$177 for a key???

[murphy55d]

As I mentioned in my other thread we got an 05 Dakota SLT. Well it only came with one key...so I went to a Dodge dealer today, and he said a new one would cost $177 + tax! Is this for real? He said the key itself with keyless entry is $140, then they charge $37 to match it up with the vehicle. a key with no keyless entry would be $87. JUST for the key.

Do I have any other options besides not getting another key?

 

[nakedfrog]

Not that I'm aware of.
I guess you, for one, don't welcome your new microchip key overlords?

 

[murphy55d]

good god. i dont welcome paying damn near 200 bucks for a key, thats for sure.

 

[radioouman]

Probably not much you can do other than just take it.
My '94 Dakota SLT's keys are about $2.50 at Home Depot. Increase of 6980% Hyperinflation FTL!

 

[Demon-Xanth]

If they don't have a chip in it, you can get them for about $2 at a local hardware store.


...like hell if I paid $80 for the key in my wallet...

 

[iamwiz82]

Check Ebay, then pay the $37 to have it programmed.

I'm assuming you are talking about the key that has the integrated FOB, not the ones that are two seperate items.

 

[murphy55d]

He said it had a chip in it, which they had to program with my car. And yes , the one with the integrated FOB was $177. The key by itself is $87. He told me due to the chip it would take half an hour, and cost me those 2 prices.

 

[murphy55d]

found this on ebay:

Text

so if i bought that, all I'd need to do is have it cut somewhere?

 

[BlackTigers]

Originally posted by: murphy55d
found this on ebay:

Text

so if i bought that, all I'd need to do is have it cut somewhere?

I'd think you would need to get it programmed to your car, but other than that it should work.

$66 + 37 + $5 (for cutting) is a lot better than $180.

Also call around to several dealerships, some might have them programmed cheaper.

 

[SnipeMasterJ13]

That may work. As others have said it depends if there is a chip in the key. My car supposedly has 15 different chips available for it. Once they ordered the right one all they needed was to cut it. That was $40. It would have been another $70 for the keyless and $30 to program it. F that noise.

I know that I did find a few key fobs online with manuals on how to program it yourself. Mine was for a spare, so I didn't even bother. I'm not sure if the integrated fobs/keys like that work the same, but I would assume they would. Unless the integrated ones work on different frequencies? But if there is no chip required for the key, all you would need is to have it cut. The keyless entry is worthless until you have it programmed, though.

 

[ViviTheMage]

VW is the smae way, its not new...


keyless entry rmote is about 120 from the dealership, key itself is 60, THEN you pay for it to get cut, AND pay for it to get programed...about 300 bucks all in all.

The dealership will NOT cut a key for you either, unless it is purchased there...such is life.

 

[murphy55d]

Originally posted by: BlackTigers91

Originally posted by: murphy55d
found this on ebay:

Text

so if i bought that, all I'd need to do is have it cut somewhere?

I'd think you would need to get it programmed to your car, but other than that it should work.

$66 + 37 + $5 (for cutting) is a lot better than $180.

Also call around to several dealerships, some might have them programmed cheaper.

Well it says they give you instructions on how to program it yourself? And that it is not a "high security" keyblank...and supposedly it can be cut even at Home Depot.

 

[bruceb]

This is how to program the Dodge Key Remote:

This is the one procedure I have.not sure if it will work on the 2005 but print it and follow the steps precisely as written.

PROGRAMMING REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) MODULE
(1) Using a functional key fob transmitter, unlock the vehicle and disarm the Vehicle Theft/Security System.

(2) Insert ignition key into the ignition switch.

(3) Turn the ignition switch to RUN position without starting engine.

(4) Using a previously programmed transmitter, press the UNLOCK button for 5-10 seconds. While the UNLOCK button is being pressed, press the PANIC button (added note - hold the UNLOCK button for 5-10 seconds BEFORE pressing the PANIC button) and then release both buttons simultaneously. You will hear a chime sound to signal you that programming on the new transmitter(s) may occur.

(5) You may program up to 4 transmitters for your vehicle within a 30 second timed window. Press and release both lock and unlock buttons of a transmitter at the same time. Then press any of the buttons once, you will hear a beep when the transmitter has been successfully programmed. A chime will sound when the 30 seconds is over, or if you turn the ignition switch off.

(6) Verify RKE system operation using each key fob.

 

[murphy55d]

i checked the user manual and it gives instructions on how to do it with TWO working keys... but this is all moot if they wont cut it, as the manual says for Integrated keys/keyfobs, it must be cut at a dealership. i may have to wait and call to see whether or not a locksmith place can cut this or not.

 

[Zorba]

Anyone can cut the keys, it is just programming the chip inside the key that others won't do.

 

[CptCrunch]

Get the key on eBay, get it cut at Home Depot, take it to dealer to have them program or search the googles for diy instructions. Did this with a 2004 ford explorer, didn't even go to the dealer except to ask them how much. $120. Did it myself for $20

 

[BlackTigers]

Originally posted by: murphy55d
i checked the user manual and it gives instructions on how to do it with TWO working keys... but this is all moot if they wont cut it, as the manual says for Integrated keys/keyfobs, it must be cut at a dealership. i may have to wait and call to see whether or not a locksmith place can cut this or not.

Call around to the local locksmiths.

The dealer wanted $34 to cut my key, and HD/Lowes didn't have the proper machine to cut it.

I asked several locksmiths and found one who had the machine that the dealerships use, and it cost $4 to get it cut.

 

[murphy55d]

i wouldnt even care about the price to cut it... i just worry if they will do it, since i didnt buy it there. and of course we only have 1 dodge dealership here.

 

[Pacfanweb]

That's nothing compared to some of the foreign makes. I've seen 400 bucks for a new key

 

[thomsbrain]

Be glad you have the one key. When I bought my car, the dealership warned me that if I lost both keys at the same time, they would have to do some complicated procedure to reset the keyless codes or figure out what they were to get the new keys synced up to the car. He said it would cost around $400. Needless to say I am careful with my keys.

 

[sjwaste]

Is this an issue on new Toyotas? I'm thinking about a new Corolla Am I enough into the cheap zone where it won't be an issue?

 

[Gillbot]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Check Ebay, then pay the $37 to have it programmed.

I'm assuming you are talking about the key that has the integrated FOB, not the ones that are two seperate items.

Yep, I get my blanks from ebay then get them cut at any key place. If they have a fob, you can program them yourself.

 

[murphy55d]

well the locksmith said they sell the same thing that Dodge does for $150(better than $177). Programmed and all. Unfortunately everything I've read for the 05 Dakota you need TWO working keys in order to program another one by yourself. So it looks like one way or another I will have to pay for the key, cutting, and programming. I may as well just get it from the locksmith, as it'll cost me $80 on ebay for the key, another $5 to have it cut, then another $37 to have it programmed. The locksmith said they can't guarantee the programming on a key that doesn't come from them... so in the event i get a bogus key or something happens, i'm out the programming costs. At least if I get it from the locksmith I can have it in half an hour, instead of waiting for days for one to arrive on ebay. right now my wife and i are just sharing the one key. i just dont like not having a backup.