Hey.... I didn't read your thorough answer until after I tried to do a few more "experiments" with all this and now I have also researched the PATS system and the theft light meanings more thoroughly as well.... And I found a way around the system too but it is hokey kind of.... and I don't think I want to deal with hokey right now. What I do know is that I don't want to give Ford or a locksmith money to solve a problem that really doesn't exist... I have two working keys.... but my intent is/was to have a third and/or fourth working key to keep in my fishing tackle box and perhaps another hidden in the box of the truck.... yes, paranoia, but you just never know..... and I have this kind of setup on my 1995 Chevy which has no high tech anything... simply I have four keys for it, two of them hidden.
The system I used to program the keys on my 2004 Ford Ranger were outlined on several videos and were pretty straight forward... but I don't ALWAYS get the same results... For example, sometimes I do the first original key, second original key, insert the new blank key method, and pull out the new key wait five seconds and put it back in and try it.... sometimes, this method gives me nothing.... no starter motor etc... other times, I get the starter motor to turn and there is hope? but no ignition...... This has been the case several times and I keep on trying; a definition of insanity fits here....
So, more research and will go out and try to look at the theft light some more to make sure I am informed as to what it should be telling me by the way it reacts....
I also ran across this.... a way to bypass the entire system kind of, although it is hokey.....
The procedure to permanently bypass the PATS system is fairly simple:
- Disassemble the ignition key grip to get to the RFID chip.
- Carefully remove the chip from its housing, then reassemble the key.
- Use a piece of tape to temporarily secure the RFID chip close to the ignition lock.
- Insert the key and try starting the vehicle. If the engine doesn’t start, reposition the chip and try again.
- Once you’re able to reliably start the engine, superglue the chip or use other means to properly secure it.
- Now you’ll be able to start the car with any copy of the key!
Assuming I get the two newly cut Ebay keys to program enough to turn the starter motor, which has happened a couple of times, then this method should work..... However..... why do I have to remove the RFID chip from one of the original keys and tape it or glue it close to the ignition? Why can't I just tape one of the original keys near the ignition area of the steering column instead of removing the chip? and then use one of my newly cut non-working keys to spin the starter motor???? Wouldn't that work?
Which then raises one question.... where exactly is the RFID receiver located in the steering column? I would need to position/tape an original key at that location..... IE above or below the ignition switch? front of the ignition switch or behind it? I am considering this just to try... just to satisfy my curiosity.....
PS... There is a video of a guy taking apart the Ford key he found in a junkyard to show what the chip looks like inside the key handle... interesting....
I think I have enough information now.... but yesterday, I took the two original keys down to my local hardware store, and the new uncut replacement key the Ebay seller sent to me so I would not leave negative feedback, and had that key cut... brought it home and went through the two original keys then newly cut key programming procedure with the exact same results of the first failed Ebay key I got.... sometimes it will not program at all... sometimes I get it done and the starter turns but there is a no start situation..... and that is where I am at today....
I would love to know/understand specifically what the exact problem is/was on this but will probably never know... In other words, are the Ebay key blanks junk? Is there a procedural issue that I am screwing up on the programming of the newly cut key? But I think to find that answer, I will/would need to bend the ear of a locksmith or Ford..... and $$$$ is not going to happen..... For now, I am satisfied with having a third and fourth key to at least open a locked door.... and will leave it at that....
If anyone reading this has a theory, I would love to hear it... I am going to wait until after Wednesday to try to tape an original key to the column after getting one of the newly cut keys to at least spin the starter..... I need this Ranger working on Wednesday for a "mission" and don't want to risk screwing up the ignition on it until Thursday....
Thanks for all the information......!!!!!!