Bought 1997 Explorer V8 AWD BUT JUST ONE KEY - need spare!!

[ELeBlanc]

I'm sure I'm not the first. I've also heard dealers only have key information going back 15 years. Looking for the voice(s) of experience.
Thanks in advance.
Einar

 

[SupaSwope]

You can buy the spares off ebay with the clickers, a lot of locksmiths can program the keys for you, Just have to call around.

 

[ELeBlanc]

So it is a chip key - right? I'll go check ebay right now thanks

 

[SupaSwope]

Yeah its a chip key

 

[koda2000]

Definitely buy your spare key(s) off eBay or Amazon. You can save a lot of money over buying them from Ford or a locksmith. You can have the dealer or a locksmith program the key for you, or you can have it cloned at ACE or some Walmart's, but cloned keys do not allow you to program additional keys by yourself. I also think I've read about some phone app which allows you to program you own key, but I don't know anything about that. Whatever you do, make sure you get a second key or you'll be sorry.

 

[SWIGIN]

I only had one clone key for my 98 EX so I had to go to Ford since no one around here would/could make me new keys off of it.

I had 3 made from Ford and it was around $80 If I'm remembering right.

 

[96eb96]

Forscan software allows key programming.

 

[ELeBlanc]

Found someone on EBay who is selling keys and he's in Brooklyn where I am. He says he can program two original Ford Keys for me for total of $50 or two clone keys for less.

 

[SoHK_alumni]

Hmmm, thought PATS was introduced with the MY '98 Explorer, prior to that, should not have or need a chip'd key.

 

[koda2000]

Hmmm, thought PATS was introduced with the MY '98 Explorer, prior to that, should not have or need a chip'd key.

PATS was introduced in '98. Who said anything about anything pre '98?

 

[SoHK_alumni]

Well, was thinking the title "Bought 1997 Explorer V8 AWD BUT JUST ONE KEY - need spare!!" seemed to suggest a pre 1998 Explorer.

Did 1997 come after PATS was introduced for the 1998 model year?

 

[RandomNerd2000]

I've never seen a 97 with PATS, and we had one back when these things were as common as dirt, just get a key made. If you have a thin key without a biscuit attached, you have a non PATS key, if it's just a steel blank or a boot on it, you have non PATs, cheap keys to get made, but also easier cars to steal, careful where you stick spare keys

 

[koda2000]

Well, was thinking the title "Bought 1997 Explorer V8 AWD BUT JUST ONE KEY - need spare!!" seemed to suggest a pre 1998 Explorer.

Did 1997 come after PATS was introduced for the 1998 model year?

Oh, I was looking at the PO's profile and didn't even consider the thread title. My '97 doesn't have PATS. As far as I know '98 was the first year for PATS, but I suppose it's possible a late production '97 might have had it.

OP, what does your one key head look like? PATS keys have a larger plastic head and if you look carefully you should be able to see where the chip is inserted into the top of the plastic head.

 

[ELeBlanc]

found this link http://www.denver-locksmith.net/2013/09/ford-explorer-key-replacement/ which also says PATS started in Explorers in 1998.

• If your Ford Explorer was made in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, or 1997 then you have just a regular key. Most likely the only place you will be able to make a key is with a locksmith company. The reason is, is because the Ford dealership only keeps key information for ten years. A locksmith will have other tools to make you a key, such as Ford try out keys or they can just disassemble one of you car locks, such as your door locks, glove box lock, trunk lock, etc., to get the information.

Picking up truck today

 

[koda2000]

found this link http://www.denver-locksmith.net/2013/09/ford-explorer-key-replacement/ which also says PATS started in Explorers in 1998.

• If your Ford Explorer was made in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, or 1997 then you have just a regular key. Most likely the only place you will be able to make a key is with a locksmith company. The reason is, is because the Ford dealership only keeps key information for ten years. A locksmith will have other tools to make you a key, such as Ford try out keys or they can just disassemble one of you car locks, such as your door locks, glove box lock, trunk lock, etc., to get the information.

Picking up truck today

Yeah, if it's a '97 (odd that I missed that in your title. I guess I just got caught up in the conversation) it should just be a regular key, and as you have one to use as a pattern you can get a duplicate made pretty much anywhere (but I've never had any luck with my Home Depot cutting me any type of key for some reason). Places like Ace Hardware should have the blank you need, but if you prefer I'm sure you can find them on-line. Next time you're under the truck look for a hide-a-way key. Many used vehicles I've bought had one, including my '97 Sport

Good luck with you new toy.

 

[RandomNerd2000]

^Yeah look for the hideaway key, on my 01, there was a fully chipped OEM key under there, found it putting the spare under

 

[ELeBlanc]

Picked up the vehicle. It has two keys not one. They appear to be regular keys not chip keys.
Thanks everyone for the education.

 

[JohnsIsland]

My 96/97 Mounty does not have a chip key.

I would be surprised if a 97 Explorer is a chip key, but I am not a resident expert. Is the key you have just a standard metal key, or does it have a plastic head. If you post a picture, you might receive better answers from the resident experts.

 

[ELeBlanc]

Its not a chip key. I started the thread before I'd picked up the vehicle and I was told one key and its a chip key but when I picked it up this was wrong on both accounts.