Key Code (lost keys '99)

[skidmarks]

Been a while, but back again with another wife related issue...

She has lost both sets of keys! Been sitting in my driveway for 3 months now so my guess is they are not going to be found at this point.

Car is over 10 years old so Ford can not get me a key from the VIN. The dealer that it was bought from new changed to a different dealer and they have no records.

Is the key code ANYWHERE on the SHO?

I live in BFE and cant imagine the cost to get a locksmith out here and then if i understand correctly still need to tow it to Ford so they can program the car to work with the new key.

One parts department told me to remove the key cylinder from the column and buy a new one?

I would be happy hot wiring her and being done with it, but probably cant?

Advice would be appreciated! Was going to sell her, but my son starts driving next month... The SHO is his.

Thanks in advance...
Todd

 

[calvin0325]

If the Dealer goes into VCIS they can get the key code. You will probably need the title with you to show ownership. You can also probably call ford customer service to confirm the key code is on file as ford just started putting all the info in VCIS in 1997. VCIS is vehicle component installation system it has all the info about how the car was assembled. I worked for years at a ford dealership and have done this in the past for customers.

 

[calvin0325]

The next part is where it hurts.....the keys for our cars cost on average of $25 each plus programming, and you have to do 2 keys since you don't have any.

 

[skidmarks]

Thanks for getting back to me with that info... I called Ford customer service and they do not have access to that system? The only info they had for me is to call around and maybe one of the dealers didn't purge the vehicle records. Everywhere i call they tell me 10 years or newer.

Guess i will call around some more before i pull the lock from the column...

At least now i know it the VCIS system so i don't sound like a idiot when i call service garages.

What is really going to hurt is paying for a locksmith... At this point buying keys is the cheapest part of getting this resolved.

 

[calvin0325]

The system is in the parts dept system.

 

[SHORANGERBIRD]

If the Dealer goes into VCIS they can get the key code. You will probably need the title with you to show ownership. You can also probably call ford customer service to confirm the key code is on file as ford just started putting all the info in VCIS in 1997. VCIS is vehicle component installation system it has all the info about how the car was assembled. I worked for years at a ford dealership and have done this in the past for customers.

no. key codes are only accessable back to '02-'03 now. the best way is to call a lock smith out. have them make a key. some can program them, some can't. if they cant, take the key, and have the car towed to a dealership where they can duplicate the key and program it.

 

[calvin0325]

Don't know where you are getting you info SHORANGERBIRD, but having worked in the ford dealership parts department for 10 years I can tell you that I have personally ran VCIS on vehicles to get key codes. I did it several times when our guys would loose keys or lock them in a vehicle. Like I said....if the dealer can't get him the info Ford Customer Service can. I am speaking from experience, and having used the system.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Don't know where you are getting you info SHORANGERBIRD, but having worked in the ford dealership parts department for 10 years I can tell you that I have personally ran VCIS on vehicles to get key codes. I did it several times when our guys would loose keys or lock them in a vehicle. Like I said....if the dealer can't get him the info Ford Customer Service can. I am speaking from experience, and having used the system.

He's not saying that key codes are inaccessible, he's saying that key codes for cars over 10 years old are inaccessible. This has been Ford procedure for the past several years; maybe it's been a while since your 10-year stint in a dealership parts department?

Regardless, OP if you want to save a few bucks on the locksmith, you can drill out the retaining pin for the lock cylinder from underneath the column in order to remove it. You can then replace the cylinder with a generic set from a parts store (around $20). You'll still need to then have the car towed to a dealer, pay for 2 new PATS keys cut to the keys that came with the new cylinder, plus an hour's labor to re-flash PATS for the 2 new keys.

Alternatively, if you can find a locksmith that has the ability to re-flash PATS without going to the dealer, they should be able to make you 2 new PATS keys that match the existing door and ignition cylinders. That will save you on the tow bill, and possibly on the keys and re-flashing labor as well. Bottom line is price it out both ways and go with the least expensive option.

