Lost truck keys while camping (1999 F150)

[illtim3d]

I went maylong camping near Fairmont, BC and have lost the only ignition key I have for my 1999 Ford F150. My truck is several KM into the bush, and towing it out is going to be sketchy to say the least. I was reading on the internet that Ford only keeps the codes used to program the keys using the VIN for 10 years, which means im screwed. The key is a chipped "PATS" transponder key, which I understand requires the trucks computer to be reprogrammed in order to make a new key. Does anybody work for a Ford dealership or have any experience with this problem?? What should I do?

Thanks beyond

[chkolny541]

edit,

[Tik-Tok]

edit: nevermind, it looks like you do need a stealership computer to program a new key

[sillysod]

My brother in law did this. Fell off the boat in Kelowna and lost his explorer keys.

Had to go to the local ford dealership with the VIN # to get a new key.

[illtim3d]

@chkolny541

I plan to call them today, it was a holiday monday yesterday so I had no choice but to leave my truck there and go back to Calgary

@sillysod

What year was the explorer? Apparrently they only keep the VIN codes for 10 years. Im going to call Ford on my lunch break

[sillysod]

It was about 5 years ago and it was a '98.

[swak]

I'd look for that key like my life depended on it.
..Can you not call a locksmith to make something up? Or does it have to be ford specific?

I called a locksmith with no key before, and he made me up something on the spot.
Didn't have a chip in the key mind you, but its worth a shot

[leftwing]

find a professional car thief to come and jumpstart your car?

[illtim3d]

@swak

I tried calling a locksmith but he cant do anything because its chipped. I just got back from Universal Ford and they basically told me it has to be towed to a Ford Dealer (closest one is atleast 150km away in Cranbrook). This is going to be interesting.

[Cos]

AMA Gold gives you 250km i think. Get someone to tow you out to a legal road and have ama tow it from there.

[ExtraSlow]

Ford should be able to make you a new key from the VIN, but it'll cost you a mint. a third key can be programmed from two good keys, but if you have one, or none, you need the code from the factory.
When I had this done for my 2000 expedition abut two years ago at Crowfoot Ford, it cost me $180. Call around the dealerships. metro wanted $240 for it.

I have heard that some locksmiths can program a new PATS key, but I've never found one.

Even if you get it towed, you'll have to pay for the new keys, so that's not much of a solution. May as well get the keys first.

Good luck.

[GT.....O?]

Ask them if you can take the computer out of your truck and bring it in to them.

If you can get the computer out yourself you would avoid the towing fee at the least. It might take you a little while, but you would avoid the towing fee.

If they have to reprogram the computer for a new key they should have the proper hook-ups and would either pull it out themselves or hook up to the OBD II anyways.

Its worth a shot if you can do it yourself...

[sillysod]

Locksmith cant do anything for you on this.

I strongly recommend you to post this up on the FordTrucks forum. I can guarantee you someone on there will have a work around for you.

[ExtraSlow]

ford DASH trucks DOT com is a good one.

I'm a member over there.

[adidas]

This reminds me...A couple of years ago i go on a trip with a good buddy to kelowna. We leave all our stuff in the trunk of my car as we were staying at a hostel and didnt want anyone to touch our stuff. The first morning, my buddy asks for the keys to go grab some stuff from the car i give him my keys and he comes back and says he forgot the keys in the trunk.

No biggie, i figured we will just a tow company to come unlock the door and i will pull the latch that is on my door for the trunk. Go downstairs and find out that the car is unlocked...fantastic news or so i thought. I had locked the trunk opening button that is found on the door just the previous day, along with both the back seats.

Okay, its Friday, ill call up dad and get him to send me a key Overnight shipping into Saturday.

We get the key in the morning, all happy, we can put on some fresh clothes and enjoy the rest of the trip. Come back to the car, i can unlock the doors, i can start the car but i cant open the glove box, the back seats, the trunk or the side door lock for the trunk. My dad had sent the valet key and not the programmed key in case the package got lost. So there we were 5 days in kelowna, wearing the same shorts, shirt as the previous days. Luckily we had our wallets and toiletry essentials.

I cant complain tho, saw a 10/10 at the strip club. So it wasnt all that bad.

[illtim3d]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, I really appreciate it!



@Cos

Thats looking like my most likely solution so far. AMA said that to get a tow truck in the bush its a $150 "off road" fee plus $150 per hour until you reach a legal road. Im trying to find a buddy with a big 4x4 who would be willing to help for $$.

@ExtraSlow
Its a 1999 so they cant make me a key even with the VIN because Ford dumps all the codes after 10 years (2009). Its pretty stupid to do that if you ask me

@GT.....O?
That sounds like it could work! Ill see what info I can dig up.

@silly

Thanks im going to check it out

[rob the knob]

update to date?

[ExtraSlow]

are you SURE ford dumps the old codes? I suspect someone has given you bad information.

[Mar]

Ya, I'm pretty sure they keep the codes forever. that's like admitting your cars suck so bad that nobody owns one that's 10 years old.

[illtim3d]

Update:
been calling the Ford dealerships in Cranbrook and Golden, and im working on getting it towed to either one. If it is raining this weekend out where my truck is located it will be impossible to tow out of the bush because the sand/dirt literally turns into clay. Im pretty sure that Ford does dump the codes, but i guess ill phone around a few more dealerships and see what kind of bs they spit at me. Life lessons learned