I bought a Chrysler Aspen about 2 weeks ago and only got one key and fob in the sale. Yep, you guessed it, yesterday I was changing the transfer case fluid and had my keys lying on the seat. I guess my arm must have hit the lock button and I managed to lock my keys inside the car. After about 2 hours work, using every coat hanger in the house, some wooden wedges, and a piece of bent 3/8 inch rod, I managed to hit the unlock button on the drivers side and retrieve my keys. I have a couple of questions. Can I have just an entry key made at Lowes, Home Depot or some where else that has a key making machine and will it open the door manually without the fob? If so, I will just have about 3 made, one for the wife, one for me and one to keep stored somewhere. Also, if I wanted to get a fob, with all the auto features on it, is there anywhere I can get one without going to the dealer. Thank you my friends
Vehicle Keys - Key Fob - Locked Out
feg7846
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
I bought a Chrysler Aspen about 2 weeks ago and only got one key and fob in the sale. Yep, you guessed it, yesterday I was changing the transfer case fluid and had my keys lying on the seat. I guess my arm must have hit the lock button and I managed to lock my keys inside the car. After about 2 hours work, using every coat hanger in the house, some wooden wedges, and a piece of bent 3/8 inch rod, I managed to hit the unlock button on the drivers side and retrieve my keys. I have a couple of questions. Can I have just an entry key made at Lowes, Home Depot or some where else that has a key making machine and will it open the door manually without the fob? If so, I will just have about 3 made, one for the wife, one for me and one to keep stored somewhere. Also, if I wanted to get a fob, with all the auto features on it, is there anywhere I can get one without going to the dealer. Thank you my friends
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11 Posts
Like you I got my D second owner, and only got one key. I have checked with several lock smithes in my area and they can make a new key fob. Most of the time for a much better price than OEM. It's something that is worth checking into...
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76 Posts
My '05 came with 2 keys, but one fob was missing all its electronics. I made inquiries about getting a replacement from our local Dodge dealership. They couldn't do it locally and would have to order a cut and programmed key based on the VIN through the Canadian Dodge parts system. I was shocked by the price I was quoted, so I did some research. I discovered that I can buy a fob style key on eBay (the key arrived last week), have it cut by a local key cutting service, and order a Chinese key programmer that will do an in vehicle program of the fob (still deciding which model programmer to buy), all for less than the figure I was quoted for the replacement key from the Dodge dealership.
Once I have a second key programmed and have proved that it works, I'll order a few more blank keys and make some spares using the Durango's inbuilt key programming feature.
As the closest auto locksmith is a good 3 hour drive away, I figure that there must be quite a few local people in the same boat ... need a second key, but are outraged by the price the dealership wants to charge. I know there's a company in New York that supplies precut keys from the VIN and rents you a programmer so you can do your own in-car programming of the new key (USD$95 plus shipping for my style of fob key plus $100 deposit on the programmer). This leads me to wonder about offering a programmer rental service.
Once I have a second key programmed and have proved that it works, I'll order a few more blank keys and make some spares using the Durango's inbuilt key programming feature.
As the closest auto locksmith is a good 3 hour drive away, I figure that there must be quite a few local people in the same boat ... need a second key, but are outraged by the price the dealership wants to charge. I know there's a company in New York that supplies precut keys from the VIN and rents you a programmer so you can do your own in-car programming of the new key (USD$95 plus shipping for my style of fob key plus $100 deposit on the programmer). This leads me to wonder about offering a programmer rental service.
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255 Posts
I bought my 05 used and it came with one key with fob and a key cut at a local store.
My Durango doesn't have a security feature on it so my cut key will open my doors and actually operate my vehicle.
My key fob electronics have since died and the dealer quoted me $250 for the key and either $50 or $60 to program it.
I am thinking getting a blank on eBay and taking it to a local place to have it cut and then dealer for the program.
Its really not a huge deal to me except it is so much easier to push a button to unlock it then it is to have to insert the key into the door and unlock the door by hand then have to hit the button inside to unlock the other doors.
My Durango doesn't have a security feature on it so my cut key will open my doors and actually operate my vehicle.
