2004 Ford Fusion key FAIL

[Lankytim]

Hi all,

 

The inlaws fusion has taken to not starting with its "main" key. The doors all unlock with the remote buttons but the engine turns over and won't start. Starts fine with the spare key though. I take it the transponder thing has borked itself somehow, does anybody here have an idea on how to fix the damn thing?

[Alexg]

Probably needs to be re-coded at a dealer.

[hairnet]

you might get away with a new key and code from timpsons - possibly

 

if not dealer bummage (shame)

[andrew e]

Cable tie the spare chipped key in the steering coloum housing for now?

[kinkersaab]

^this, and get a chipless copy made for few £s and avoid main dealer totally.

[Lankytim]

Not a bad idea that. How much does a cheapo copied key cost anyway?

[hairnet]

6 quid last time i got one done before xmas

[D-Dubya]

usually the chip can be taken out the key housing and switched over, i did this with a Seat key. it wasnt even a chip, it was a little grey cylinder

[Lankytim]

So, I could take the chip out, stick it in the steering cowling somewhere and carry on using the original keys as usual?

[crapcarcollector]

Yes you can.

[Pillock]

Be aware that some transponders are glass capsules - my Seat one was. If you only have one working one, and go levering it out of the key to tape it to the steering column cowl then it might break. And then you're at the mercy of dealers because they'll need the VIN and sort it that way.

 

I'd get a Timpsons copy made first - it won't be cheap but it'll be a fraction of the price of a dealer one

 

Alternatively, you can put a generic transponder in (from eBay) and then program it to the car on some cars. I know when my old Mondeo "forgot" the code there was a way to use a working key to teach it a non-working key, something like put the working one in the ignition, put the new one in the door, turn the ignition on and waggle the one in the door a few times. Same thing should have worked on the Seat but never did.