Key Fob Replacement - What are my options?

I need a new fob, and noticed there are lots on ebay. Fobs that are specifically for 1999 EB Explorers are much more then say, a 1999 F150. Can I use the F150 fob or any other fob?

I would be nice to pick one up at a cheaper price...

Having a '99 model you should have no trouble finding a reasonably priced fob. Here is my reference list.

Ford Truck Keyless Remote Fob Applications

2L3T-15K601-AA (2L3T15K601AA)
FCC ID : CWTWB1U331
CAN : 1788 104 575 (1788104575)

The 3 button (LOCK,UNLOCK AND HORN) keyless entry remote control will work with many different year and model Ford's, Lincoln's Mercury's and Mazda's Including:
· 1996-06 Ford Econoline Van E-150
· 2000-06 Ford Escape
· 2000-06 Ford Excursion
· 1998-03 Ford Explorer (2 Door)
· 1998-05 Ford Explorer (4 Door) Later years unconfirmed.
· 1998-06 F-150-, F-250, F-350
· 2005-06 Ford Freestyle
· 2004-06 Ford Freestar
· 1998-06 Ford Ranger
· 2000-05 Ford Sport Trac
· 1998-03 Ford Windstar
· 1998-02 Lincoln Navigator
· 1998-06 Mazda B2500, B3000, B4000
· 2001-06 Mazda Tribute
· 2005-06 Mercury Mariner
· 2004-06 Mercury Montero
· 1998-01 Mercury Mountaineer
· 2010 Transit Connect
I also have a 4 Button remote that works my 98 F150, 99 Mustang, 01 & 02 Sport Tracs, 08 E250, my Mom’s 05 Escape an my uncles 03 F150. Therefore I suppose the above 3 button list, in it’s entirety, applies to this 4 button remote also.

The 4 button has these numbers on the back:
2S4T-15K601-AA
FCC ID: CWTWB1U331
CAN: 1788 104 575

Does the 4th button do anything for our Explorers? I have a 2000 Sport and never had a fob. Just wondering if there's any reason I might want to get the 4 button as opposed to the 3 button...

2KExplorerSport said:

Does the 4th button do anything for our Explorers?

Click to expand...

Seat "EJECT" button for the mouthy wife/mother-in-law seat !:biggthump

Thanks ncranchero. I appreciate the help!

I have a 97 ex, know what fob will work?

khj

Assuming you have factory remote entry:
1997 XLT 3 button remote - FCC ID: GQ43VT4T DOC: 1470 K763 TRW INC 3165189

Repplacement fob

RomeovilleIL said:

khj

Assuming you have factory remote entry:
1997 XLT 3 button remote - FCC ID: GQ43VT4T DOC: 1470 K763 TRW INC 3165189

Click to expand...

Thanks, I'm pretty sure it is factory, I got the doorcode off the module following instructions found on this forum. Thanks again, I'm new to this forum stuff and a new member.

ncranchero said:

Seat "EJECT" button for the mouthy wife/mother-in-law seat !:biggthump

Click to expand...

:biggthump
I'll take the 4 button remote. lmao

RomeovilleIL said:

khj

Assuming you have factory remote entry:
1997 XLT 3 button remote - FCC ID: GQ43VT4T DOC: 1470 K763 TRW INC 3165189

Click to expand...

In doing some research for someone else I came up with this info.
I can not confirm it is 100% correct.

1992-1998 FORD KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTE
• FCC ID: GQ43VT4T
• DOC: 1470 K763
• TRW INC 3165189
FORD # F6UZ-15K601-AB 3 Button Remote

1997 FORD EXPEDITION
1997 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR
1994-1997 F-Series F150 F-150
1994-1997 F-Series F250 F-250
1994-1997 F-Series F350 F-350
1994-1996 FORD BRONCO
1992-1998.5 FORD ECONOLINE
1993-1997 FORD EXPLORER
1993-1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER
1993-1997 FORD PROBE
1995-1998 ( NOT 1998.5) FORD WINDSTAR

FCC ID: GQ43VT4T
DOC 1470 K763
TRW INC 3165189
4 Button
1993-1997 Ford Taurus
1993-1997 Mercury Sable
1993-1997 Ford Thunderbird
1993-1994 Lincoln Town Car
1994-1998 Ford Mustang
1992-1994 Lincoln Continental
1995-2000 Ford Contour
1995-2000 Mercury Mystique
1993-1997 Mercury Cougar
1993-1994 Ford Crown Victoria
1993-1994 Mercury Grand Marquis
1997 Ford Escort
1997 Mercury Tracer

ncranchero said:

Seat "EJECT" button for the mouthy wife/mother-in-law seat !:biggthump

Click to expand...

