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Wrong Key in ignition

B

.Boston.

New CEG'er
Joined
Apr 18, 2010
Messages
18
Ok so one of my friends was moving my car only 10 feet, he was sitting in my car and i threw him my keys, then he puts my house key in the ignition and tries to start it, it gets stuck and we try to get it out but the cheap key breaks off..

So my car is a 98 svt and was made in 12/97, i called up autozone and other places and have asked about the key cylinders and they said before Feb. of 98 i would not need to program the new key at the ford dealership.

Is this true?
 
i wish it was that simple but the inside of the cylinder is half way destroyed from trying to get the key out and i already bought a new one for $34, the thing is will i need to go to the ford dealership to get the key programed?
 
I replaced the key cylinder in a 98 SE (E0) and I did have to take it to the dealership to have them program a new key. I think the later PATS system (1998.5 and up) can be programmed at home if you have one original key.
 
what autozone was refering to was pre98 contours as they didn't have a PATs system.

for your E0 you only need one key to program a new key. 98.5 and later you need two keys to program an additional key.

best bet is to have a locksmith replace the igintion cylinder and see if they can key it to the old key. if not just get a new pats key and program it yourself or swap the chip from the old key to the new one. note to swap the chip it needs to be an oem key, aftermarket ones don't have the little access door on the key to get to the chip.
 
You missed the step involving hurting the friend that got the key stuck in the ignition. Who gets a HOUSE key stuck in an ignition? Really?
 
haha yea i really couldn't believe it when he did it, i mean there where only 2 damn keys on the ring and the the damn car key looks and is 3 times the size as my house key... but i swapped the cylinders and got 2 new keys, the thing is that the new key feels like its not chipped just because of the weight difference compared to my old key which is not even the original key to the car, at some point in the cars life it was replaced
how i start the car is kinda funny, i hold the old key next to the new key to let the sensor pick up the chip and it will start ha..
 
and no lol it was seriously a dumbass redneck friend of mine
i only call him redneck because he drives a 91 gt mustang and cant even figure out how to put the right key in the ignition...
 
ok so i guess i got the wrong key and cylinder, well not cylinder but key..
can i easily swap the chip from the original key to the new key? or just get a new key that has a chip in it and get it to replace the new key i just bought the program it..

thanks for the input though
 
You can take the chip out and zip tie or tape it to the receiver that is under the steering column shroud... its a black plastic ring around the ignition cylinder housing... as long as that chip is there, the new key will start the car...

as it sounds from one of your previous posts, holding the old key up to it while turning the new key will start the car... so ziptieing the chip to the reciever will do the same thing, but you wont have to worry about holding the key up anymore...

simple solution and wont cost you anymore $...
 
before i got the cylinder i took the receiver and put the key next to it and used a screw driver and turned the switch "brown plastic cylinder on other end of key cylinder" to start the car lol but im gonna go with just taping the chip to the receiver, im done spending money on this stuff that wasnt even my fault to begin with..
 
too bad your not around here. My local lock smith replaced the cylinder, and programed a new key for me for $75. Maybe he's hurting for business...
 
The ford dealership will charge me $65 for making me a new key with a chip and program it.
i just replaced the cylinder at my house and it would have been a lot easier if i could have gotten it to click
power drill and large bits FTW
 
You do realize that by taping the chip to the PATS halo that your bypassing the entire purpose of the system don't you? Any normal strength dude with a butter knife can now drive away with your car. If you live in a good area I wouldn't worry about it. If your screen name was .Detroit I would tell you to get a new key programed.
 
Did you get a key with the chip in it or one without? If you don't have a new chip key, just go get a chipped key have it cut and program it yourself. You said you have model year 98, so the one key or two key is not an issue, you already have one working "chip" in your possession. The one working "chip" key and a correctly cut blank (based on what you have said..you are able to put the chip key near your column and using your newly cut key) is all you need to properly program additional keys for your 98. If you have a 99 and up model, you will need two working/already programmed "chip" to add new keys.
 
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