Ford Transponder Keys

Hello, all. Just purchased and programmed a third transponder key for
my 2011 Ford Focus using the procedure in the owner's manual. In
reality it isn't the key that gets programmed (it's read only) but
rather the car's computer/ECM that is instructed to accept the key's
unique code/serial no.

Does anyone know of a procedure (e.g. cycling the ignition switch) that
can be easily performed by the owner to de-validate/de-program a lost or
stolen key from the memory of the car's ECM? My Focus owner's manual
doesn't cover this. Thanks for your time and comment. Sincerely,

--
John Wood (Code 5520) e-mail:
Naval Research Laboratory
4555 Overlook Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20375-5337

"J. B. Wood" > wrote in message
...
> Hello, all. Just purchased and programmed a third transponder key for my
> 2011 Ford Focus using the procedure in the owner's manual. In reality it
> isn't the key that gets programmed (it's read only) but rather the car's
> computer/ECM that is instructed to accept the key's unique code/serial no.
>
> Does anyone know of a procedure (e.g. cycling the ignition switch) that
> can be easily performed by the owner to de-validate/de-program a lost or
> stolen key from the memory of the car's ECM? My Focus owner's manual
> doesn't cover this. Thanks for your time and comment. Sincerely,
>
> --
> John Wood (Code 5520) e-mail:
> Naval Research Laboratory
> 4555 Overlook Avenue, SW
> Washington, DC 20375-5337

I think this site may have the steps for most popular cars. Just scroll to
the Ford section in your case:

http://filear.com/index.php/other/48...s-entry-remote

The video even shows how to make one remote work with 2 exact model
vehicles. How not secure is that? lol.

Econo-cars

On 02/07/2011 12:07 PM, Econo-cars wrote:
> "J. B. > wrote in message
> ...
>> Hello, all. Just purchased and programmed a third transponder key for my
>> 2011 Ford Focus using the procedure in the owner's manual. In reality it
>> isn't the key that gets programmed (it's read only) but rather the car's
>> computer/ECM that is instructed to accept the key's unique code/serial no.
>>
>> Does anyone know of a procedure (e.g. cycling the ignition switch) that
>> can be easily performed by the owner to de-validate/de-program a lost or
>> stolen key from the memory of the car's ECM? My Focus owner's manual
>> doesn't cover this. Thanks for your time and comment. Sincerely,
>>
>> --
>> John Wood (Code 5520) e-mail:
>> Naval Research Laboratory
>> 4555 Overlook Avenue, SW
>> Washington, DC 20375-5337
>
> I think this site may have the steps for most popular cars. Just scroll to
> the Ford section in your case:
>
> http://filear.com/index.php/other/48...s-entry-remote
>
> The video even shows how to make one remote work with 2 exact model
> vehicles. How not secure is that? lol.
>
> Econo-cars
>
>
Hello, and thanks for the reply but that URL just mentions verbatim
what's in my owner's manual for programming the remote entry device
(fob). My question concerned transponder keys not fobs. Sincerely,

--
John Wood (Code 5520) e-mail:
Naval Research Laboratory
4555 Overlook Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20375-5337

John,

My understanding is that the only way to erase keys from the PCM memory is
to have it done my the dealer (or at least someone that has access to the
programming equipment).

Ed

"J.B. Wood" > wrote in message
...
> On 02/07/2011 12:07 PM, Econo-cars wrote:
>> "J. B. > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Hello, all. Just purchased and programmed a third transponder key for
>>> my
>>> 2011 Ford Focus using the procedure in the owner's manual. In reality
>>> it
>>> isn't the key that gets programmed (it's read only) but rather the car's
>>> computer/ECM that is instructed to accept the key's unique code/serial
>>> no.
>>>
>>> Does anyone know of a procedure (e.g. cycling the ignition switch) that
>>> can be easily performed by the owner to de-validate/de-program a lost or
>>> stolen key from the memory of the car's ECM? My Focus owner's manual
>>> doesn't cover this. Thanks for your time and comment. Sincerely,
>>>
>>> --
>>> John Wood (Code 5520) e-mail:
>>> Naval Research Laboratory
>>> 4555 Overlook Avenue, SW
>>> Washington, DC 20375-5337
>>
>> I think this site may have the steps for most popular cars. Just scroll
>> to
>> the Ford section in your case:
>>
>> http://filear.com/index.php/other/48...s-entry-remote
>>
>> The video even shows how to make one remote work with 2 exact model
>> vehicles. How not secure is that? lol.
>>
>> Econo-cars
>>
>>
> Hello, and thanks for the reply but that URL just mentions verbatim what's
> in my owner's manual for programming the remote entry device (fob). My
> question concerned transponder keys not fobs. Sincerely,
>
> --
> John Wood (Code 5520) e-mail:
> Naval Research Laboratory
> 4555 Overlook Avenue, SW
> Washington, DC 20375-5337

"C. E. White" wrote:
>
> John,
>
> My understanding is that the only way to erase keys from the PCM memory is
> to have it done my the dealer (or at least someone that has access to the
> programming equipment).

