keys cut and programmed for a reasonable price?

[fastblackmerc]

Our ACE Hardware store advertises that they can cut & program keys.

[Joe Walsh]

I just called the local Ace store and they only want $80.

At least I'm making headway...I also got a lead on a local locksmith that might do it even cheaper.

[LordVader]

:popcorn: Interested in this thread. I too only have one key and bought another on Ebay and need to get it programmed. Didn't realize it would be so costly.

[Joe Walsh]

OK, I just spoke to a guy who is a local locksmith and he wanted $75 to cut and program one key.
I have to drive the Ranger over to his shop in Pasadena, Md. to make sure that the key program works.
I told him that I already had the 'PATS' key blanks and he said he would cut both keys and program one key for $45.
I can then program the 2nd key myself with my original key and the 1st key that he cut & programmed for me.
This is getting to be more reasonable cost wise.

[Haggis]

Call Able locksmith in Fredneck and ask for Chris tell him you know me. Tell him I am in his karate class, if he doesn't recognize my name.

[Joe Walsh]

Call Able locksmith in Fredneck and ask for Chris tell him you know me.
Tell him I am in his karate class, if he doesn't recognize my name.

Will you kick his a$$ if he doesn't help me?

[Joe Walsh]

:popcorn: Interested in this thread. I too only have one key and bought another on Ebay and need to get it programmed. Didn't realize it would be so costly.

You should keep 3 keys for any 'PATS II' vehicle, if you lose one KEY you can program a replacement key on your own using the 2 remaining keys.

New Ford Vehicles with PATS

For the 1999 model year, all Ford Motor Company vehicles equipped with the passive anti theft system will be using the PATS II system. The PATS II system was introduced on roughly half of the PATS equipped vehicles for the 1998 model year. The other half of the PATS equipped vehicles for the 1998 model year were equipped with the PATS I system. Many 2000 and later Ford Vehicles Use the E-PATS system, which uses an encrypted transponder in the key.

Hold on there... What is PATS, how does it work, and why is this important to me?

Good question. PATS is Ford Motor Company's passive anti theft system. In 1996 it started showing up on select models of Ford and Lincoln Mercury vehicles. The keys for these vehicles have a tiny radio frequency transponder imbedded in the plastic Head.

When you attempt to start the vehicle, the onboard computer sends out a RF signal that is picked up by the transponder in the key. The transponder then returns a unique RF signal to the vehicle's computer, giving it the ok for the vehicle to start and continue to run. This all happens in less than a second, and is completely transparent to the vehicle operator. It is a very effective system that does its job without the vehicle owner having to think about it, or modify his / her usual routine.

One thing the vehicle owner should think about is obtaining duplicate keys or replacing lost keys. No longer can you pick up an extra car key at the checkout stand of your favorite hardware store. Replacement keys must be originated on a new keyblank that has an embedded transponder. The vehicles onboard computer must be programmed to recognize the new key. This brings us to the "why is this important to me" part.

With PATS I, as long as you have at least one working key and can read the owners manual that came with the vehicle, you've got a good shot at programming your new key without additional assistance.

With PATS II, things become a little more difficult. Someone decided that two working keys be required for admittance to the programming show. On the surface, this is a good idea. It pretty much insures that only the owner of the vehicle will be making duplicate keys. The down side is that many vehicle owners don't think about making extra keys until they only have one, or even worse no keys!

If you own a vehicle equipped with the PATS II system and find yourself in this situation, you have a couple of choices.

Have your vehicle towed to the nearest Ford dealership. They will use their electronic programming equipment to reset the system and program in new keys.
Have an auto lock specialist who has electronic programming equipment and is qualified to use it come to your vehicle and do the same.
While option #2 is many times more convenient, neither solution is inexpensive.

Bottom line advice? If you own a PATS I equipped vehicle make sure that you always have at least two working keys. If you lose one of them, have a duplicate key made and programmed at once. PATS I equipped vehicles include the following.

Contour V6 Duratech 1998
Mustang 1996 - 1997
Taurus LX, SHO 1996 - 1997
Expedition 1997 - 1998
Mark VIII 1997
Mystique LS 1998
Navigator 1997 - 1998
Sable 1996 - 1997 (some)

If you own a PATS II equipped vehicle make sure that you always have at least three working keys. If you lose one of them, have a duplicate key made and programmed at once. PATS II equipped vehicles include the following.

