How to: Program a PATS key.
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6th Gear Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,786
From: Virginia
How to: Program a PATS key.
How to program a replacement PATS key
Please keep in mind....
This and other how-to articles are provided for informational purposes only. Perform the procedures at your own risk. Mustang Forums is not responsible for any damage that may occur as a result of performing procedures outlined in any article. Please be sure to read and understand the entire article before doing this.
These instructions will save you a lot of money. The dealer wants at least $50 just to do this simple procedure.....
To start off, I'll explain a bit about what a PATS key is, what it does, and why this might concern you.
PATS is an acronym that stands for Passive Anti-Theft System (Ford also calls this SecuriLock). It is also called a transponder key. It is a security feature found on most (if not all) new Ford products, and what it does is disable your vehicle's starter unless your specially programmed key is used to start the vehicle. There is a computer chip inside of the key, and without that you will NOT be able to start the vehicle -- even if you have a regular (non-PATS) key with the correct cuts, it will not work.
For convenience, Here's a list of other vehicles that these instructions apply:
Ford Contour ?98?up
F-150 ?98-up
Ford Crown Victoria ?97-up
Ford Escort 99-up
Ford Excursion ?00-up
Ford Expedition ?98?up
Ford Explorer ?98-up
Ford Focus ?00-up
Ford Mustang ?96-up
Ford Ranger ?98-up
Ford Taurus ?96-up
Ford Windstar ?98-up
Lincoln Continental ?98-up
Lincoln LS ?00-up
Lincoln Mark VIII ?98-up
Lincoln Navigator ?98-up
Lincoln Town Car ?98-up
Mercury Grand Marquis ?97-up
Mercury Mountaineer ?98-up
Mercury Mystique ?98-up
Mercury Sable ?96-up
NOTE: These instructions may apply to more or less vehicles than those listed above. I cannot confirm that these procedures work for every year and model listed. See your dealer if to confirm this.
On-Board Programming Method "B"
for Ford keys (1996 -early 1998 Ford, Lincoln, Mercury)
If you want to initiate a new master key....
1. Insert new key into ignition cylinder and turn it to the ON (RUN) position. The security light on the dash will flash for fifteen minutes.
2. When the security light stops flashing, you have FIVE minutes to start the next step. Turn the ignition cylinder OFF and then back to the ON (RUN) position. The security light on the dash will flash for fifteen more minutes.
3. When the security light stops flashing, you have FIVE minutes to start the next step. Turn the ignition cylinder to OFF and then back ON (RUN) position. The dash will flash for fifteen more minutes.
4. After the security light stops flashing the third time, the new key has been programmed into the vehicles computer and will operate the car. It has replaced ALL the previous electronic key codes and is the ONLY key programmed into the vehicles computer.
If you want to add a key....
1. Insert an existing key into the ignition cylinder.
2. Turn the ignition cylinder to ON (RUN) and back to OFF.
3. Remove the existing key and, within 15 seconds, insert the new key and turn it to ON (RUN).
4. The security light will light up for two seconds to indicate success in programming the key into the vehicle.
5. Don't attempt to start the vehicle with any key for at least 1 minute.
On-Board Programming Method "C"
for Ford keys (Later 1998-newer Ford, Lincoln, Mercury)
If you want to initiate a new master key....
1. This requires that the vehicle be connected to special dealer equipment. There are two ten minute delays involved while this device erases all existing key programming and sets up the vehicle computer to accept new key codes. Two new keys should be ready because the system requires a minimum of two keys in the program. After the first two keys are programmed, additional keys can be entered individually by following the instructions for adding duplicate keys (below).
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 and 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
Here is a link to an Ebay search page to start looking for blank PATS key for your application.
http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=mus...+key&_osacat=0
SXYNERD-O
Please keep in mind....
This and other how-to articles are provided for informational purposes only. Perform the procedures at your own risk. Mustang Forums is not responsible for any damage that may occur as a result of performing procedures outlined in any article. Please be sure to read and understand the entire article before doing this.
These instructions will save you a lot of money. The dealer wants at least $50 just to do this simple procedure.....
To start off, I'll explain a bit about what a PATS key is, what it does, and why this might concern you.
PATS is an acronym that stands for Passive Anti-Theft System (Ford also calls this SecuriLock). It is also called a transponder key. It is a security feature found on most (if not all) new Ford products, and what it does is disable your vehicle's starter unless your specially programmed key is used to start the vehicle. There is a computer chip inside of the key, and without that you will NOT be able to start the vehicle -- even if you have a regular (non-PATS) key with the correct cuts, it will not work.
