aftermarker keypad entry?

OK...the lovely wife just locked her keys in the van for the 5th time this year.

Does anyone make an aftermarket keyless entry pad similar to what Ford used on the Taurus/Sables?

Vehicle in question is an 05 Chrysler T&C

The old Ford systems were pretty self-contained, if you had a complete junker and a schematic it could be retrofitted fairly easy.

If you can install a car alarm, you can do this. My LSC had it, best feature of any car. No idea why no one else mainstream makes something similar.

It usually only takes walking home once. Just sayin'

Can the van door be locked with the key from the outside? If so, un-plug the power lock switch on that side and/or cut off the locking knob/lever. Then she can only lock it from outside, with the key, and it won't be locked inside anymore.

Less drastic, make a copy to put in her wallet or purse or diaper bag or whatever so she has a few.

Aircooled....I'd do that for my car when copies are only $5.... hers has that special key with the remote buttons & microchip.....$120+ is what I recall being quoted. don't want to chance loosing the spare

You should be able to get a copy of the key that will just open the door, not necessarily start the car. Our LS400 has a couple of keys like that for valet use. They will open the door and might even start the car for a brief time before the computer turns it off. She can keep that in her wallet/purse. Traditionally, men carry their spare keys in thier wallet, next to the condom, so the key can punch a hole in it. Or the magnet thing, but I understand thieves look for those. And even at $120, that's still probably cheap insurance. A locksmith will charge that to come pop the lock.

Which is cheaper, an aftermaket keypad based unlocking system that may or may not work or a key safely planted that will work when needed?

Did Chrysler offer an external keypad on any of their vehicles?

You can add an external keypad to any Ford that has the electronic door locks with a key fob. They make a keypad that works just like the keyfob. You can program it and attach it to the car anywhere you desire. Read about it here Ford keypad

Maybe Chrysler has a similar type set up.

Chrysler never offered anything like that. I worked at a Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge dealership for 7 years...

They did issue "valet" keys with new cars. Exactly what Dr. Hess stated... they will unlock the doors, NOT the lockable glove box(if equipped), and start the engine for about 2 seconds. DON'T try to start the engine though. After you do it 3 or 5 times (can't remember exactly) the computer locks up as it thinks it is being stolen, and you have to use a DRB to fix it. Had a couple towed in because of this. :)

Basically, buy a valet key, magnet it to your car, and nobody is going to be able to steal your car. It won't run.

Datsun1500 wrote: Forget the magnet, people look for those.

Yeah but it IS a minivan, does anybody really try to steal those? Just sayin'.......

I say just take the lock plunger off the drivers door so she HAS to use the key fob to lock it.

I'm just tired of driving across town to rescue her. maybe the license plate hiding spot is an idea. Wonder if I can get a key without the fob built in.

damn thing is so bulky

Take car away. Get bike.

bike with 3 small kids?

I get the bike....she wanted the sto-n-go

If that's what the key looks like, then just bring it to a locksmith and tell him to make a copy of the thing without the fob part.

Dr. Hess wrote: If that's what the key looks like, then just bring it to a locksmith and tell him to make a copy of the thing without the fob part.

Agree, When I worked in the hardware store we used to make them all the time. A plain key will work on any car to unlock the door. It probably won't start the car but it will get the door open.

Dr. Hess wrote: If that's what the key looks like, then just bring it to a locksmith and tell him to make a copy of the thing without the fob part.

Exactly. They can cut a standard chrysler key blank with your "chipped" key and it will work. And it will be as flat as a normal key. Any dealership can do this for you too- if I remember right the one I worked at charged less than $10. Also, you don't need to give them your key to copy- just the vin. There is a code to reverse lookup and they will know your key code.

Grtechguy wrote: I'm just tired of driving across town to rescue her.

Spend $35 on a AAA membership and let someone else come to the rescue?

This has the combined effect of saving you time and causing her enough annoyance standing out waiting for a tow truck to show up that she will probably come up with her own backup plan.

Grtechguy wrote:

I had a big old plastic fob thingie on my BMW bike key, nip it off with a knife. What's left is metal not much bigger than what is seen in your photo with a "Y" on top for the plastic to bond to. It fits nicely in my wallet taped to a business card.

Is there some place to hide a key? My neighbor stashed one in the Thule ski rack box atop his Honda minivan.

Dan

Stick this to the outside, or at least threaten to...

jeffmx5 wrote: Stick this to the outside, or at least threaten to...

If you have a hitch on the van there's a similar item that locks into the receiver on the hitch. I think I saw it in a Griot's catalog. - here it is

If no hitch then I'd vote AAA membership. I'd worry about someone finding a "hidden" key and gaining access to the van without breaking a window - too many bad endings to that scenario to even think of.

Or buy an E65/66 BMW 7-series with comfort access - it's so smart it won't lock the doors from the outside if the key is anywhere in the interior, nor will it close the trunk with a key anywhere in the trunk. But AAA is cheaper...

The key itself is pretty standard, you should be able to have a generic copy made w/o the transponder. It just won't start the car.

I drove vw's for so long that I cannot even fathom locking a key in a car. Even with my 76 rabbit, if you open the door and push down the lock mechanism and shut the door it pops right back up. They can only be locked with the door closed. Heck the wifes 2006 rabbit was the same way.

That has created a habit that is hard to break for me and thankfully my wife. No matter what car we are driving it never crosses our mind to lock the car before the doors are closed.

So at least VW's have one thing going for them

ditchdigger wrote: I drove vw's for so long that I cannot even fathom locking a key in a car. Even with my 76 rabbit, if you open the door and push down the lock mechanism and shut the door it pops right back up. They can only be locked with the door closed. Heck the wifes 2006 rabbit was the same way. That has created a habit that is hard to break for me and thankfully my wife. No matter what car we are driving it never crosses our mind to lock the car before the doors are closed. So at least VW's have one thing going for them

Hondas were the same way. At least my Moms is.