Can I get more Keys? Do I have PATS?

[xplicit]

Hey

I have a 98 Contour, but I only have one key. I need to get another so that I don't look myself out, but I have no idea where to get one. Normally I would just get one cut at Home Depot, but someone told me they have PATS. What is this? Where can I get a key, and is it going to be a million dollars?

Thanks!

 

[96RedSE5Sp]

There is a ton of information on this if you do a search on the older forums.

Basically PATS is "Passive Anti Theft System" On '98 and newer Contours, the keys have a computer chip embedded in them. You cannot start your car without this and nobody will cut a key for you if the blank doesn't have this chip.

You can get a key from the dealer but its a lot cheaper if you get a blank from eBay. If you have an older '98, you can reprogram your new key if you have only one key already. If you have a newer '98, you will need two programmed keys to program anymore.

Detailed instructions on programing your new key can be found on the old forums. A dealer can also program your keys but they charge big bucks.

 

[Ray]

Correction:

only V6 models had PATS.
NO zetec (I4) models had PATS installed.

YOUR car (original poster) has PATS and can be seen in the center dash as a flashing LED when the car is not running.

Also, the "older forums" refers to the forums before our softare upgrade we recently went through.

http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php is the link.

Go there, and use the SEARCH feature under general, etc for programming PATS keys. Note that all the threads on there are locked, because the forums were upgraded and moved to this location instead.

 

[frenchblueC2]

If you want to just have a key to unlock the doors but not start the car, you can get that cut pretty much anywhere from your one key.

 

[dn9979]

Im a locksmith
I always bypass my pats system,My 98 svt has reached its limits with additional keys so i had no choice,stick with 1 key with 2 drivers or bypass it.I will be adding my new alarm i just picked up to take care of the security part.

 

[xplicit]

Thanks all! I found the old forums, did a search and think I have it figured out. Now I just have to find a key on ebay - I'm an early 98 (08-1997) model, so I should be able to do the programming with just one key.

I appreciate the help!

 

[Big Daddy Kane]

Im a locksmith
I always bypass my pats system,My 98 svt has reached its limits with additional keys so i had no choice,stick with 1 key with 2 drivers or bypass it.I will be adding my new alarm i just picked up to take care of the security part.

So there is a limit on the number of keys the computer will accept before locking out more?

I second cutting an old style ignition key (you know the flat kind with the small square top, when they had 2 keys, like 70s thru early 90s) and keeping it in your wallet. If the locksmith tells you it can't be done (Walmart comes to mind), tell them their FOS and take it to another place that strictly does locksmith stuff for a living...

You want the ones on the right... They will work for all year Contour/Mystique for the doors/ignition, and 98+ for trunk/glove box (pre98 had a seperate key for that).

 

[BrApple]

Im a locksmith
I always bypass my pats system,My 98 svt has reached its limits with additional keys so i had no choice,stick with 1 key with 2 drivers or bypass it.I will be adding my new alarm i just picked up to take care of the security part.

how do you have 16 different keys programmed for your car :shrug:

 

[Cobra_Jack]

you can get PATS keys on ebay for around $20 bucks with programming instructions.. you'll just need to have them cut.

 

[dn9979]

how do you have 16 different keys programmed for your car :shrug:

because you dont erase old keys when you add them

when a car goes from lot to lot or auctions its very easy to add up to 16.

My 98 just flat out refused the keys when i tried.I plugged in my tcode and it still wouldnt accept it.