IA Key Alternatives

[Fordnatic]

Dilemma: I can't fit two key fobs in my pocket, especially if one's the giant fob that's the Intelligent Access Key. I made it work for a while by programming the wife's SHO IA fob to work as a remote for the door locks on my F150 as well, negating the need to carry it's FOB.

But...the wife just got me an Astro Start (remote starter) for my pickup for my birthday, so I'm back to having to carry two FOB's which really doesn't work for me. My question is this: Is there an alternative to the GIANT factory IA key which is smaller? For example without the hard key hidden inside (which I don't see much of a reason to carry anyway)?

 

[steve142857]

Dilemma: I can't fit two key fobs in my pocket, especially if one's the giant fob that's the Intelligent Access Key. I made it work for a while by programming the wife's SHO IA fob to work as a remote for the door locks on my F150 as well, negating the need to carry it's FOB.

But...the wife just got me an Astro Start (remote starter) for my pickup for my birthday, so I'm back to having to carry two FOB's which really doesn't work for me. My question is this: Is there an alternative to the GIANT factory IA key which is smaller? For example without the hard key hidden inside (which I don't see much of a reason to carry anyway)?

Not that I know of, but one thing : that spare key is not there for nothing, I needed to use it last week while on my fishing trip, about 4 hours far from home. The battery in the FOB didn't respond anymore, so I needed to use that spare key to open the door otherwise, there's not much one can do to open the door... I guess you will have to make a necklace with one of the FOB lol!
G/L!

 

[Billm0066]

Not that I know of, but one thing : that spare key is not there for nothing, I needed to use it last week while on my fishing trip, about 4 hours far from home. The battery in the FOB didn't respond anymore, so I needed to use that spare key to open the door otherwise, there's not much one can do to open the door... I guess you will have to make a necklace with one of the FOB lol!
G/L!

What about the numeric code on the door?

 

[steve142857]

What about the numeric code on the door?

True... to open the door, but still needs the FOB to have the car started... Unless you leave it in the car, but that is somthing you don't want to do... When I bought my car, it was second hand with 20K miles on it and I was never to ld the keypad number... I probably can reset it, but never took the time to do it...

 

[blaine109]

If you're gutsy and want to leave it in the car you could always try to hardwire an ignition switch that only you know about so that nobody can start the car unless you flip it on regardless of the fob being present...

as far as how to go about this I have absolutely no clue.

 

[SHOrod]

Steve, you'll need to know the factory keypad code to program a user-defined code. Some high end scan tools can access the factory code, or you can look for the sticker on the module itself. Of course the dealer can get the code for you but will probably charge you for the service.

I suspect the anti-theft system would not be happy if it "sees" two programmed keys (the remote start bypass module and the fob safely stored in the center console), so leaving the fob in the car is probably not much of an option. That at least used to be an issue for the PATS system in Fords. The first troubleshooting step for a car that wouldn't start with a flashing "Theft" or "Security" light was to remove any other transponder keys from the key ring.

-Rod

 

[nynd]

Steve, you'll need to know the factory keypad code to program a user-defined code. Some high end scan tools can access the factory code, or you can look for the sticker on the module itself. Of course the dealer can get the code for you but will probably charge you for the service.

I suspect the anti-theft system would not be happy if it "sees" two programmed keys (the remote start bypass module and the fob safely stored in the center console), so leaving the fob in the car is probably not much of an option. That at least used to be an issue for the PATS system in Fords. The first troubleshooting step for a car that wouldn't start with a flashing "Theft" or "Security" light was to remove any other transponder keys from the key ring.

-Rod

You can actually have two IA keys in the car at the same time. Think when husband and wife enter the car at the same time. What happens, is the first key seen (or registered) by the car is the key which preferences will be set for (ie. radio stations, seat position etc).

 

[jcgrumman]

I have started locking my FOB in the car and using the keypad for entry. I have no concerns, other than a dead battery, about doing this. I particularly like this practice when I go to play hockey. It is very common for people to steal stuff from the locker room while we are on the ice- so we don't keep any valuables in the locker room. Last year somebody gathered all the car keys from the locker room, unlocked the cars and took everything. It also comes in handy if you are going swimming, running, etc and don't want your FOB to get wet/lost.

I can unlock the drivers door, all doors (3-4) and the trunk (5-6) from the keypad. The only downside is that you can't vent the car before getting in like you can with the FAB.

james

 

[steve142857]

I have started locking my FOB in the car and using the keypad for entry. I have no concerns, other than a dead battery, about doing this. I particularly like this practice when I go to play hockey. It is very common for people to steal stuff from the locker room while we are on the ice- so we don't keep any valuables in the locker room. Last year somebody gathered all the car keys from the locker room, unlocked the cars and took everything. It also comes in handy if you are going swimming, running, etc and don't want your FOB to get wet/lost.

I can unlock the drivers door, all doors (3-4) and the trunk (5-6) from the keypad. The only downside is that you can't vent the car before getting in like you can with the FAB.

james

When we have our FOB in our pocket, we can only touch the keypad numbers and regardless of the combination, the door opens... If we leave the FOB in the car and lock the car, can we still touch the numbers and the door unlocks whatever numbers are pressed?

 

[Fordnatic]

No, it somehow knows whether the fob is inside or outside. I don't like it, but my wife leaves it in the car all the time and uses the keypad to enter.

 

[SHOrod]

Right, if the fob is in the car you need to enter the 5-digit code to unlock the door(s). You cannot just swipe your finger on the keypad. The nice thing (or so I've heard) is that since the car knows the proximity of the fob it will not let you lock the fob in the trunk. I haven't tried this feature yet though.

-Rod

 

[Fordnatic]

Yes, it won't even let you lock the FOB in the interior by locking the doors then closing them. It will beep the horn and unlock the doors when the door closes. You have to lock it with the bottom two on the keypad (which is a pain sometimes as it doesn't like to work). I think the trunk works similar. It's pretty amazing how close it can determine the position of the IA keyfob.