ViennaMustang

I drive a 1999 convertible (V6), and today when i was going to my car to open the trunk, the key broke off....so part of my key is inside the trunk hole...i do have a spare key, which opened the door but when i put it in the ignition, the car just kept turning and turning and never actually started. the windows would open, door would open, etc...but the car wouldnt start. my car has never had problems (i also just replaced the fuel filter last week, and just filled up gas yesterday so im not out of gas or anything).

i know my regular key has a black handle to it which im told has micro chips in it? when i use the spare key, the "theft" light blinks on and off.....so maybe thats why the car didnt actually start? could it also be the fuel pump? i doubt its the fuel pump because the car has always been good, and i just changed the filter.

when i got the tow truck to take the car to my house, i put the broken key in the ignition to see what would happen...and the car started but it kept misfiring...like it wasnt running on all 6 cylinders.

ugh, confusing. do any of u know what it could be? i hope its just a problem with the key.

LilRoush

If your spare doesn't have the chip, it won't work. Part of the PATS set up these things have.

baddog671

Yup, your f'd. I've heard those keys aren't cheap.

That's why I always use my remote lock for the doors and trunk...

ViennaMustang

its odd because the LAST spare key i had, always worked. but this is a different one, and it doesnt work. the last one didnt have a black handle, so i assume it didnt have a chip in it.

so u think its the key? i hope its not the fuel pump. my car has had zero problems whatsoever since i got it, and never acted weird so i couldnt imagine it being the fuel pump.

LilRoush

If the theft light is blinking, it's not picking up the PATS chip in the key. Blow some air into the ingition slot and see if that helps.

baddog671

Some cars have "dummy keys", perhaps that's what u got?

alig33

whats a dumy key?

Ace_2000

I thought the keys with the chips in them didn't start until the 2000 models?

hookedonkronik

I have a 1997 v6 with a chip in my key. I have no replacement and when asked about how much, was told its expensive to get a real replica that will start the ignition. You can get a cheap replica made without the chip, but it wont start the car.

Ace_2000

I bought my 2004 V6 used and it came with only 1 programmed key. I talked to the local Ford dealer and they said it would cost $25 for the key and more than twice that to program it.