HELP!!..Lost car key and there's no spare!!!!

[Ms.Grumpy]

I am so mad at myself! I knew I should have made a spare but I alwas put it off. Does anyone know how I can get a new key? I have a Taurus I believe its a 98'. Not only that but I also had a key to a Lincoln navigator along with the auto starter (my DH is not speaking to me right now). I have read about an auto locksmith but wonder if they make new keys? If anyone has ever gone through this I would GREATLY appreciate your advice. Well I'm off to search my cousins house again. TIA

 

[pilgrimage]

Call the dealers and give the VIN (vehicle ID number). It's on
the door and at the base of the windshield, also on your wallet-sized
insurance card.
They may have auto-door openers which can be programmed quickly.

Bless your heart. I lost mine Tuesday and found it Friday.

 

[Green Tea]

this sounds crazy, but try someone else's ford key. Ford doesn't make too many different keys. If a friend's works, get a duplicate made of that one.

 

[jensen]

I've locked both of my keys in my car on multiple occasions... I just call the dealership with my VIN and they can make a new key... they'll verify ownership, of course. But, it's easily done at a Ford dealership.

 

[veraletta]

We call the dealership for my son's car and all they asked for was the vehicle ID number, they had the key made for us, and it was really cheap I know it was less then $10.

 

[bdcp]

The cost of the key depends on the type. A key for a newer car with a computer chip will be more than $10. I paid $25 for a key for a 2001 Honda Accord a couple of years ago because we bought it used and when we went to the dealer, they had to get a new one made with the computer chip in it. A much older car it's as simple as making a copy anywhere, if there's no chip. That would be $10 or less.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

The cost of the key depends on the type. A key for a newer car with a computer chip will be more than $10. I paid $25 for a key for a 2001 Honda Accord a couple of years ago because we bought it used and when we went to the dealer, they had to get a new one made with the computer chip in it. A much older car it's as simple as making a copy anywhere, if there's no chip. That would be $10 or less.

Wow $25 isn't bad. We had to pay around $90 when we had to get a new key.

 

[ceecee]

I was told with my Windstar, it would cost $95.00 for a replacement, not the auto start either, just the door locks. They said they couldn't just make a regular key. Luckily I found the spare set under the back seat!

 

[newtodis]

Yeah...I used to repurchase people's vehicles and they had to return the vehicle with everything they bought it with-including the key and spare key-in working order. Those key fob (the button thingys that lock/unlock your doors) can be VERY expensive! A regular key won't be too expensive at all-but like PPs have said, the newer the key, the more expensive. If you can get by right now with just a key, go that route until you really are sure 100% that you can't find the others.

 

[Ms.Grumpy]

I have my Keys back!!!
My Cousin found them in her driveway on top of one of her big rocks. Were guessing someone found them and placed them there, since I was no where near her driveway. I am so glad that I did not have to go to an auto locksmith, I didn't even think of contacting a Ford dealer. Anywho, the locksmith told me since it was a 97' that it would cost me $300 (yes not a typo) to get a new key. I want to thank everyone for their help, its good to know that my DIS family will still speak to me when my real family doesn't want to. (DH's over it now)
Thanks everyone.

 

[Kellydelly]

That's a relief, now run to the hardware store and get a copy or two made !

 

[AllyBri]

I keep a spare key in my cosmetic case, have a spare for DHs car too.

 

[Moeluv4u7]

Future info- key prices will vary by manufacturer but also dealership to dealership- But all keys today are very expensive- whether they have chips or not- the ones w/ the chips have to be programmed and some have to also be programmed to your engine as well- Ours cost between $190- to $260- and that doesn't include auto start keys!
Congrats on finding your keys! That is great news!

 

[clh2]

This is my PSA for the day - if you buy a new care...as your last little "negotiation" ask for an additional key and remote opener thingy. They are not going to lose a car sale on something like a key!

 

[arminnie]

I was in New Orleans just before Mardi Gras with one set of car keys. I flew to Dallas for a quick trip and somehow lost my keys in Dallas. Never knew how - just weren't there when I got back to New Orleans as Mardi gras weekend was starting.

My car was at the airport parking lot. What a mess. Regular locksmith could only open the doors. Only the dealer could make a new key and ONLY if I had my car towed in. It had to be physically present.

Everything shuts down for Mardi Gras in NO. It took hours to get a tow truck. Then the dealer didn't know if they would have time to even make a key before they closed (for a 4 day weekend).

I finally got a key (about $200) and left just in time to get totally stuck in the parade traffic. I live on the parade route so getting to my home is almost impossible once the parades start. Thank goodness I had a parking place as there was nothing available within about 2 miles.

 

[swilshire]

I was going to get a second spare made for our 2001 Dodge Caravan when a friend was driving us to the airport in his city about 200 miles from our home, then parking the car for us at his work. We were coming back on July 4 (taking a taxi back to the car) and thought it would be more convenient to just let him keep the spare for a while. Turned out the cheapest key was about $100. I had no idea you couldn't just go to Walmart and get them made these days.

Needless to say we just did without a spare until we could catch up with him a few weeks later.

Sheila

 

[bdcp]

The key I got for the Honda did not have a fob because the car didn't have automatic locks or an alarm. It was just a key with the black plastic part where there was a chip. A regular copy would unlock the door, but not start the car.

BTW, the dealer we bought from was CarMax and they reimbursed us for the spare keys as well as the book that was missing from the glove compartment.