My 2003 GT only came with one key. I had extra keys made and they work the locks fine, but will not start the car. Is there a chip in the original key? It works just fine. Thanks for your help guys!

 

DUH....sorry...just found the info! Is it true that a new key costs $60?????

 

I had a new key made at a Ford dealer years back...and IIRC it was about that price, give or take. It isn't as inexpensive as getting a house key made at a hardware store. The PATS chip in the key is why.

 

It's alot cheaper than having a locksmith come open your car when you leave the keys in it. Gotta have a spare.

 

There's a lot of keys out there that cost a lot more than that. My g/f's dad's audi cost like $400 for a new key.

 

Any competent, well equipped locksmith can make and program a key--does not have to be a dealer. My '03 GT came to me with just one key and a local shop cut and programmed it for $30. That was 4-1/2 years ago though...

 

cliffy, correct me if im wrong, but isnt a programmed key just a key with a resistor on it that produces a specific resistance, showing the key is "correct"?

they dont use RFID do they?

 

The local shop here charged me $60+... that was around January. But if you live in a bigger town than me you may be able to call around and see if you can get key shops to price match against each other and compete for your business.

Here there are really only a few good shops.

 

It is RFID.

The transceiver in the PATS module (standalone in some PATS types, and in the PCM or instrument cluster on others) energizes the key's transponder through the "halo" surrounding the key slot.

The transponder sends a encoded message to the PATS module, then the module sends a signal to the PCM to enable/disable the fuel pump and injectors (and starter in some models).

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OK, now for more than your ever wanted to know about PATS (SecuriLock™):

Of the seven PATS types Ford has made from 1996 through 2010 (A, B, C, D, E, F, and G), only three were used on Mustangs from '96 through '04; A, B, C.

Type A ('96 to '97) and type B ('98) use a standalone PATS module.

With type C ('99 to '04) the PATS module is integrated with the HEC (Hybrid Electronic Cluster; I.e. instrument cluster) and shares a unique security ID with the PCM that was programmed at the factory--so the HEC and PCM are "married". The car will not start if you swapping out either without also swapping its mate.

Type D was never used in Mustangs, it is all contained in the steering column lock module.

PATS type E (completely contained in the PCM, as is type F) was used from '05 to '09;

The 2010 models reverted to the type C type PATS--which IMHO, and apparently Ford's, is the most secure of them all.

Type G, also an instrument cluster/PCM system, is used in some '08 to '10 E-series vans, some '08 to '10 big F-series (> F-8500), and the '07 to '10 Ranger.

 

Cliff...

Dude...I'm so glad you're here. My brain feels larger.