I have a 2002 Ranger with the PATS system in it. I recently lost one key so I only had one original coded key. I went to my local locksmith to get a second made and they have the machine to do it and the copy work perfectly fine and is coded to the truck. So now I have 2 good keys. However I cannot get a third key to match. I tried the instructions several times but all that happens is the the theft light blinks and the key won't start the truck. My question is why won't it copy, is it because the second key is not an original ford key?

 

i dont know what instructions you are using to program the 3rd key but if you arnt doing this do it, it should work fine.


Take all 3 keys lay them out like on the dash or something.

use the original key first, put in the ignition turn it to run, DO NOT START. now repeat this with the 2 others ending with the unprogrammed key.

Now do the exact same thing same order of the key's but now turn it to START actually start the truck with all 3 ending in the need to be programmed key and it should start the truck

 

On the instructions I have it never says to start the truck with all 3. It basically says: use the original key first, put in the ignition turn it to run, DO NOT START. now repeat this with the 2 others ending with the unprogrammed key. Thats where it ends. It says after that, that the new key will start the truck. I bought the Ford key off ebay and thats the instructions that it came with to program the key. I'll try the way your saying after work today.
Dan

 

I found these instructions here, they seem to emphasize on leaving the key in ON position for at least 3 seconds and no longer than 10 seconds.

1. Insert the first Ford programmed key into the ignition lock cylinder and turn the key from the OFF position to the ON position (maintain the key in the ON position for a minimum of 3 seconds and less than 10 seconds).
2. Turn the key to the OFF position and remove the first key from the ignition lock cylinder.
3. Within 5 seconds of turning the key to the OFF position, insert the second programmed key into the ignition lock cylinder and turn the key from the OFF position to the ON position (maintain the key in the ON position for a minimum of 3 seconds and less than 10 seconds).
4. Turn the key to the OFF position and remove the key from the ignition lock cylinder.
5. Within 10 seconds of turning the key to the OFF position, insert the unprogrammed key (the new key) into the ignition lock cylinder and turn the key from the OFF position to the ON position (maintain the key in the ON position for a minimum of 3 seconds and less than 10 seconds).
6. If it is desired to program additional key(s) (only up to 8 keys total can be programmed into the IC), repeat Steps 1-5 for each additional key that needs to be programmed.
7. Start the vehicle with the new key(s).

 

I followed these directions exactly but it didn't work.

 

It also depends on how many keys are programmed to the truck. I believe that you can only have 5 or 6 keys programmed to the truck. After that it will not program any new keys. If your locksmith has the machine to program the keys to the truck they should be able to clear all the keys and start fresh. When I bought my truck it only had one key. I bought a new key and took it to the local locksmith and he told me there were 5 keys programmed to the truck but cleared them all and added the 2 I had.

 

What I did was take my one coded key to the locksmith and with that he was able to make a 2nd copy for me with his key. He told me he couldn't code my OEM ford key that I bought. He used a computer or something to make the copy and he never saw my truck. I'm willing to bet that the reason that I cannot make a copy with my two good ones is because my 2nd good key is not a "ford" key even though its programed to the truck.

 

If he made a copy and programmed the key, and it starts the truck, then its coded to your truck. If you cant add the third key, then there are 5 keys programmed to your truck already. You will either have to take it to a dealer to have them clear ALL the keys, and then re-add your 3, or try looking for a mobile locksmith that does vehicles. They usually have the tool that plugs into your OBD-II port and can access the PATS system to clear keys.

We have a guy that does this for us because we install R/S and alarms and run into this all the time.

 

nah chuck, i think you mis read this \/ \/

so you have one, from ford, that could potentially be the origional key from the factory? you took this into a locksmith, (without your truck) and he made a copy, and he programmed the actual key (this can be told because he did not use the new key in the truck) so now you have 2, the one that ford programmed, and the one the locksmith programmed in his shop, without your vehicle present?

what the situation is, you have 2 identical keys, clones, if you will... so as far as your truck is reading, when you put your factory key in, turn it on, turn it off, and put the locksmith key in, the truck is reading the exact same RFID tag, and thinks it's the same key, being put in a second time, which means it is not entering into programming mode...

you need a second key programmed into your truck, by someone who will program the truck, not the key... ford can do this, but i have heard it is VERY expensive...

 

Thanks man thats what I was figuring. My truck thinks its just one key.

 

that's how i interpret the problem, but i am in no way a pats expert, it just works on the same basic system as some commercial garage door openers, with the RFID, and you can program a vehicle to learn your remote's signal...