Many remote key fobs can be programmed with a manual procedure that does not require any specialist equipment.  This article will explain how to program a remote fob for a Ford vehicle.

A Ford remote key consists of three main parts:

1) Mechanical blade to operate the lock barrels

2) A transponder chip that is programmed to the vehicle to disable the immobiliser

3) A remote fob that operates the cars central locking system from the push of a button

Parts 1 and 2 require specialist locksmith tools to cut and program the key.  Part 3 however, can be replaced and programmed by you!

Here’s how….

• Put a programmed key into the ignition
• Turn the key to position 2
• Now turn the key from position 2 to 1 four times, ending on position 1
• An audible beep should sound confirming the car is now ready to be programmed
• Press either of the two buttons on the remote and listen for another beep to confirm programming
• Now turn the key back to position 0 and remove from the ignition
• Wait 30 seconds and then test the remote

Job done!!!

If you only have a manual key for your car and would like a remote fob then give us a call.  The Auto Locksmith is able to provide stand alone remotes that do the need to be built into a key.  This allows you to add a remote fob for considerably less than the cost of purchasing a full remote key from a Ford dealer.  For more info on Ford keys take a look at our Ford car keys section of the website.

More “how to” fob programming guides will be added soon.

A new number plate is issued every six month.  The current known format that has been in place since Septebmer 2001 and uses a zero or a five to indicate which half of the year the plate was issued. This is known as ‘age identifiers’.   For example 2002 would be shown as 02 and the second half of the year always issued in September would be 52.  The plate is prefixed with two letters before the year which indicate the city of issue.  This is know as ‘local memory tags’  For example a new car sold at the start of the year in 2002 in Enfield would have a number plate of EN02.  Three random letters are then assigned after this to complete the plate number.

In March 2010 the identifier changed to 10.  In September 2010 this will change to 60.  This prefixed 6 being used to shown the second half of 2010.  So in March 2011 we would have 11 and in September this would be 61.

If your key fob has stopped remotely opening your car doors or has become problematic, then it may mean the battery is flat and needs replacing.  The battery in the key fob only supplies power to the remote opening functionality and not the transponder chip that deactivates the immobiliser.  The transponder is a passive chip that requires no battery.  I will talk more about tranponders and how they work in a separate post.

Replacing your key fob battery is a simple procedure that requires not specialist skills or knowledge.   Their are two types of fobs, some are built into the key and some are separate remotes that can be clipped onto the key.  Either way the procedure for replacing the battery is identical.  The battery will be flat and round like a large watch battery and stored in the head of the key fob.  To replace the battery simply open the fob in half using a flat head skrewdriver.  Depending on which car key you have, you may need to lift out the circuit board of the remote to reveal the battery.  Again, using a flat head screwdriver lift out the battery from its housing and fix in the new battery.  Clip the two remote halves back together and that’s it…battery replaced!

BEWARE… Some car key fobs will lose synch with the car if the battery is removed for too long.  If this happens the fob will need reprogramming.  Some key fobs can be reprogrammed with a manual procedure but some require programming with a diagnostic tool, so ensure you replace the new battery straight away.  I will discuss methods of programming your own key remotes in a future post.