I posted this in the general tech section and only got one respnse. I thought I'd try here where there seems to be more traffic and a lot of hands on experience.


I just bought another car, used Jeep, as a DD and dog hauler etc.

I only got one key with the car and it is the remote lock, alarm, ignition, all knowing, all doing chipped key. I just checked with a locksmith and they want $140 for a key that will open the doors and start the car, $260 for a remote like I have. Seems like a lot of $$$ for a spare hide a key and one to hang in a cupboard.

My question is, do any of you guys out there know of a way around this mess. I don't care about alarms or remote locking, I'm old but I have enough energy to turn a key in the door. Can the chipped key requirement be by-passed or defeated? I would think that there are plenty of people around that are having this same issue with other cars! Any other suggestions!

I was told that you can buy more keys on e-bay and most likely I will order a couple and have them programmed. It would still be nice to be able to defeat the system.

Thanks, Terry

 

Don't laugh, one solution is to tape a functional chipped key to the steering column where the key is inserted. Then, any piece of metal having the proper key cuts will work.

A variation is to remove the transponder component (looks like a glass pill) from a functional key and tape it to the same location, or inside the steering column, near the key antenna loop.

You should be able to get cheap chip keys (transponder keys) from eBay. A good locksmith should be able to cut them, and program the car for them.