Long time Explorer guy on board requests emergency Ranger Assistance

[EasyRhino]

2003 Ford Ranger Edge is the car

Son managed to lose the only key he had. He is in the middle of no where late at night (he's not in Hawaii). The only locksmith he could contact stated that he was unable to cut a working key because the Ranger has a transponder in the OEM key.

What are his/our options?

Thanks in advance

 

[Turdle]

If a Key cannot be made at the truck's location, it will need to be towed to the dealership for a new key with the proper transponder code. I know of no way around it other than a PCM tune file, which, could be emailed to you and uploaded into the truck's PCM, if you had a working xcal device for that truck

The tunefile would turn the Pats off, which, in turn would allow any cut key to work.
I think any key will start the xcal functions, but I might be mistaken,. The instructions do state to "turn key to on" during the operation-

 

[cybergasm]

well unfortunately your options are pretty limited here since the truck won't start without the correct transponder key. most likely you need to have it towed to a Ford dealer and have them cut and program a new key for the truck.

 

[EasyRhino]

Thanks for the quick response, folks!

I found a dealer within a few (bazillion) miles, and will work on getting a tow going asap.

Follow up (much later).

Emergency Road Service (with car insurance co.) covered the tow to the dealer.

New keys were about 1-2 hours and $120, including the waiting and paperwork/checkout.

Not too bad (but avoidable).

Again, thanks for the help (Oh, and for those of you that have not done this - it is not as much fun as it sounds, so keep that spare key handy!)