I took my truck in to a local shop, that is very reputable, to get my leveling kit installed and some window tint. I left my truck with their overnight drop-off and left my spare key for them. That was last night. This morning I got a call saying my key wasn't working, and they tried everything, including but not limited to replacing the battery.

So I took them my main key, and they showed me how my spare key wasn't working. They said it seems that it wasn't programmed.

Now, I had a less-than-ideal situation with my dealer and frankly want to avoid going back there. I read the relevant section of the owner's manual, and it explicitly says two keys have to be programmed in order to program a third myself. So it's looking like I have to take this key fob back to the dealer to get it programmed.

I have a couple of questions:
1. Could I go to a different dealer? Would that be uncool, since I didn't buy from them?
2. Piggybacking a bit on the previous question, how long does key programming take at the dealer? Would they even try to charge me for my time if I took it to a different one?

I don't love that it didn't come programmed already, but it is what it is. But if I can avoid going back to the dealer who sold me the truck, I would like to. Also, if anyone knows some sort of workaround for programming a key fob with only one currently programmed one, let me know.

 

Are you certain the battery isn't just dead? I had to replace one 8 months in. You might also try placing it directly in the key fob holder directly under your console cup holder and see if the truck picks it up then. Should work from there even if battery dead just to eliminate that as the issue.

 

Good advice for sure! But I did think of those as well. My truck was bought brand new just over one month ago. But the shop doing my leveling/tinting tried replacing the battery, and tried putting it in the key fob holder under the cup holder. The thing is definitely just not programmed.

Just for context, this is the same dealer that "missed" the fact that my headlights didn't work upon arrival in their "inspection".

 

It will take the dealer about 15-30 mins to reprogram a new key. You should be covered under warranty since it is a problem with one of your original keys.

Any dealer will do it and gladly bill Ford for the warranty work. It’s easy work, doesn’t tie up garage or yard space for any length of time. They can do it while you get your oil changed, for example.

While your at it, purchase 1-2 OEM refurb keys from somewhere (lots of them out there) and have them program them as well.

 

You might check to see what Batteries Plus will charge to use their security module programmer to reprogram both of your keys. Dealers will usually charge you 1 hour labor to do the job--$100+. The job can actually be done in maybe 5 minutes.

Sometimes it's worth a little to stay out of dealership service departments. But if it's a warranty item, go for it there.

I've got a Jaguar without any key, and I've got to order a key decoder machine from England to just find the key #. I'll order a capacitor Tibbe key online from an online locksmith. Then I'll have to pay a local locksmith's service charge to reprogram my security module.

My daughter's infamous for losing car keys. I was thrilled last night when she gave my truck key back to me. It can easily cost $200-300 to buy and program a second key in modern vehicles.

 

You had not driven the truck with the spare key before dropping it off to the tinter?

This is a pure key fob without mechanical key (like a Tesla, Ford doesn't think like that)? There should be an emergency mechanical key hidden in the fob to open the driver's door. My guess is the fool dealer gave you the key to another truck. Find the mechanical key, if it doesn't work then that would be proof of my theory.

 

Dealer under warranty would be the first option but if problems with that then any good locksmith shop should be able to do it. Once 2 good fobs are programmed then get a third as a spare and program it yourself. The procedure's in the OM IIRC.

 

So the physical key is the same. It works on the door and center console. To my knowledge, in this truck, there is no mechanical key start feature. There is a place to put a dead fob under the cup holder--if it's a programmed one.

 

Never heard of Batteries Plus, but I'll take a look and see if I can find one. If it's $50 or less, that's worth my time and sanity of not going to the dealer!

P.S. Helen, GA is not too far from me! North Georgia boy here.