Please help!! Lost my only key to 99 explorer

[kenified06]

I have had my explorer parked for a couple months while I have saved up for a new transmission. My transmission is now on the way and my keys have vanished. I was wondering what my options would be at this point. Since it has the PATS system with chip in the key Im guessing buying a new standard ignition with key is not going to do any good. Is there any way to put a standard ignition system in and bypass the pats system? There is no locksmith around here that has the tools to make and program a new key. There is no ford dealership anywhere close. Any information on what I could do would be great.

 

[koda2000]

your only options are to have a locksmith with the required equipment come to you, have your truck towed to the Ford dealership for them to make new keys, or find your one key and have another key made. other than finding your key, it's gonna cost you. the only way you can make/program additional keys is by having 2 working keys, or having your one working key cloned.

 

[boominXplorer]

Where in Va are you? Locksmith is going to be the only way. Most charge between $150-200 to make 2 keys

 

[kenified06]

Im in Southwest VA. I called the closest ford dealerships to my town and was told they can only go back 10 years so they couldn't help and to call a locksmith. There is no locksmith anywhere close to here that would answer the phone. A few had disconnected numbers. Am I going to have to scrap my explorer that I have 4,000 dollars in at a junk yard over a 2 dollar key??? I'll also be out 600 bucks for the transmission I just purchased for it.

 

[koda2000]

Im in Southwest VA. I called the closest ford dealerships to my town and was told they can only go back 10 years so they couldn't help and to call a locksmith. There is no locksmith anywhere close to here that would answer the phone. A few had disconnected numbers. Am I going to have to scrap my explorer that I have 4,000 dollars in at a junk yard over a 2 dollar key??? I'll also be out 600 bucks for the transmission I just purchased for it.

i had keys made/programmed for my 2000, at my local Ford dealer, last year. there's gotta be a locksmith somewhere near where you live. if i were you, i'd keep looking for your key. the only other thing i can think of is to find another '99 that you can take the ECU and locks from. BTW, the RF keys are quite a bit more than $2 (more like $25 each).

 

[TomCat_Ford]

I'd continue searching for your key and I'd continue trying to get in touch with a qualified locksmith. The last thing on my mind would be scrapping a vehicle that I have sunk a fair amount of money in all because I lost the key. Good luck.

 

[Turdle]

Another method to work around this and not waste money doing so.

You might call James Henson at hensonperformance.com

See if he can get you an xcal device with a PATS delete written on the tune files for your engine. If it works, the money spent will result in a nice handy tool, with tune files to increase performance or economy.

You will still need to have a key cut, but it will not need to be programmed to the truck. If this can be done that is. I am not sure if you need a working pats key to reprogram the PCM with the new tune files-James would know.

 

[kenified06]

I was thinking about going to a salvage yard and getting what I need off another 99.. What would I need.. Ignition cylinder with key, computer, what else... might be able to get all that alot cheaper than a way out of town locksmith.. Id never scrap my explorer but its pretty frustrating that a miss placed key would be this difficult to fix.

 

[1992fordgreen]

Do you know, having one key around isn't the best idea in the world. Just sayin. If I where you, it'd be worth it to search every nook and cranny in your house and yard. It's somewhere.

 

[kenified06]

yep it has to be around somewhere.. I'll keep looking for it