If anyone in my area needs this done I can do it for you for that $50 the OP was charged. I have keys, a key cutter and the tools to program the vehicle with for this.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Darrin
That's a good deal!
FYI: (from an earlier thread about PATS keys for my 1999 Ranger)
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 an 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