I believe it requires the Ford VCM/IDS system, or program enough new
keys (8?) to push the others out of the limited memory.

From the '09 F250-500 manual:

NOTE: The anti-theft security access procedure is
used to obtain Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS)
security access. PATS security access must be
granted to erase ignition key codes, program
ignition key codes, enable/disable unlimited key access
mode, set unlimited transponder key ID, reset
parameters in the Instrument Cluster (IC) and
PCM, and enable/disable the spare key
programming switch (PID SPAREKEY). The
anti-theft security access procedure invokes a
10-minute time delay prior to granting security
access, during which the scan tool must remain
connected to the vehicle. Once security access is
granted, a security access command menu is
displayed, which offers various command options.

"J.B. Wood" > wrote in message
...
> On 02/07/2011 12:07 PM, Econo-cars wrote:
>> "J. B. > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Hello, all. Just purchased and programmed a third transponder key for
>>> my
>>> 2011 Ford Focus using the procedure in the owner's manual. In reality
>>> it
>>> isn't the key that gets programmed (it's read only) but rather the car's
>>> computer/ECM that is instructed to accept the key's unique code/serial
>>> no.
>>>
>>> Does anyone know of a procedure (e.g. cycling the ignition switch) that
>>> can be easily performed by the owner to de-validate/de-program a lost or
>>> stolen key from the memory of the car's ECM? My Focus owner's manual
>>> doesn't cover this. Thanks for your time and comment. Sincerely,
>>>
>>> --
>>> John Wood (Code 5520) e-mail:
>>> Naval Research Laboratory
>>> 4555 Overlook Avenue, SW
>>> Washington, DC 20375-5337
>>
>> I think this site may have the steps for most popular cars. Just scroll
>> to
>> the Ford section in your case:
>>
>> http://filear.com/index.php/other/48...s-entry-remote
>>
>> The video even shows how to make one remote work with 2 exact model
>> vehicles. How not secure is that? lol.
>>
>> Econo-cars
>>
>>
> Hello, and thanks for the reply but that URL just mentions verbatim what's
> in my owner's manual for programming the remote entry device (fob). My
> question concerned transponder keys not fobs. Sincerely,
>
> --
> John Wood (Code 5520) e-mail:
> Naval Research Laboratory
> 4555 Overlook Avenue, SW
> Washington, DC 20375-5337

Oh sorry. The only info I found on that was that either a dealership has to
do it, or some locksmiths that have been given all the info, but fewer
locksmiths are getting that trust level now.

I did see a site that offers a bypass for security systems on many makes of
cars. The highest price was $43 usd. If I ever get trouble with my keys
that's what I'll be getting. The units are just plug and play.

Econo-cars

On 02/07/2011 06:11 PM, Pete C. wrote:
>
> "C. E. White" wrote:
>>
>> John,
>>
>> My understanding is that the only way to erase keys from the PCM memory is
>> to have it done my the dealer (or at least someone that has access to the
>> programming equipment).
>
> I believe it requires the Ford VCM/IDS system, or program enough new
> keys (8?) to push the others out of the limited memory.
>

Hello, and my thanks again to all who responded. I discussed the
lost/stolen key situation with service dept personnel at my Ford dealer
and they said that if one were to alternately cycle off-on two valid
transponder keys in the ignition switch to the 8-count limit, the car's
ECM would reset to only those two keys being tagged as valid. (This
procedure is supposed to work with the 2010/2011 Ford Focus and maybe
some other Ford models/years) Ford dealers also have the required
equipment to accomplish this via hookup to the ECM (but that's gonna
cost ya). BTW, my Ford dealer charges ~$49 (including cutting) for a
Focus transponder key. The customer can then do the programming or the
dealer will do it at no additional charge (provided you have your other
two valid keys with you). Sincerely,


--
John Wood (Code 5520) e-mail:
Naval Research Laboratory
4555 Overlook Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20375-5337

"J.B. Wood" wrote:
>
> BTW, my Ford dealer charges ~$49 (including cutting) for a
> Focus transponder key. The customer can then do the programming or the
> dealer will do it at no additional charge (provided you have your other
> two valid keys with you).

That's not the worst I've heard, but my dealer charged just $9/ea for
two additional transponder keys (cut) when I bought my F350 (I
programmed them). I do like my dealer's parts department, they don't
seem to have an excessive markup on parts like most dealers seem to.