Vehicle History that's actually free?

[jasong_10]

I'm trying to find out what dealership my SHO was sold at when it was brand new in an effort to get my actual key cut, as I only got one fob with the car and the actual key is blank. My local dealer told me that only the dealer the car was originally sold from has that info. I've looked all over the internet for a free path to that aspect of the car's history but haven't come up with anything yet . . .

Anyone have any ideas?

 

[ridered74]

Best bet would be making a similar post on facebook. Lots of people have carfax subscriptions and would be willing to quickly look that up for free for you. Lots more eyes in the facebook groups than here.

 

[luigisho]

I bet the local dealer could tell you except there is no money in it for them. I would look for an OASIS report and see if that has it. Some carfax do and some don't. I know you want free so keep looking.

https://www.pinesford.com/how-to-program-the-ford-key/

You call a locksmith and ask? worth a phone call

 

[jasong_10]

Best bet would be making a similar post on facebook. Lots of people have carfax subscriptions and would be willing to quickly look that up for free for you. Lots more eyes in the facebook groups than here.

Didn't think of that, good call.

 

[jasong_10]

I bet the local dealer could tell you except there is no money in it for them. I would look for an OASIS report and see if that has it. Some carfax do and some don't. I know you want free so keep looking.

https://www.pinesford.com/how-to-program-the-ford-key/

You call a locksmith and ask? worth a phone call

I kind of wondered about that when they told me I'd have to contact the original dealer . . .

I might stop in this week and push them a little on it, I didn't buy the SHO from them, but I've bought 4 vehicles from them in the last 10 years and have known them for 20.

Didn't think of a locksmith either, definitely a good option.

 

[Irish Pride]

I run a parts department at a Ford Dealership. Any Ford dealer can pull the key code as long as they have the full vin and proof of ownership for the vehicle(ie - your registration and identification). I order keys all the time with codes that my service department had to pull from Ford.

You can also have a locksmith do it. Any locksmith that cuts and programs Laser keys will have the ability to pull the code.

-Chad

 

[RonPorter]

I kind of wondered about that when they told me I'd have to contact the original dealer . . .

I might stop in this week and push them a little on it, I didn't buy the SHO from them, but I've bought 4 vehicles from them in the last 10 years and have known them for 20.

Didn't think of a locksmith either, definitely a good option.

Sounds like you need to find another dealer. Or go to the General Manager with what Chad told you, and what the clown at his dealership said. Maybe get a freebie, or some other compensation for the shoddy service.

 

[luigisho]

This is a common reply from Ford service garages. It is BS there is no reason that anyone with access to Ford databases can't find anything with a VIN. Call Ford customer no service directly with the VIN. All you need is the dealer name. The only stuff I haven't seen regularly with dealer info is when it is sold to Government and/or big rental companies. It will have an address or identifier but not specific. Especially GSA

 

[rubydist]

GSA sales are direct from Ford, there is not a dealer involved except to do the courtesy delivery, which does not show up in the sales history. Some of the large rental companies, e.g. Enterprise, are also direct from Ford.

 

[jasong_10]

I run a parts department at a Ford Dealership. Any Ford dealer can pull the key code as long as they have the full vin and proof of ownership for the vehicle(ie - your registration and identification). I order keys all the time with codes that my service department had to pull from Ford.

You can also have a locksmith do it. Any locksmith that cuts and programs Laser keys will have the ability to pull the code.

-Chad

Kinda had that hunch, lol. I have to stop in to pick up the noisemaker delete pipe I ordered this morning later this week, so I'll inquire more about it. Thanks for the confirmation

 

[Thunter3497]

I use the car fax car care app. You can view service history for free. A lot of vehicles will have the first service history at the dealership they were sold from. Some even have service files where they get the new vehicles ready for sale and that shows up sometimes as well. Hope this helps

 

[jasong_10]

Successful day, got my key cut code and a little history on the car. Thanks for everyone's input and help.

 

[luigisho]

Sounds good. Info from local dealer sevice dept?

 

[Tim Brand]

This is a little late but future reference I guess you can always go to your bank and have them run the car fax.

 

[jasong_10]

Sounds good. Info from local dealer sevice dept?

Was able to identify and contact the original dealer. They didn't have the code, but after e-mailing them the info they e-mailed me back with the code after a couple hours.
Gave the code to my local dealer and the guy was able to cut one side of the key but couldn't figure out the second side as their machine is circa 1930 and there is apparently a trick to it that the senior parts manager knows, lol. He did say that it should still open the door in one direction of the other, which it doesn't . . .

I'm going back on Monday when the other guy is back to get the second side cut anyways, so I should have it figured out then. I'm not too worried about it, pretty sure they would go good on a new blank if they monkied the cut up.

 

[jasong_10]

Case closed. Went back today and even the senior parts manager couldn't cut the other side of the blank with their machine. So they cut a traditional blank and I took that to my local hardware store who trace-cut the other side of my fob blank. Since my dealer couldn't cut the key completely they only charged me for the traditional blank, and the hardware store doesn't charge to cut keys if you bring your own blank. It was a long road but I ended up with 2 keys that open the door for $7