 

[frankanthony]

I wanted to suggest another alternative for you... With this method you will not have to pay for a tow to the dealer or pay for the flash for PATS. You can do everything yourself in your driveway in a matter of minutes. Although as Mr. Anonymous says you will have to drill out your key cylinder as it has to be in the on position to be removed. Since the Key cylinder is being replaced anyway I would probably just drill out the tumblers until it spins freely and then pop it out. This does require finding a parts car from someone but after that it is dead simple and is relatively cheap. The procedure is in my post below.

From this thread...

http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=114365

I just wanted to post this up as a reference for anyone who ever has this issue.

The theft light flashing for 45 seconds means there is a faultly link between the PATS Module and the ECM. In my case I believe the failure was at the Pats module because the car would fire up and shut off within 1 second due to the ECM not receiving the ENABLE signal from the PATS Module.

Normally to repair this you would replace the PATS module and goto a dealership and have them clear out the ID and Pair it to your ECM. I do not like going to dealerships because of the high prices and lack of knowledge. They wanted to charge me $150 for a diagnostic fee when I told them what to do. So I emailed a forum member and had them pull out the entire PATS system from their parts SHO (The year has to match as it's a very picky system with different types). The PATS system is the Module(behind radio), the Transponder(around igntion cylinder), the ignition cylinder and keys and the ECM. It's all very easy to pull and swap. I grabbed the entire system just to be safe but the Transponder probably doesn't have to be swapped unless it is damaged.

Total Cost was only $87 shipped and 20 minutes to install.

I just wanted to let everyone know that a PATS module replacement (transplant) is a possible DIY job without a visit to the dealership.

Hopefully this helps someone in the future!

 

[frankanthony]

I just realized your car is a '99 which makes it a PATS system B not PATS system A like my '96.... Everything should still work just make sure to get the parts from a '99 sho and try to get 2 keys from the parts car because to program anything on a PATS system B you need 2 keys.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

To do this on a '99 you will also need the PCM from the donor car as well since the actual transponder codes for the keys are stored in the PCM.

 

[frankanthony]

To do this on a '99 you will also need the PCM from the donor car as well since the actual transponder codes for the keys are stored in the PCM.

The '96 is the same is this regard.... For some reason I have always called it an ECM, although you are correct in calling it the PCM. Either way it is mounted on the passenger side firewall and isn't too hard to access.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

The '96 is the same is this regard.... For some reason I have always called it an ECM, although you are correct in calling it the PCM. Either way it is mounted on the passenger side firewall and isn't too hard to access.

PATS is not PCM dependent in the '96 and '97 cars, it's all stored in the PATS module. You can swap PCM's all day long without effecting PATS.

 

[frankanthony]

PATS is not PCM dependent in the '96 and '97 cars, it's all stored in the PATS module. You can swap PCM's all day long without effecting PATS.

Oh cool, I did not know that, just made an assumption. So PATS Systems A and D do not store in PCM but PATS Systems B and C do store in PCM. Thanks for the information, nice to know for the future.

 

[skidmarks]

Thought i should follow up on this... I was actually homeless for over a year due to my financial problems dealing with disability. I checked Ford customer service and a few dealers in that area. I ended up paying for a tow truck, taking it to Ford (they could not get the information to get me a new key made). They pulled the key cylinder and made me two new keys. Obviously i rely on the number pad on the door because i was not going to pay them to re-key the locks in the door and trunk. The new keys they made for me are tricky. If you do not pay attention to the theft light, on occasion, the car will not start! Sometimes the car does not recognize the key. Take it out put it back in and it starts.

I am pretty positive that the whole process cost me around $600 - $700 dollars! In retrospect, if my world was not shattering all around me at the time, i should have done it myself. But think i was told that no matter what i had to get it to the dealer to program new keys...