Mustang 1998 - 2001
Taurus LX, SE, SHO 1998 -2001
Explorer 1998 - 2000
Expedition 1999-2001
Excursion 2000-2001
Escape 2001
Focus 2000-2001
Continental 1998 -2001
Crown Victoria 1998 - 2001
Ranger 1999 -2001 V6
F150, F250 1999 - 2001
Contour V6 1999 - 2000
Windstar 1999 -2000 (optional) 2001 All
Navigator 1999 - 2001
Town Car 1998 - 2001
Cougar 1999 - 2001
Grand Marquis 1998 - 2001
LS6, LS8 1999-2001
Mark VIII 1998
Mountaineer 1998 - 2001
Mystique LS 1999 -2000
Sable 1998 - 2001 (some)

Programming a new, additional 'PATS II' key:

If you want to add a key....
**You must have two original keys to perform this procedure. If you only have one key, you WILL have to take it to the dealer to get it programmed**

1. Insert and existing (working) key into the ignition cylinder.

2. Turn the ignition cylinder ON (RUN) and back to OFF. Ignition should stay on for at least ONE SECOND.

3. Remove the existing key and, within TEN seconds, insert a second working key and turn it to ON (RUN) and the back OFF. Ignition must be in ON for at least ONE second, but no more than TEN seconds. Remove the key.

4. Insert the new key before TWENTY seconds have elapsed and turn it to ON (RUN). Leave it the ON position for at least ONE second and turn back to OFF.

5. The security light will light up for THREE seconds to indicate that the new key has been successfully programmed.

6. To program additional keys, repeat steps 1 through 5

[Haggis]

Will you kick his a$$ if he doesn't help me?

It will cost you.

[justbob]

Turn the pats off in the tune.

[fastblackmerc]

Turn the pats off in the tune.

Can you????

[justbob]

Yes. Been there, done that. Not too sure how the insurance company would handle that in the event of a theft though...

[Joe Walsh]

Naw,
I still want the 'PATS' active, besides I'm not planning on getting a tune for a 3.0L Vulcan V6 Ranger....:rolleyes:
Maybe a K&N filter. The engine is gutless, wish it were a Duratec 3.0 DOHC...
But I got 250,000 miles out of my '89 Taurus 3.0 Vulcan V6 and it was still running like a top when I donated the car to charity!
I can swing $45 for a set of two new keys....but I wasn't going to pay $100+.

[Seneca]

:eek: Does Joe have a Tune on His Ranger??:D:lol:

[Joe Walsh]

:eek: Does Joe have a Tune on His Ranger??:D:lol:

LOL....
I did have a Hypertech tuner on my '96 S10 Blazer!
It had a set of Edelbrock headers, Borla SS exhaust a K&N filter.
I'm no Chevy fan, but that 4.3L Vortec V6 would run like a ***** ape!
I smoked a lot of suckers who thought that I was a chump in a lame SUV...:D

:hmmm:....I wonder if anyone makes an aftermarket tuner, exhaust and a CAI for a 3.0L Ranger....:rofl:

[Seneca]

LOL....
I did have a Hypertech tuner on my '96 S10 Blazer!
It had a set of Edelbrock headers, Borla SS exhaust a K&N filter.
I'm no Chevy fan, but that 4.3L Vortec V6 would run like a ***** ape!
I smoked a lot of suckers who thought that I was a chump in a lame SUV...:D

:hmmm:....I wonder if anyone makes an aftermarket tuner, exhaust and a CAI for a 3.0L Ranger....:rofl:
Lol.. thats Neat. I had a 2000 Ranger 4wd 3.0 it was pretty lame on power. Set that Eaton on it! :)

[Joe Walsh]

Lol.. thats Neat. I had a 2000 Ranger 4wd 3.0 it was pretty lame on power. Set that Eaton on it! :)

That Eaton is only going on the Marauder....eventually!

Now Eaton does make a smaller blower don't they????

[justbob]

That would be the M90 :)

[Joe Walsh]

Update:
I went over to Secure Solutions Lock & Key in Pasadena, Md. phone# (410) 437-0140
I spoke to the owner, John Williams...a really cool guy.
He had quoted me $75 to cut and program 2 PATS keys supplied by him.
I already had bought 2 PATS keys on Ebay for $9.00 each, so he cut them and programmed both for $45.
That beats the heck out of the Ford dealership's $125 programming fee and $25/each key cost!!....:eek:

BTW: They use a computer coding machine that looks like something out of "The Borne Identity" movie.
There is a programmed 10 minute delay for any coding of keys...to prevent not-so-nice valet parking attendants from quickly snagging key codes while using your keys.

[LordVader]

Thanks Joe. I go down to Largo from White Marsh every couple of weeks, so I'll just take a little detour one day and go get another key cut. Appreciate it.