I have only just skim read this thread so forgive me if I have repeated what others have said.

Many places will cut a key and you can buy off Ebay for what seems like a reasonable amount, but what that key does can vary a lot. It could be a blank, it may be cut but only open doors, but hopefully it will open doors turn on ignition, and start the vehicle.

But, my money is on the barrel, you can lubricate with graphite 'grease' but probably a new barrel is in order.

About five years ago I paid £150 to have barrel replaced on my Disco'. I removed the trim and they removed and fitted new barrel. I paid a bit extra to have same key for doors and ignition. Took a couple of hours.

1 hour ago, anotherforduser said:

Hmm can you expand a bit on how I would program from the new key?

The key code is just a sequence of numbers. Those numbers refer to the angles cut into the key. If you've got a good eye you can work out the code as shown below. (Doesn't work so well on old worn keys so best to use the new one).

I seem to remember I did it just with a small flat blade screwdriver, some form of pliers/mole grips and a thin metal tool to release the old barrel but it was a while ago now. Also on a car rather than a Transit so the plastic cowl might be slightly different. This video shows how easy it is to replace the barrel once the cowl is removed.

19 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

The key code is just a sequence of numbers. Those numbers refer to the angles cut into the key. If you've got a good eye you can work out the code as shown below. (Doesn't work so well on old worn keys so best to use the new one).

I seem to remember I did it just with a small flat blade screwdriver, some form of pliers/mole grips and a thin metal tool to release the old barrel but it was a while ago now. Also on a car rather than a Transit so the plastic cowl might be slightly different. This video shows how easy it is to replace the barrel once the cowl is removed.

Haha, wow now that does look straight forward. Lol.

So with this one where I will be programming myself is that instead of the 20 quid or so ones mentioned earlier that come with keys and barrel in one. The 60 odd is still 3x more however I think I would still do it as I will feel bad not using the new key my mum paid 90 quid for, just on principle!

On 2/21/2026 at 3:05 PM, rd457 said:

I was reacting to the price difference compared to the £10 replacement barrel and keys, but of course you'd have to have the vehicle reprogrammed to those keys, so no, whatever way you look at it, sorting the problem would likely set you back a similar amount, unless you already happened to have the necessary stuff to reprogram keys yourself with forscan (presuming key reprogramming for your vehicle model were supported by forscan).

Just looking back through the thread and even with the 10 quid ones I would still have had to have a callout to reprogram the vehicle to the keys right? So the 60 quid for the barrel to work with the locks ain't so bad?

Anyway it is what it is. :)

I still am not following all the discussion, even having re-read it, of barrels, keys, codes, programming cars to keys and ring transponders and all the rest of it. Lol, it is a lot to think about. From my shallow understanding the new key done by timpsons has all the stuff to make things work so long as I get a new barrel to work with the new key.

21 hours ago, Theshed said:

I have only just skim read this thread so forgive me if I have repeated what others have said.

Many places will cut a key and you can buy off Ebay for what seems like a reasonable amount, but what that key does can vary a lot. It could be a blank, it may be cut but only open doors, but hopefully it will open doors turn on ignition, and start the vehicle.

But, my money is on the barrel, you can lubricate with graphite 'grease' but probably a new barrel is in order.

About five years ago I paid £150 to have barrel replaced on my Disco'. I removed the trim and they removed and fitted new barrel. I paid a bit extra to have same key for doors and ignition. Took a couple of hours.

That is basically a summary of everything discussed so far and the conclusion I have come to having tried the other methods. 😁

I am planning to get the one where I build it myself as @TomsFocus linked earlier: https://shop.ford.co.uk/products/ford-steering-column-ignition-lock-repair-kit-1976-2013

1 hour ago, anotherforduser said:

Haha, wow now that does look straight forward. Lol.

So with this one where I will be programming myself is that instead of the 20 quid or so ones mentioned earlier that come with keys and barrel in one. The 60 odd is still 3x more however I think I would still do it as I will feel bad not using the new key my mum paid 90 quid for, just on principle!

Yes, the £60 barrel means you still keep the old keys, and only need one key to unlock doors and start ignition.

If you buy a £20 barrel & key set them you would have to carry the old key as well for the door locks.

These barrels are coded not programmed. Programming is what's done with a laptop to make the wireless parts work (immobiliser and remote unlocking). Your new key was programmed by Timpsons for those features to work. The barrel change doesn't affect the programming.