So my new to me focus only came with one chipped key, and from what I have found online I can only program new keys if I have 2 to start with, which I don't. Any problem with just getting some non-chipped copies made to use and sticking the chipped one inside the steering column?
I have done it on two Focii, works great. I took the RF ring off the switch and ty-wraped the key to it, then ty-wraped it up in the steering column.
works fine
that's brilliant!
There's RF receiver boxes made for exactly that. The wires are connected to the stock harness, a programmed key is stuck in the box then that is tie strapped somewhere under the dash. You then make as many cheapie keys as you want.
Damn, why didn't I think of that! We live in mortal terror of losing the one key we've got for the brick. This should work just fine.
Butbutbutbut...won't the hooligans steal your stuff? Next thing, I'll be hearing about people who want to disable the automatic locking on their car doors!
Whoa . . . terrific idea !
Is there a link or web page or You Tube video showing how this is done? What's a RF ring and where is it usually located? I bought a second chipped key for my Mustang and lost it right afterwards, now I'm back down to one again and worry all the time about losing it.
Thanks,
TC
2.0dohc wrote: So my new to me focus only came with one chipped key, and from what I have found online I can only program new keys if I have 2 to start with, which I don't. Any problem with just getting some non-chipped copies made to use and sticking the chipped one inside the steering column?
Yes - your car is now much easier to steal.
This is a common hack to make remote starts work on Fords.
Just guessing, but if your car gets stolen and the insurance company finds out you disabled a factory anti-theft measure, you may be out of luck.
Just a thought before you go and skimp on a few $$ for a key.
In this pic the RF ring is the black ring around the lock cylinder.
IIRC it has one screw that holds it.
Rusnak_322 wrote: Just guessing, but if your car gets stolen and the insurance company finds out you disabled a factory anti-theft measure, you may be out of luck. Just a thought before you go and skimp on a few $$ for a key.
Which doesn't matter for cheapskates like me that have liability only on their cars.
2.0dohc wrote: So my new to me focus only came with one chipped key, and from what I have found online I can only program new keys if I have 2 to start with, which I don't. Any problem with just getting some non-chipped copies made to use and sticking the chipped one inside the steering column?
Only problem as mentioned is it defeats the anti-theft function of the chipped key. When I worked in the hardware store I recommended this method to many people. They would buy a used Focus and only get one key. If they had two keys it was easy for us to cut and program new ones, but with only one key it was either hide it in the car or go to the dealer and shell out ~$100.
I know this isn't very GRM, but are you really going to spend hours tearing your dash apart and disable one of the best anti-theft measures your car has just to save a one-time $100 expense? That seems sort of odd.
Heck, if someone asked me to do this to their Focus, I'd charge $100!
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