New keys

[cpgoodman]

Ok so my keys are M.I.A.. My car is in my drive way but the keys are nowhere to be found. So what do i do? Call the dealer, have it towed there and get molested? Or is there another way? I know back in the day you could take a VIN# to the dealer and they could cut you a key. I doubt that is still the case with all the anti-theft computers in cars these days. I never got another set from the dealer when i bought the car and knew it was going to come down to this one day. Now here it is and im f**ked. So any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[brendanLS]

Be on the look out for this guy

So this is the part I didn't want to mention. When my car was stolen, I was sleeping. The kid who stole the car was actually an "associate" of my little sisters and knew the car was mine. The kid actually came in to my house and stole the car keys from off my computer table. He simply walked out, started the car up and drove off at 11:00AM. Talk about some balls.

I must say the LS is not a total loss though. Someone is going to buy it back. I could've for $3000 but due to the high mileage and other reasons I just didn't want to deal with it anymore. Someone is gonna revive her...she still has my full custom exhaust on there so I'll know it if/when I see it.

On a side note, I must say this. I was an LS owner and a member here for 2 years and I had a blast. The car really took a lot of abuse and no matter what happens, it will always be one of my favorite cars. Also, this forum was very helpful compared to a lot of other sources on the web so...keep up the good work guys.

Quik, I wish you the best of luck...

:bestwishe

 

[MDavis0424]

I think the dealer can cut you a key based in the VIN number, but you won't be able to start the car until the computer is programmed to accept the new key. If you have two good keys you can do it yourself, otherwise it probably has to go back to the dealer.

 

[Bodyshield]

yeh i know they can cut it by VIN but dont know the exact technicality of inserting and starting the car

 

[02V8Sport]

you need the 2 original keys to program a third key w/o using the dealer. I always have 3 keys, when the third gets lost I immeditely replace it and reprogram it on my own.

If you lose all keys, you have to get the dealer involved.

Rental car companies made dealers create PATS systems. That way when you rent a car you cant copy the key and go back later to steal the car. Unless they give you both keys for the car

 

[Jim Henderson]

All the things I hve read is that if you have no spare, you are really stuck. The manual even says it will be expensive and you will need to be towed in.

The dealer will need to make and program several keys. You should ALWAYS has at elast TWO SPARES. With two spares you can program your own keys I think I read, with only one the dealer has to do it and with no keys they have to start from scratch.

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson

 

[pektel]

so... this has got me thinking i should run to the hardware store right now. How do i program the new keys? I still have both of my originals.

Sorry to hijack the thread, but i figured this could be easily answered in one post.

Cheers-

Pete

 

[cpgoodman]

So its looking like the dealer is the cheapest believe it or not. Locksmith said 250 for 1 key. The dealer is 45 a key plus 50 to program plus the cost of a tow. Im trying to open a wholesale account with them now and hopefully the price will come down a little. So the plan is to get 2 keys and get the fobs online. Are those something i can program myself? Hopefully you guys dont have to go threw this but i appreciate all the help.

 

[chocolat1701]

this happened to me one time ti cost me 150 to get 2 keys, 1 remote and the programing done plus 50 for the tow, so thats $200

 

[mharrison]

So the plan is to get 2 keys and get the fobs online. Are those something i can program myself? Hopefully you guys dont have to go threw this but i appreciate all the help.

From what I've read it looks like you can program them yourself for any year EXCEPT 2001. (Guess what year I have! )

 

[cpgoodman]

SWEET!!!!! Guess what year i have? This keeps getting better and better. I guess thats what i get for not following threw in getting another before this disaster. Extra keys boys, dont be retarded like me.

 

[mharrison]

The problem is, when you get the fobs, you'll have to go in and get it programmed again. All the dealers do is wipe out all the fobs and keys then re-add them according to my local $tealership. So, you'll be getting the same thing done again after you get the fobs.

 

[gcwimmer]

The problem is, when you get the fobs, you'll have to go in and get it programmed again. All the dealers do is wipe out all the fobs and keys then re-add them according to my local $tealership. So, you'll be getting the same thing done again after you get the fobs.

03+ LS you program fobs yourself, up to 5 fobs through a series of key on/offs. The procedure is in the owner’s manual along with programming keys.

As previous stated you can buy keys and FOBS on EBay not at the hardware store.

 

[SoonerLS]

so... this has got me thinking i should run to the hardware store right now. How do i program the new keys? I still have both of my originals.

RTFM. If you don't have TFM to R, you can get it here: http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/tech/

If your year isn't listed, find the closest one to your year, and it'll have the correct info.

 

[SoonerLS]

From what I've read it looks like you can program them yourself for any year EXCEPT 2001. (Guess what year I have! )

As mentioned above, you can only program 2nd Gen ('03-'06) fobs without going to the dealer (or finding someone with an NGS tester, or so I've heard). 1st Gen ('00-'02) LSes are all in the same "taking the car to the dealer" boat.

You can program the keys yourself, but only if you have two programmed keys--this applies to all years of the LS. Do NOT lose your only set(s) of keys, or you will be towing your LS to the dealer.