Update on cutting and programming a new key:
Having one key sucks, it means my partner can’t get into the vehicle if it’s locked and I’m away with the key, when I inevitably lose my key, lock it in the car, e.t.c. It’s a call to the locksmith. Other folks have better guides on all this fun stuff so I’ll be sure to provide links vs. me trying to regurgitate it all.
So I called the local Ford dealership and was quoted 275$ (probably not including tax) for a cut and programmed key, to be done at some indeterminate date, I actually agreed just to save myself the time and the headache of doing it myself. After 2 cancellations however, I got tired of waiting and started figuring it out.
For my 2003 Mazda B3000, I referenced
THIS guide and made sure to purchase an 80 Bit Transponder key, compatible with the following protocols H92, H84. I bought
THIS one, totalling 13.99+tax. A local locksmith was able to cut the key for a REASONABLE 4.57$, tax included.
Frankly that guide ought to be in the tech library for easy reference, as finding it is a bit of a pain in the ass. It is in the tech article section of the forum, but hasn’t been added.
Now comes programming via Forscan, luckily there’s a lot of information out there, particularly as to which OBD2 adapter you should buy in order to have the best chance of success with Forscan. So I bought
THIS one from VGate, because it was the cheapest one on the recommended list, and may prove useful later when I start digging into the airbag system. At a cost of 37.59 + tax.
Getting an activation/license for ForScan was pretty easy, if weird.
Adding the new key was as simple as booting up ForScan, opening the PATS tool, and bingo bango bongo new key programmed and starts the car.
In total, I spent 58.34$, for a new key, OBD2 diagnostic tool, and key cutting services, taxes and shipping included and was able to get it done with shipping times in just under 3 days, vs. the weeks it took for the Ford Dealership to tell me they can’t do it, again.
We’re looking at a whopping savings of at least 216.66$, which sounds very REASONABLE to me.