$50 PATS Key

[TFB]

Yep guys check your local locksmith for a deal, got mine for a Ulysses S Grant which included key and programming($25 Key, $25 for the service)... The ones that work with the used car dealers or auctions is the guy to call, they now have a programmer that bypasses the wait time, my key was programed in about three minutes...

http://members.cox.net/turbocoupe50/$50patskey.jpg

[ntd]

Yea Ford gets the customers and us tech's good with the 10 min PATS access wait time IIRC we charge a 1/2 hour at a $95 an hour shop rate not including the purchase and cutting of the key.

[RacerX]

Where's the red one? :dunno: :D

[Hacklemerc]

I'm going to be needing a new key fob. The place where is hooks up to the ring is cracking and starting to break.

[MercNasty]

Order them off ebay. They have Mercury Keys, u just have to find someone local to program it for u.

[TFB]

Order them off ebay. They have Mercury Keys, u just have to find someone local to program it for u.As long as you have TWO WORKING keys you can program additional keys yourself...

Remotes are cheap on flea bay as well, just be sure it woks with '98 to '05 Crown Vic or Grand Marquis... Many sellers list remotes for the CV/GM that also work with most other Ford vehicles, those will not work on a Marauder...

[Shora]

As long as you have TWO WORKING keys you can program additional keys yourself...

Remotes are cheap on flea bay as well, just be sure it woks with '98 to '05 Crown Vic or Grand Marquis... Many sellers list remotes for the CV/GM that also work with most other Ford vehicles, those will not work on a Marauder...

This is good advise. Order Mercury Keys and or Fobs off ebay. Get the key cut for a under 5 bucks and program them yourself in under 10 minutes.

Those of you with only two working keys/ fobs, now is the time to do not. Before one gets lost and you are forced to hit the dealer/ locksmith.

[TFB]

Where's the red one? :dunno: :D

http://members.cox.net/turbocoupe50/redkey.jpg

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

[PonyUP]

If you only have one key, now is the time to get a second one cut. Use whatever method is easiest for you, but according to my Ford dealership, they only have the ability to look up the information to cut a key for 7 years if you lose your one key. Just my opinion, but get one cut before the end of the year to play it safe.

[Darrin]

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

[Joe Walsh]

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

[Darrin]

^^^ That right there is a great post. It's information that needs to be a sticky actually.

Darrin

[CBT]

Thanks Joe, you da man. :beer:

[4play]

Ok so heres a question. His do people steal pats cars?

[ctrlraven]

Ok so heres a question. His do people steal pats cars?
Tow truck, car jacking, break into house and find spare keys. I keep my spare vehicle keys in my floor safe.

There are ways to manual bypass the PATS system, don't ask cause I'm not going to tell.

Even if someone had a unprogrammed cut key and managed to get the vehicle started the PATS system will cut the fuel in about 10-15 seconds.

[TFB]

Even if someone had a unprogrammed cut key and managed to get the vehicle started the PATS system will cut the fuel in about 10-15 seconds.
Maybe on some versions but everything I've on the net, says PATS is inoperable after the car is started, and will not cause a stalled engine... AFAIK you ain't starting one with a unprogrammed key... Period...

[EMAS]

One thing that is important to note is that they type of key the OP talked about won't allow you to program a 3rd key. What they do is clone the key so it sends out the same RFID signal as the key it was cloned from. So the computer won't recognize it as a "2nd key" it will think you just put the 1st key back in.

Many general repair shops do have the scan tool that allows you to program keys so you don't have to go to the dealer or a locksmith if you only have one key.

[ShadyLurker]

Is the valet key also a pats key? I lost one full set. I only have 1 key 1 remote and 1 valet key.

[TFB]

As far as programming, a valet key is same as std key...

[Joe Walsh]

Maybe on some versions but everything I've on the net, says PATS is inoperable after the car is started, and will not cause a stalled engine... AFAIK you ain't starting one with a unprogrammed key... Period...

Yep,
They just crank and crank and crank.....and the "THEFT" light comes on and stays lit.

[Chevyguy]

As far as programming, a valet key is same as std key...

Wont unlock the trunk though!! You have to remember to lock the release button of course:eek::eek:

[justbob]

Yep,
They just crank and crank and crank.....and the "THEFT" light comes on and stays lit.
I've had this happen in the dead of winter... I now just keep my xcal in the trunk with a no pats tune loaded in it since I am now on my last key.:(

[TFB]

Yep,
They just crank and crank and crank.....and the "THEFT" light comes on and stays lit.
Yea I got a crash course in PATS when I bought a '98 Grand Marquis with only one key, crank crank crank, nothing... Arghhh :mad2:

If I'd known I could have gotten a key for $50, maybe I would have not bought the '99 Crown Vic Police Interceptor ECU to defeat it... Still I doubt anyone is gonna steal a old MGM(but it looks better than many three year old cars), plus it now has five keys...

BTW guys... In your owners manual case, there should be a couple tags with codes the dealer or locksmith can use to get the proper key cut... If you loose keys some distance from home and don't have the spares with you, this can be good to know... Of course if your case is bought from ebay like mine, the tags won't match your car, I need to see if I can get the code from the dealer...

[Donald]

You guys scared me. I still have 2 working keys for my 2003 but given the prices being quoted around here I decided to get a 3rd key.

Bought from this eBay auction http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280446221303

It says they still have 8. Free shipping!

Got the key in short order. Took it to a hardware store for cutting. They did not want to charge me but I insisted on paying $2. :)

Got home and followed the included instructions and voilà, it started the car.

[Donald]

Just got the new fob I bought on eBay. Since he specified the correct s/n, FCC code, etc I took a chance.

I just programmed the car for all 3 fobs.

3 black keys and 3 fobs. I think I am set. :)

[04 Quicksilver]

I'm going to be needing a new key fob. The place where is hooks up to the ring is cracking and starting to break.
I may be a day late and a dollar short but this is my first post so what the hey.

I saw this tip on PBS' Motor Week. There is a company called Dorman HELP! that makes a product called Key Fob Repair, part #13601. It is a rubbery rectangle sleeve that stretches around the fob and has a retainer on the top for your own key ring to go through. Just snip off your own key eye and stretch the repair sleeve over your fob. I got mine at an O'Reilly's.

Go Jayhawks

Bruce W.

[EMAS]

I may be a day late and a dollar short but this is my first post so what the hey.

I saw this tip on PBS' Motor Week. There is a company called Dorman HELP! that makes a product called Key Fob Repair, part #13601. It is a rubbery rectangle sleeve that stretches around the fob and has a retainer on the top for your own key ring to go through. Just snip off your own key eye and stretch the repair sleeve over your fob. I got mine at an O'Reilly's.

Go Jayhawks

Bruce W.

I was just looking on E-bay the other day cause I only got 1 remote with my Rauder and some of the ones for my other rigs are looking crappy and you can now buy a replacement case for around $6, which includes a new button sheet and both halves of the case. In the past I've seen replacement button sheets too.

[TFB]

That FOB repair is a good idea...

I had one in poor condition for my '98 GM and just swapped the circuit board into another case, that's sometimes easier said than done, as there are at least two types... One mounts the battery in the back of the case while the other mounts it on the circuit board, they are not interchangeable...