Programming new keys with one original

[Fred M]

Hello all.
My 2006 Explorer (V8, Limited) which I bought new came with only one key. The salesman told me that the other had been lost while shipping the vehicle. He said that I could come back later to get another one made, but they would have to re-flash the computers and that they couldn't do it that day. I went back to the dealer about two weeks later to have this done and found that the place had changed ownership, and that I was out of luck, unless I wanted to pay whatever obscene price it was to have it done. I decided that I would get by without a spare. A few years later, I had one made at Home Depot that "cloned" the original. I was under the impression that this could not be used to program additional keys, but a guy I work with insists that it can be done. Can you program new keys with one original and a cloned duplicate?
Thanks,
Fred

 

[swshawaii]

What Is The Difference Between A Cloned Key And A Programmed Key | eBay

Solved - PATS key sucsess! Thanks Forscan | Ford Explorer and Ford Ranger Forums - Serious Explorations

 

[Tech By Trade]

Cant be done, you need 2 originals. Get a transponder key off ebay. Go to a locksmith and have them cut it properly, then go to the stealership and have them program it. its a 5 minute job, but if you are lucky, your shop will charge by the half hour flat rate, If not you have to pay for a full hour. Cost me about 75 bucks in Canada.

 

[bob60014]

I only had one key and my local locksmith made another in 2 minutes. Of course he had the proper equipment.

 

[Fred M]

Thanks for the fast replies!
I will check with the dealership on how much they want for the job. I'll also look into the Forscan option that swshawaii mentioned, sounds like the program would be useful for other stuff if nothing else.

 

[cfchurchill89]

Bought my '08 Limited at auction, only came with one key & fob set. Got a second key cut and programmed at the dealership. After you have two dealer or factory programmed keys, you can program additonal chipped keys yourself, but you need two before you can do more on your own. Many locksmiths have the program needed to program a second for you, but usually only the big locksmith companies, as I have heard the program costs upwards of $5,000.

 

[Explorer_PL]

My local locksmith made me another one, but you need a software for that. Still cheaper then dealership.
Also had just one when bought the car.

 

[bigdaddy66]

Will xtool d7s program new key if I only have 1 original working key?

 

[bigdaddy66]

Cant be done, you need 2 originals. Get a transponder key off ebay. Go to a locksmith and have them cut it properly, then go to the stealership and have them program it. its a 5 minute job, but if you are lucky, your shop will charge by the half hour flat rate, If not you have to pay for a full hour. Cost me about 75 bucks in Canada.

Can you do it with a xtool d7s tool?

 

[J_C]

Can you do it with a xtool d7s tool?

I doubt that it will, because of an amazon review stating it wouldn't do it on a 2013 F150:

Check out this Amazon review of XTOOL D7S Bidirectional Scan Tool, 2025 OBD2 Scanner Diagnostic Tool with FCA AutoAuth, All System Car Scanner, 39+ Resets, ECU Coding, PMI, Upgrade of D7, Crankshaft Relearn, CAN FD/DoIP, 3-Yr Update

Not a key programer Key, 2013, F150 Fails to program every time

www.amazon.com

IMO, your best DIY option is an ELM327 based scan tool dongle, windows laptop or tablet, running the extended license version of Forscan app.

 

[bigdaddy66]

Hello all.
My 2006 Explorer (V8, Limited) which I bought new came with only one key. The salesman told me that the other had been lost while shipping the vehicle. He said that I could come back later to get another one made, but they would have to re-flash the computers and that they couldn't do it that day. I went back to the dealer about two weeks later to have this done and found that the place had changed ownership, and that I was out of luck, unless I wanted to pay whatever obscene price it was to have it done. I decided that I would get by without a spare. A few years later, I had one made at Home Depot that "cloned" the original. I was under the impression that this could not be used to program additional keys, but a guy I work with insists that it can be done. Can you program new keys with one original and a cloned duplicate?
Thanks,
Fred

I doubt that it will, because of an amazon review stating it wouldn't do it on a 2013 F150:

Check out this Amazon review of XTOOL D7S Bidirectional Scan Tool, 2025 OBD2 Scanner Diagnostic Tool with FCA AutoAuth, All System Car Scanner, 39+ Resets, ECU Coding, PMI, Upgrade of D7, Crankshaft Relearn, CAN FD/DoIP, 3-Yr Update

Not a key programer Key, 2013, F150 Fails to program every time

www.amazon.com

IMO, your best DIY option is an ELM327 based scan tool dongle, windows laptop or tablet, running the extended license version of Forscan app.

Thanks for the information but I need to know if that's specific tool will do what I need it to

 

[Trainmaster]

No, a cloned key cannot be used for programming. You need two differently coded keys. Unless you are conversant with Forscan or other diagnostics, your best bet is to pay a locksmith the $100 to program a second key.