Car key with a chip

Call me a cheapskate if you like. But I don't want a car key that I have to pay $100 plus for.

My story. Own an AU II Ford. Spare key and remote irretrievably lost for long time. A while ago my wife locked original key in the boot. Got a spare key from Ford and we opened up the car. Got into boot and recovered originals. Drove away happy. Later time. Wife misplaced originals so got the new spare key. Opened car and started it. But only started for a moment; engine stopped. As she was in a hurry (typical: always is) took my car. Next day I found originals. Key started car okay. spare still wouldn't. Went to Ford; they said the new spare was only an opener. If I wanted a spare starter I need a key with a chip built in the key handle. Cost - over $100 dollars. Then more to program the chip to the car electronics. My question now is ... Can I avoid this? Buy a chip from Dick Smiths and tape it to the opener key, program it myself? Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Reply to
TR
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"TR" wrote in news:eac1tv$16bn$ snipped-for-privacy@otis.netspace.net.au:

No.

I have seen cheap after market keys in shopping centres, at key cutter/shoe repair/cheap watches type place eg: Commodore. Probably they have Ford too. They are a lot cheaper than genuine. Possibly your original key can be used to program a spare at these places, just guessing about that though.

Reply to
Geoff C

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Can't help you, but would suggest the best time to get three spares is when you are buying the car and negotiating price! I would *never* accept one spare.

MrT.

Reply to
Mr.T

Possibly you could Get a used key of the same type and swap the electronics onto your spare key then go to Ford and heve them introduce the key to your car's engine crontrol computer.

Bye. Jasen

Reply to
jasen

It is possible to buy new keys ( with chips) local lock smith does the Holdens for around $30.00 so I expect he will have the Ford as well. There on most models a programming method from the ignition system ( No I don't know it)

Reply to
atec77

Subaru keys are $400+ and so badly soldered the surface mount components have all dry joints and fall off the PCB after a few weeks. Had to re- solder one recently for a friend.

Reply to
Mark Harriss

Go see your friendly local locksmith. He should be able to copy your original key. Colin.

Reply to
Colin Horsley

...

An idea.

Jaycar sell gizmos with two remotes and a control box that runs on 12 volts. Get a couple of copies of the key cut to begin with. You could then crack open the key you currently have, and wire the two outputs to activate the micro switches within the key. I haven't seen inside a frod key, so I don't know how easy this would be, but it could be possible.

Wire the device under the dash somewhere, so that you can hook it into the car's power circuit (you need a live wire that is always powered).

The remotes that operate the Jaycar box of tricks should now cause the box to operate the original key, which will in turn operate the vehicle's immobiliser system.

Your cut keys then work the ignition switch.

I can't see why this would not work, but it would take a bit of fiddling.

The jaycar remotes do not code-hop, but this would not really be a compromise, as nobody would expect a modern car to have a non-hopping remote, so I don't think that anyone would really be hanging out in the shopping centre car park with a reciever in an attempt to freak the remote code and steal your car.

The cost is about $100 if I recall. The advantage is that you can buy extra remotes for about $30 or so.

I used one for a different purpose, but it is pretty reliable, and the remote fobs are about the same size as ones that most cars use. They fit on a keyring OK.

If you do it, let's know if it works.

WR

Reply to
Wayne Reid

some ignition switches have a contact that connects to the key electronics.

you could hook the original to that but it'd be defeating one layer of security.

Bye. Jasen

Reply to
jasen

Hmm... you must be thinking the remote entry is on the key? On an AU that is a separate remote.

Disclaimer: all of the following is from memory, so I could be wrong :)

I'm pretty sure that AU2/AU3 models have a "smart" key which is interrogated by the ignition system via induction and RF. If you can obtain a replacement key it is possible for the owner/consumer to train the immobiliser to recognise that key, but you need TWO keys to be able to complete the procedure. The key also needs to be mechanically coded so it will match the ignition barrel.

I purchased my AU3 second hand, and it only came with a single key. This means there's still a key out there - in someone elses possession

- that will open my doors and possibly start the engine. I can't retrain the immobiliser to recognise my key only because they need to be done as a pair. On the plus side I was able to retrain the system to only recognise the one remote I have, which means that the immobiliser should still be active if the doors are unlocked via mechanical means. Hmm... I should try it. ;)

Reply to
rowan194

Thanks all for your inputs. Closest locksmith to where I live is 100 km away. He still quoted me over $100 for another key and price of fuel makes it even more exy. So I think I'm stuck with the local Ford dealer.

TR

Reply to
TR

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