This morning my sister called to get me to help her get her car started, an 08 ford escape. I thought whatever probably just a battery, so I get in it tonight and turned the key, no starter. I noticed a security light blinking so I looked it up in the manual to find out its the electronic key. Come to find out she put it through the washer the night before. Look it up in the manual to find their advise for a lost key is to tow the car to the dealer to be reprogrammed, and have new keys made, about 500 dollars worth of crap.

What the hell? I'll never buy a new car.

Does anyone know a way to get a cheaper key made or get around having to tow it?

 

Happened to my step-dads car and a good friend of mine, just gonna have to bite the bullet... *rolls eyes* new cars...

 

I would try/ask a real locksmith (not The Depot) can cut the correct proper key and reprogram all others. It's an easy $100 key most of the time. "But mom, cars are cool".

 

There are independent people who can cut keys and reprogam the chips.

However, some of the late 90's early '00 Toyotas cannot be reprogrammed. You have the replace the whole ignition setup, and the ECU. Stupid immobilizer junk

Start by calling a local locksmith, and if he can't do it, ask for advice and start checking on google. Just be thankful she doesn't have a Lexus. You think $500 is bad

 

It looks like the locksmith will be able to ..... thanks for the advise I'll keep you all updated

 

if you are smart with electronics you can bypass the resistor in the ignition switch. had to do that in an 02 Cadillac once.