So I got my Ranger running, and come out from work this morning, and my keyless entry will not work. Not a battery issue, I replaced the batteries 2 weeks ago when I got it running. I bought the truck, and was given 2 keys, both to the ignition. Neither key will unlock the driver or passenger door.
I took it in to a locksmith, conveniently next to a auto repair shop. Locksmith said the locks had likely been replaced, because on a Ford key, half the key unlocks the doors, other half engages the ignition. We agreed the auto shop would pull the locks, and the locksmith would rekey to my extant keys.

Then the auto shop said it was a no go. They explained to me that this Ranger was never intended to have door keys, all the wiring diagrams indicate that the only thing the key does in the door is turn off the car alarm system. The only way in is with a keyless entry aka remote fob. Apparently it's rather rare, as it did not take Ford long to figure out this was a Really. Bad. Idea. Something I could have told them at the time for the fair sum of, oh, say, zero dollars.

Anyone else heard of this? I've heard of cars having 2 keys, one for the door, and a separate one for the ignition, but this is the first time I have ever heard of being locked out of your car if the battery dies. Or am I being sold a line?

 

Welcome to the forum

You are being sold a lie about the door locks

It is true that a door lock cylinder has one or two less pins than ignition lock, so someone can not make an ignition key from a door lock cylinder, kind of a safety thing
But no car maker would sell a vehicle that could only be opened/unlocked if the battery was good, lol, well at least pre-2020, not sure on all EVs

So the door key will unlock or lock either door, mechanically
Yes, a Ford Factory alarm system was available in 1997 Ranger and unlocking driver's door with the key would disable it, but it would also unlock the door mechanically no electricity involved

People often change ignition cylinders without change door cylinders, so need two keys after that
You can buy a Lock set that has a new ignition cylinder with 2 door cylinders and 2 new keys that fit all 3

Google: 1997 ford ranger lock set

To re-program Fobs on a 1997 Ranger
1. Turn ignition from Off to Run 5 times ending in Run, must be performed within 10 seconds. Locks will cycle signalling entering into programming mode.
Keep foot off brake pedal!!!
This ERASES ALL previous Fobs in memory, so if you have lost a Fob or someone has an old Fob(an EX, lol) it will no longer work

2. Press any button on the FOB being programmed, locks cycle confirming programming. Repeat this step for ALL the Fobs you have

3. Turn key off

Test each Fob from inside vehicle first, lol

If you can't enter Programming Mode, i.e. locks don't cycle after the 5 key turns
In 1998 Ford changed it to "cycle key on and off 8 times in 10 seconds", so give that a try, you could have a later model 1997

If that doesn't work either then you have a problem with the "RAP" module, this is the Keyless entry module located behind drivers seat mounted to metal part on rear of cab behind the plastic trim cover
RAP module was also the Alarm Module if your 1997 has that option, there were 2 different RAP modules, with and without alarm
There would be a THEFT light on the dash that comes on if your 1997 had the Alarm from Factory

 

This is an amazing amount of information, thank you! I have a supercab, is that going to change the location of the RAP module?

 

No, its in the same place

But they rarely fail, not never, just rarely, its usually a power or ground wiring issue

Make sure doors lock and unlock using door buttons
If not check fuse 5 or 10 in engine bay fuse box