For convenience, Here's a list of other vehicles that these instructions apply:
Ford Contour ?98?up
F-150 ?98-up
Ford Crown Victoria ?97-up
Ford Escort 99-up
Ford Excursion ?00-up
Ford Expedition ?98?up
Ford Explorer ?98-up
Ford Focus ?00-up
Ford Mustang ?96-up
Ford Ranger ?98-up
Ford Taurus ?96-up
Ford Windstar ?98-up
Lincoln Continental ?98-up
Lincoln LS ?00-up
Lincoln Mark VIII ?98-up
Lincoln Navigator ?98-up
Lincoln Town Car ?98-up
Mercury Grand Marquis ?97-up
Mercury Mountaineer ?98-up
Mercury Mystique ?98-up
Mercury Sable ?96-up
NOTE: These instructions may apply to more or less vehicles than those listed above. I cannot confirm that these procedures work for every year and model listed. See your dealer if to confirm this.
On-Board Programming Method "B"
for Ford keys (1996 -early 1998 Ford, Lincoln, Mercury)
If you want to initiate a new master key....
1. Insert new key into ignition cylinder and turn it to the ON (RUN) position. The security light on the dash will flash for fifteen minutes.
2. When the security light stops flashing, you have FIVE minutes to start the next step. Turn the ignition cylinder OFF and then back to the ON (RUN) position. The security light on the dash will flash for fifteen more minutes.
3. When the security light stops flashing, you have FIVE minutes to start the next step. Turn the ignition cylinder to OFF and then back ON (RUN) position. The dash will flash for fifteen more minutes.
4. After the security light stops flashing the third time, the new key has been programmed into the vehicles computer and will operate the car. It has replaced ALL the previous electronic key codes and is the ONLY key programmed into the vehicles computer.
If you want to add a key....
1. Insert an existing key into the ignition cylinder.
2. Turn the ignition cylinder to ON (RUN) and back to OFF.
3. Remove the existing key and, within 15 seconds, insert the new key and turn it to ON (RUN).
4. The security light will light up for two seconds to indicate success in programming the key into the vehicle.
5. Don't attempt to start the vehicle with any key for at least 1 minute.
On-Board Programming Method "C"
for Ford keys (Later 1998-newer Ford, Lincoln, Mercury)
If you want to initiate a new master key....
1. This requires that the vehicle be connected to special dealer equipment. There are two ten minute delays involved while this device erases all existing key programming and sets up the vehicle computer to accept new key codes. Two new keys should be ready because the system requires a minimum of two keys in the program. After the first two keys are programmed, additional keys can be entered individually by following the instructions for adding duplicate keys (below).
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 and 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
Here is a link to an Ebay search page to start looking for blank PATS key for your application.
http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=mus...+key&_osacat=0
SXYNERD-O
Last edited by Sxynerd; Nov 19, 2009 at 02:43 PM.
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 19
From: NC
Last time I was at my local Ford dealer the parts counter employee told me that a new key (97 Mustang GT) would be $30 and that programming the key would cost $50. She also told me that if I had 2 existing keys for the car I could skip the $50 programming fee and do it myself. Question is, why would I need 2 existing keys for the car? 
On-Board Programming Method "B" doesn't mention anything about needing a second key.
On-Board Programming Method "B" doesn't mention anything about needing a second key.
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1
From: FL
Worked for my '06 GT Coupe
Great information! Method C worked for me.
When I bought the car new ten years ago, I read there was a way to enable a third PATS key if you had the two OEM keys. However, the method I found was outdated. When it didn't work, complacency set in, and I never did anything beyond ordering a PATS blank on ebay, having it cut by a neighborhood locksmith, and trying to enable it. At that point, I was in it for all of $9.
Then last week, someone picked up the OEM key I was using. When the key came home to roost after 4 days -- 4 days of thinking "Now what if I lose the last key?" -- I thought I'd better get on it and try again to activate the new spare, while I could lay hands on the two OEMs. Success! Now both OEM keys live in the spare-key box, and I carry the new key.
The new key doesn't say "Ford" :-( but what does one expect for $3.95? Thanks for this post! That would have been $100 at the dealer in Seattle 5 years ago.
When I bought the car new ten years ago, I read there was a way to enable a third PATS key if you had the two OEM keys. However, the method I found was outdated. When it didn't work, complacency set in, and I never did anything beyond ordering a PATS blank on ebay, having it cut by a neighborhood locksmith, and trying to enable it. At that point, I was in it for all of $9.
Then last week, someone picked up the OEM key I was using. When the key came home to roost after 4 days -- 4 days of thinking "Now what if I lose the last key?" -- I thought I'd better get on it and try again to activate the new spare, while I could lay hands on the two OEMs. Success! Now both OEM keys live in the spare-key box, and I carry the new key.
The new key doesn't say "Ford" :-( but what does one expect for $3.95? Thanks for this post! That would have been $100 at the dealer in Seattle 5 years ago.
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