tow vehicle keys

[Fast_Mopar]

Since I respect the opinion and experience of many members, I wanted to ask for some feedback. When we purchased our 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan, it came with 2 key fobs. The key fobs are the new electronic fobs with several buttons. Last week my wife lost her key fob, so now we are down to only one key. I need to get another key fob made, and I also want to have a spare key fob made. Three different Dodge dealers in the area quoted me a price of $300 per key fob for a total of $600 for 2 keys. They said the key itself is $200 and programming is $100. Since three different Dodge dealers quoted me the same price, I guess that is the going rate. Maybe I am just being a tightwad, but it just seems that spending $600 for two keys is a lot.

The keys are available on the internet for around $30-$40 each. All three Dodge dealerships told me that if I brought in keys purchased on the internet, they would not program them. Some locksmiths in the area have the capability to program them at a much lower cost, so that is probably what I will do.

In the past, you could program the keys yourself. However, apparently for the do-it-yourself programming, you need to have 2 good keys and I now only have 1 key. Plus, I was also told that after 2011, the do-it-yourself programming cannot be done (at least for these vehicles).

But, has anyone else done this recently? Have you had any issues with a locksmith programming new key fobs purchased on the internet?

Thank you in advance for the feedback.

[rhagfo]

BenK wrote:
Wonder if there is a way to kill that lost fob...therefore the one you still have...

Otherwise, the baddies can access your vehicle if they 'found' the lost fob...

Yes, reprogramming new key kills any key not programmed at the same time. I was told even using the key to open the door without the correct program would set off the alarm.

[bucky]

I have had good luck with the clicky below. Doesn't work for all, but a good reference source.

you know the drill

The new laser cut keys are a PITA, the machine costs big bucks.
Better yet, keep your keys in your pocket. Some of the tourists in OC must check their brains at the Bay Bridge. Then it's every bodies fault but theirs when their keys go missing. On Saturday at 7PM and they have to go home in the morning.

[Chopperbob]

You need three to start with. If you have one get a blank
Have a lock Smith key it then have him program it.
Cost me $100.
I now have four with fobs. No more screwing around for me.
I learned my lesson!

[Fast_Mopar]

emorris548 wrote:
I just bought a new toad which only had one key & Fob. The dealer turned me on to a web site called keylessride.com. When you buy a fob They send you the instruction on how to program the fob. For the chip in the key, they send you a list of lock smiths in your zip code who can do the programming. Hope this may help you out.

Thanks. And, thanks to everyone else who responded.

[45Ricochet]

My 2015 Canyon is the first vehicle in a long time without a FOB but I miss that little thing. I find myself double checking for "key in hand" all the time before hitting the lock button and closing the door :E
They are expensive to replace but I have found dealer rates for anything are usually double the cost that the independent shop would charge.

[emorris548]

I just bought a new toad which only had one key & Fob. The dealer turned me on to a web site called keylessride.com. When you buy a fob They send you the instruction on how to program the fob. For the chip in the key, they send you a list of lock smiths in your zip code who can do the programming. Hope this may help you out.

[Pangaea_Ron]

I had my 2000 Jeep GC keys made at my local locksmith. If they provided the keys, they would guarantee them, If I brought my own blanks in, they couldn't/wouldn't. It cost me $20 more/key, but it was 1/3 of the dealer cost. I had them do it.

With my 2014 Honda CR-V, my local locksmith could not get key blanks from Honda until next year. They said that I could go to my Honda dealer to try to get the blanks, who actually would not sell me the blanks unless I booked time (1 hour minimum) in the Service Department for me to get the blanks???? What a rip-off.

[The_Texan]

Just went through this with the wife's Jeep. Bought an exact OEM key on ebay from a Jeep/Chrysler dealer in OR for well UNDER $100 and the local locksmith had the required Chrysler computer to program the key and his charge was $30. So, there are much cheaper alternatives available.

[Terryallan]

enblethen wrote:
Computer in car does not know that you are re-inserting the same key.

Mine does. I can program the car to only run up to a certain seed on one key, and run normal on the other

[ktmrfs]

sremsing wrote:
Locksmith can do it for far less, and they just might have your fob.

It's getting harder and harder for locksmiths to program keys. I know of several brands where the ONLY way to get a key is to go to a dealer with registration, ID, get your picture taken, sign forms in order to order a key, which then comes from a factory programming center. Usually overnight next AM delivery. They are matched to your VIN number then either you or the dealer can activate it.

Based on some mfg, no one has found a way to get around dealer purchase of a key.

It's good news/bad news. Harder for theives, and more of a PITA for us as well.

[sremsing]

Locksmith can do it for far less, and they just might have your fob.

[ktmrfs]

Fast Mopar wrote:

enblethen wrote:
You can program new keys to the system if you have two valid Sentry Keys® by performing the following procedure:

Yes, I already saw that in the owner's manual, but as stated above, I only have 1 key now instead of 2 keys, and 2 keys are required to do the self-programming.

strange, on my denali or MB all it takes is ONE valid key. two is kinda an oxymoron. Unless from the start you buy an extra key your kinda SOL if you loose ONE.

[ktmrfs]

BenK wrote:
Wonder if there is a way to kill that lost fob...therefore the one you still have...

Otherwise, the baddies can access your vehicle if they 'found' the lost fob...

On my denali and my 04 silverado and my two mercedes, YES disabling a key or fob is possible and actually pretty easy to do.

In one case you take the keys or remotes you have and go through a process similar to a new key but instead of adding a key, you identify the keys you have and the other keys or remotes then become non functional.

[ktmrfs]

enblethen wrote:
Computer in car does not know that you are re-inserting the same key.

depends on the vehicle, but in many cases on newer vehicles YES it does know which key is inserted.

On my 2015 denali pickup you can have up to 8 individual keys programmmed for the car. the vehicle knows which key is inserted. you can program various vehicle functions based on the key.

for example for a given key you can
limit maximum radio volume
not allow the radio to turn on if the seatbelt isn't fastened.
not allow the radio to turn on
change functions on the nav system.
have recording of vehicle max speed
enable a "teen driver function"
have the drivers seat adjust based on which key is inserted or which remote is used to unlock the car.

when I got extra keys, they were about $20 each. (not remote, just key) To get keys that would work they needed to come from a dealer and I had to show vehicle registration matching my name, show ID, sign a document, have a photo taken. They are programmed by the factory, and then there is a similar "learning" proces as what has been described earlier.

My older MB cars are similar. I can have the car "learn" them, but the only way to get a key is to get it from a dealer.