My key fob electronics have since died and the dealer quoted me $250 for the key and either $50 or $60 to program it.
I am thinking getting a blank on eBay and taking it to a local place to have it cut and then dealer for the program.
Its really not a huge deal to me except it is so much easier to push a button to unlock it then it is to have to insert the key into the door and unlock the door by hand then have to hit the button inside to unlock the other doors.
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45 Posts
I had this issue with our old 2006 300. on that car the fob and key are one unit and there is a security chip inside the fob. I went to the Chrysler dealer and they cut me a key without the electronics (just needed the vin) which allowed me to lock and unlock the car but not start it because the key was just a regular key without the chip. but this is fine for getting inside when you lock the keys inside.
you can buy on ebay chipped key blanks with the fob but you have to get it cut and programmed. I had found them for as cheap as $75.
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76 Posts
Unfortunately my electronics and transponder less key is useless for anything other than getting into the vehicle if it's locked, and for turning the ignition to the "ACC" position so I can listen to the radio while I work. It was also a handy tool for the process of removing the ignition lock assembly from the steering column and testing my coding of the replacement lock barrel.
I've had the Durango for less than 2 months, and for most of that time, I've been battling a mystery current drain that's been flattening the battery overnight. Now that I have that sorted out (combination of a mangled 6CD player mechanism that was spending all night trying to load and unload jammed CDs belonging to the previous owner, and a worn out ignition lock that was allowing the key to be removed while it was in the Acc position), I'm starting to figure out the rest of the electronics functionality. I'm still not sure if unlocking the vehicle with the transponder less/remote less key after it's been locked by the remote, will set off the security system. That may be complicated by what appears to be an aftermarket remote lock/unlock/starter that is fitted and apparently operational, but for which I have no remote.
I have to keep explaining to my wife that until I get the programmer and can program a second key, if she loses the one key with the transponder (and she has a tendency to put keys down and forget where she put them), the Durango will be undriveable for at least a week while we wait for a very expensive replacement key from the dealer.
EDIT: Just checked, and if I arm the system with the good key/fob, unlocking the door with the key on the transponderless fob and then opening any door, sets off the alarm. Iif I don't have a key with a transponder or a remote that will unlock doors/disarm the system, then the alarm runs for 3 minutes. Nothing I do with the transponderless fob will shut off the alarm. Good thing I live in a rural area.
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255 Posts
I had a few local key places tell me I would mess the car up had I used the cut key but, the cut key had always worked for me.
One guy said he wouldn't mess with it due to the security feature and that my car was messed up because it allowed the cut key to operate it.
I called the dealer and was told 95% of the Durango's have the security feature but, mine doesn't.
Lucky me lol
I am always losing my keys and locking my keys in the car.
My fob is just to lock and unlock the car but, that does come in handy.
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76 Posts
Just visited the second Dodge dealer in the district, and the spare parts counter came back with the same story as the first dealer. They'd have to order the combined key/fob it based on my VIN, and it would cost CAD$172 + tax. Exactly the same story that I got from the other non-connected dealership and the price was the same as well.
Buying a key programmer and doing the key programming myself is definitely the most cost effective option ... once I can find a local key cutter that will cut the blanks that I supply.
I dropped into the Canadian Tire store down the road from the Dodge dealership with an uncut/unprogrammed key/fob I bought on eBay and asked if they could cut it to match my current key and how much will it cost. I thought the poor girl on the counter was going to have kittens. All she could see was it was a "chip key" and she hadn't learned how to deal with chip keys. As for cost, non-chip auto keys cost $5 to supply and cut, but chip keys cost $75, and as mine was a "chip key" they'd have to charge $75 to cut it. She couldn't understand that I didn't need any fancy programming (which another counter staff member has told me they can't do for me as I have just the one key), and as I was supplying the key blank, it should be no more than the $5 they charge to supply and cut a non-chip auto key.
Buying a key programmer and doing the key programming myself is definitely the most cost effective option ... once I can find a local key cutter that will cut the blanks that I supply.
