[Preacher17]

Well I just bought my kid his first car a 97 v6 'stang. Really nice car...shoulda kept it for myself ! Anyway when we bought it it came with only one key so one of the first stops was Wal-mart to get a spare key. Got home and tried the key and discovered that the car wont start because its got an anti-theft system, so off to Ford I go. Talk to the parts guy and he tells me that I'm lucky I didn't burn up the theft system (at the cost of 900 bucks!) using an uncoded key! And that a coded key is going to run $65. He also tells me there is no way to shut the system off.

So my question is is this a load of BS to sell me a $65 key? (and whatever they charge to encode it) or is there a better way? This is a very low crime area and the car is 10 yo so I'm thinking that we might actually be better off just disabling the system instead of paying $65 bucks everytime my kid loses a key. Is it possible to do this and how do you go about it? OR is there somewhere out there that sell keys for less than 65 bucks? Thanks for the help.

Mike

[GTRaptor]

Only the part where you can BURN UP the system is bullshit.

But yes, you need a coded KEY, the passive antitheft system (PATS) is locked with the EEC (car computer) so you cant disable it and have to buy a key from a FORD dealer.

[Monkey Boy]

You can disable it, but only with a $400 programmer. You're better off buying the correct key.

[red vert 10]

save the key you bought at Walmart and tie it under the car someplace . It will come in handy ( unlocking door ) if he ever locks his keys in the car .

[red vert 10]

BYW , when ever you have a new key cut and coded you have to have ALL keys( even the old one ) recoded at the same time . Or thats what they told me . I only paid $65 dollars for everything .

[GuitarstarX7]

You can get the keys on ebay a lot cheaper with instructions on how to program it. There is a set of two for 16.99. Just type this in "1997 ford mustang transponder"