Originally posted by CarpePoon:
did you know that there is also a master code written in the VIN for keypad entry vehicles?? A mechanic at my old job showed me how you could remote start and unlock the doors of a newer grand marquis simply by reading the vin and entering the code on the keypad. Only problem is the steering is still locked.



There is a factory set code for each car, but not one code for every car with a keypad. Trust me, the dealer just won't "give" someone the factory code for your car. It's harder to get that from a dealer than it is to have a key cut. Also, many of the units fail and need to be replaced, and the dealer won't have the code to the new unit in the database.

Also, I'm not sure how the mechanic started the car with the keypad because I've looked at the schematic and wiring diagram of the ford keypad system, and it is in no way connected to your ignition module.

Auto manufacturers are wise to this little key cutting scheme, and now some of them give you a key tag with a number on it. You not only have to have the VIN, but the tag with the numbers to obtain a replacement key. The dealer does not have this number in their database, but they must enter it before they can get a key pattern.