I dropped into the Canadian Tire store down the road from the Dodge dealership with an uncut/unprogrammed key/fob I bought on eBay and asked if they could cut it to match my current key and how much will it cost. I thought the poor girl on the counter was going to have kittens. All she could see was it was a "chip key" and she hadn't learned how to deal with chip keys. As for cost, non-chip auto keys cost $5 to supply and cut, but chip keys cost $75, and as mine was a "chip key" they'd have to charge $75 to cut it. She couldn't understand that I didn't need any fancy programming (which another counter staff member has told me they can't do for me as I have just the one key), and as I was supplying the key blank, it should be no more than the $5 they charge to supply and cut a non-chip auto key.
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76 Posts
If I order a programmer, it'll take close to a month before it's delivered. A lot can happen in a month when you have just one working key.
As a fall back, I just paid for an online service to provide the Ignition key code plus the SKIM/PIN code for my vehicle from my VIN. Before I shell out for a programmer, I'll see if I can find an online Auto Locksmith that will do the cutting/programming from that data and mail a key to me.
FOLLOW UP: After emailing a few auto locksmiths, they have informed me that they can't program a key to work if they don't have access to the Durango. This leads me to ask how the Dodge dealership can supply a workable key from my VIN. I'm guessing that the Dodge supplied key is just a key precut from the key's M code data (that's linked in the Dodge database to the VIN), that will still need the transponder/remote programmed by the dealership.
As a fall back, I just paid for an online service to provide the Ignition key code plus the SKIM/PIN code for my vehicle from my VIN. Before I shell out for a programmer, I'll see if I can find an online Auto Locksmith that will do the cutting/programming from that data and mail a key to me.
FOLLOW UP: After emailing a few auto locksmiths, they have informed me that they can't program a key to work if they don't have access to the Durango. This leads me to ask how the Dodge dealership can supply a workable key from my VIN. I'm guessing that the Dodge supplied key is just a key precut from the key's M code data (that's linked in the Dodge database to the VIN), that will still need the transponder/remote programmed by the dealership.
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9,271 Posts
A few years back, I bought a gray headed chip key off of Ebay, and attempted to self program it to my 04 D. We as owners are supposed to be able to program our own extra keys as long as we have 2 working keys. My local hardware store was able to cut the key, but it would not program.
Doing some internet checking, I came across this bit of info:
An issue exists with Durango vehicles built before May 17, 2004 and is covered under warranty. The WCM module is defective and does not permit ANY additional RFID codes to be added to the vehicle. This includes new ignition keys (Sentry Keys). Instead of recalling all Durangos for this module swap, Chrysler is only changing the WCM when a Durango owner requests a new transponder key. The WCM does not affect any other functions so is not a mandatory swap unless a new RFID is added. The PKU-CH2 supplies the vehicles with RFID and thus must be programmed if the Mfg date is after May 17th, otherwise the original WCM must be changed under warranty in order to program the PKU-CH2 to the Durango. The WCM replacement part number is XXXXX"
I went though 3 different chip keys before coming across this. If this information is accurate, I feel Dodge should "make it right" at any point when a Durango owner requests the service. Because they have not, an out of warranty vehicle owner will incur significant expense above and beyond the cost of new keys should they desire to add/replace them.
YYMV Don
Doing some internet checking, I came across this bit of info:
An issue exists with Durango vehicles built before May 17, 2004 and is covered under warranty. The WCM module is defective and does not permit ANY additional RFID codes to be added to the vehicle. This includes new ignition keys (Sentry Keys). Instead of recalling all Durangos for this module swap, Chrysler is only changing the WCM when a Durango owner requests a new transponder key. The WCM does not affect any other functions so is not a mandatory swap unless a new RFID is added. The PKU-CH2 supplies the vehicles with RFID and thus must be programmed if the Mfg date is after May 17th, otherwise the original WCM must be changed under warranty in order to program the PKU-CH2 to the Durango. The WCM replacement part number is XXXXX"
I went though 3 different chip keys before coming across this. If this information is accurate, I feel Dodge should "make it right" at any point when a Durango owner requests the service. Because they have not, an out of warranty vehicle owner will incur significant expense above and beyond the cost of new keys should they desire to add/replace them.
YYMV Don
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