Hi.

I had to get a replacement instrument cluster fitted to my '09 Focus and stupidly only got the 1 original key reprogrammed when I got it fitted, meaning that I can't start the car with the 2nd original key.

Is there any way of programming the 2nd key using the 1st only? Most of what I've seen suggests you need 2 programmed keys to do a 3rd one, but I only have 1 working key.

I looked at the Forscan/OBDCII route, but I think the OBDCII reader I got off ebay was too crappy to allow reprogramming options and I'm loathed to spend any more money on this as I don't know how long the whole car will last.

Thanks for any suggestions, even if it is that I've got to pay £150 to get it done (which won't happen).

L.

Save yourself much hassle & grief, and take it to a reliable local independent locksmith who should be able to supply/program an additional fob.(not Timpsons)

Thanks, but the fobless 2nd key I have is just wanted as an emergency spare. I can still unlock the car manually with it, it just no longer starts the car due to the instrument cluster change.

So back to my original question, can the 2nd key be set so that it can start the car using the first key alone?

If I did take the 2nd key into a locksmith as suggested, what could they do? It's got to be programmed against the car with the relevant ODBCII kit hasn't it?

 

 

11 minutes ago, CassandraC said:

Thanks, but the fobless 2nd key I have is just wanted as an emergency spare. I can still unlock the car manually with it, it just no longer starts the car due to the instrument cluster change.

So back to my original question, can the 2nd key be set so that it can start the car using the first key alone?

If I did take the 2nd key into a locksmith as suggested, what could they do? It's got to be programmed against the car with the relevant ODBCII kit hasn't it?

The locksmith will unlikely want to program your own key, hence I suggested they supply/program their own fob. They will be able to do it, but simply will make little money if you already have a key. Worth asking though, you may get a sympathetic locksmith. They have very sophisticated programming tools which cost £1000s...

The answer is no, you can't program your 2nd fob using the one key you already have. As you stated in your OP, you need both original keys to program a 3rd.

@unofix is quite knowledgeable in these matters, he may pop in soon to advise better...

I'd get the original cluster repaired and save yourself a load of hassle

3 hours ago, CassandraC said:

So back to my original question, can the 2nd key be set so that it can start the car using the first key alone?

Hello Larry, firstly it is very important to understand that it is the 'car' that gets programmed to recognise the key and not the other way round.

Each key, or keyfob has a passive transponder chip fitted inside. The transponder has a unique code number that can not be changed. When a key is added to a vehicle, the unique code number of the transponder is programmed in to the vehicles memory.

On older vehicles (before 2013) there was a system that could be used to add additional keys provided that you have two working keys each with their own unique transponder code. The keys may or may not be the original factory supplied keys but they can not be a clone of each other, which is often a problem caused by companies like Timpsons. They can not programme the vehicle and instead use a special third party keyfob which can have the code of a working key cloned and programmed in to the keyfob. This is very poor practice and can lead to security issues with the PATS system, since the vehicle can not tell the keys apart.

Using FORScan it will be possible to add extra genuine keys to your 2009 vehicle. The process is the same as that carried out by a Ford main dealer. Firstly all keys are erased from the vehicles memory. Next all keys are added in to the vehicles memory, one at a time, consecutively. This process deletes any lost keys from the memory of the car.

Thanks guys. As this is meant to be the cheapest way of getting the spare key working, getting the original cluster repaired is not an option. It had already been "repaired" twice, hence a new cluster.

The 2nd key is the original from Ford when I bought the car. I understand about the car getting programmed to recognise the key, as I got Forscan and a cheap connector, but when I connected it all up the key options were unavailable and a google of this suggested the cheap connector I'd bought wasn't upto the job.

You've confirmed that I can't do this myself with just one working key. Last throw of the dice before I accept I won't have a 2nd key is to contact the local electrical garage to see if they will erase and add both keys, and how much that would be.

6 minutes ago, CassandraC said:

Thanks guys. As this is meant to be the cheapest way of getting the spare key working, getting the original cluster repaired is not an option. It had already been "repaired" twice, hence a new cluster.

The 2nd key is the original from Ford when I bought the car. I understand about the car getting programmed to recognise the key, as I got Forscan and a cheap connector, but when I connected it all up the key options were unavailable and a google of this suggested the cheap connector I'd bought wasn't upto the job.

You've confirmed that I can't do this myself with just one working key. Last throw of the dice before I accept I won't have a 2nd key is to contact the local electrical garage to see if they will erase and add both keys, and how much that would be.

I see about the cluster.

Just tow it to Ford and they'll reprogram your keys

£70 for someone to come out and reprogram both keys to the cluster seems like the cheapest option for me. Thanks everyone.