2KExplorerSport said:

:biggthump
I'll take the 4 button remote. lmao

Click to expand...

I'm surprised the 4 button ones haven't become scarce after that revelation!!

There is a place in FL that I found on line. I bought the remote for my 96 for less than $25.00. Can't remember the name but thry were quick. Their directions for reprogtamming were really easy.

I picked up a 3 button for my 2000 on Amazon for around $10. I think most ford fobs will work as long as it has the buttons you need. I was even able to program my 2007 mercury fob to unlock the truck (I wouldn't reccommend this, since it caused the key to drop the security code for my car and it won't work anymore, even the Ford dealer can get that key reprogrammed to start the car.).

ncranchero said:

In doing some research for someone else I came up with this info...

• FCC ID: GQ43VT4T
• DOC: 1470 K763
• TRW INC 3165189
...3 Button Remote

1993-1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER

Click to expand...

I can confirm those particular lines. They match the key fob I have exactly.

I bought my truck with no remote. Can I buy a used one and use it? I do not have keyless entry just regular door locks that you have to use a key to open.

dean1997sport said:

I bought my truck with no remote. Can I buy a used one and use it? I do not have keyless entry just regular door locks that you have to use a key to open.

Click to expand...

Does the truck have power door locks you can activate from inside? If yes, then you can test to see whether the system will program a remote by turning the ignition from off to run (but don't start) 5 or 8 times in a row and stopping on run. This power locks will cycle signalling the truck is ready to receive a new fob. If you had one, you would simply press any button on it, the locks would cycle again. Wait 30 seconds, turn key to off. Wait 1 minute. You are done.

If you do not have power locks in the truck, you can certainly add them. You will need to get actuators for every lock you want to control along with a receiver. Factory will be expensive new. You can always search for used from someone parting out.

From a cost standpoint, the easiest/cheapest is an aftermarket system. You can get generic systems for less than $75 with 4 actuators, system control, and 2 fobs (check ebay). Since you have a sport, you could cover both door and the hatch with 1 spare. Follow the instructions and expect to run wires and drill a few holes. It's not a hard job, just time consuming.

Yes I have electric door locks! I will give this a try thank you

gadourym said:

I picked up a 3 button for my 2000 on Amazon for around $10. I think most ford fobs will work as long as it has the buttons you need. I was even able to program my 2007 mercury fob to unlock the truck (I wouldn't recommend this, since it caused the key to drop the security code for my car and it won't work anymore, even the Ford dealer can get that key reprogrammed to start the car.).

Click to expand...

The remote fob has absolutely no effect on your chipped key.

Almost all the "standard" Ford key fobs 1999 & up are interchangeable to some degree. Ones with less buttons just won't have the functionality that the others do. I have an 04 Mach 1, an '05 F-150, and an '08 Focus, and I've programmed one remote to run all 3. I used the Mach and Focus fob's because the F-150 doesn't have a trunk button on it. My buddy had a '99 Explorer and lost one of his. We successfully programmed the truck to accept one of my spare Mach 1 remotes...

ncranchero said:

The remote fob has absolutely no effect on your chipped key.

Click to expand...

I second that. PATS keys have nothing to do with the door lock key fobs.

I would suggest the if anyone needs a new or replacement fob, look up the parts number for your specific vehicle and get the right one. They are not an expensive item through ebay. You'll be better served buying the right one used for $15 delivered than chasing your tail hoping to get the wrong ones to work.

As for the idea of programming more than one car on a fob, I assume each car has a different set of keys. Maybe you got all them on one keyring and makes it convenient, but doesn't that guarantee theives easy pickens when you unlock all the cars at once but only drive away in one?