Today I managed to lose the spare key to my Focus. This was a small one without any remote control buttons; the garage I bought the car from had it made for me. I think it was called a transponder type. It would open the doors and start the car but had no remote control functionality. I still have the original (working) Ford key with the remote control fob. A note of the codes came with the documentation (Unit Type FDD200, Serial number Vnnnnnn, Key Code nnnn - I've put n for the actual digits).

I want to replace the lost spare and having read forum posts here and elsewhere I am thoroughly confused. Some people say only a Ford dealer can do the job. Others say get a physical key made elsewhere and pay Ford to program it. Some people say Timpsons and similar shops can do the entire job, cutting a key and programming it. Some say you can program the replacement yourself but you need two existing keys to do it. Some people are talking about red masters and blue masters.

Can someone who has actually done this sort out the confusion? The car is a Focus 1.6 2010 model, registered 2011. Here is the picture of the main key:



n.b. the manual has a section on reprogramming a key. It is a complicated ritual involving switching the key from position I to II four times in ten seconds. No doubt you have to raise your left trouser leg immediately after. There is no mention of needing a second key to complete the operation, but it does say all existing keys need to be reprogrammed in the same way.

The last stage in the process is pressing one of the buttons on the remote control fob. But you can't do this if your new key doesn't have remote control! If it's easier to get a replacement with remote control that is fine.

Mobile locksmiths can cut a manual non remote key around the £100 mark or £150 for another remote, as you can drive the car you will probably find this cheaper to drive to a locksmith or garage.

When I had a spare remote they told me on you model they need all the keys you wish to use in the vehicle or they will stop working, won't be recognised.

I had my remote and spare standard key on the passenger seat and he made my a second remote.

That was a year ago, remote (Ford logo, looks original) cost £130 from The AA.

On some older models, and the blue Transit keys I think they have to make two keys, but that's if all the keys are lost.

The 'key twist in the ignition' procedure will only programme a remote fob to open your doors.

What you need is a key programming to the immibiliser system, this is usually performed by using an IDS module or by someone with a laptop/cable/correct software.

If you are planning to just replace the non-remote key then buy a new one off ebay and ring a few local auto locksmiths for quotes to 'Cut and Code'.

I added a flip key to my previous car (mk2 Focus) and it was £35 off ebay and £30 for a 'cut & code' from a locksmith I know through work so got off easy on cost.

Have you not got key cover on your car insutance?

Thanks Stratoc but I'm still confused about the difference between remote control and non-remote control keys (also called copy keys or transponder keys). I had a look at the Timpsons website. It supplies both types. Under remote control keys it says ' The majority of original keys have to be programmed diagnostically via the cars engine management system'. That's presumably something you have to do yourself in the car (as per earlier post). Under non-remote keys it says 'We can supply and cut chipped (transponder keys) non remote keys for your vehicle the main difference being there are no remote functions on the key'. No mention of the engine management system but doesn't the internal chip need to be programmed so that the engine managment system recognises it?

Thanks Stoney, you replied as I was replying to Stratoc. I think i understand now...will look at a few locksmiths.

I'll check my insurance but very unlikely to be worth making such a small claim.

The 'key twist in the ignition' procedure will only programme a remote fob to open your doors.

What you need is a key programming to the immibiliser system, this is usually performed by using an IDS module or by someone with a laptop/cable/correct software.

If you are planning to just replace the non-remote key then buy a new one off ebay and ring a few local auto locksmiths for quotes to 'Cut and Code'.

I added a flip key to my previous car (mk2 Focus) and it was £35 off ebay and £30 for a 'cut & code' from a locksmith I know through work so got off easy on cost.

Have you not got key cover on your car insutance?

Stoney, when your locksmith did your 'cut and code' is this something that had to be done in your car? If the 4-digit code is known (I know mine) can it be done remotely? It would make life easier.

Just to clarify-

All Ford keys have a transponder which has to be coded to the ECU or else the immobiliser (PATSII) won't disarm.

Only remote keys need further programming to the RCL module in order to remotely lock/unlock the car.

Stoney, when your locksmith did your 'cut and code' is this something that had to be done in your car? If the 4-digit code is known (I know mine) can it be done remotely? It would make life easier.

The key transponder is coded by inserting the key into the ignition and then an IDS unit is plugged into the cars data port.

It takes about 2 minutes to do.

If you go to a Ford dealer they will first insist on doing a 'diagnostic', then supply a key (they won't do self supplied keys), and then call an Auto Locksmith themselves (probably the exact same one you'd be likely to find yourself) so you'd be paying an hours labour, the cost of a key, £90+ for a disgnostic and then the locksmiths fee on top.

Cut out the middle man, go directly to the locksmith yourself and save yourself about £250 :d

Just to clarify-

All Ford keys have a transponder which has to be coded to the ECU or else the immobiliser (PATSII) won't disarm.

Only remote keys need further programming to the RCL module in order to remotely lock/unlock the car.

Are you saying the IDS / laptop and software / whatever must be connected to your car? In other words, no matter how much information I give to the locksmith he has to go into the car to get the keys recognised by the immobiliser? (I'm talking about non-remote keys)/

stop press! just seen your second post!

I think I've finally got it. Bottom line is you can't walk into a high street locksmith and walk out with a key that you can use straight away, even if you know your key's code. Your new key needs to be programmed into the engine management system and this can only be done electronically by equipment attached to the car. If your key has a remote control fob, further programming is needed to enable the new key's central locking function (but this bit is fairly DIY).

I think I've finally got it. Bottom line is you can't walk into a high street locksmith and walk out with a key that you can use straight away, even if you know your key's code. Your new key needs to be programmed into the engine management system and this can only be done electronically by equipment attached to the car. If your key has a remote control fob, further programming is needed to enable the new key's central locking function (but this bit is fairly DIY).

In a nutshell yes.

A key can also be added to the locking module at the same time it is being programmed to the immobiliser.

The twist'n'press procedure is the manual method anyone can do without access to IDS, this is so you can re-register a key if the RCL battery inside it goes dead and isn't replaced quickly enough.

The codes in your original post relates to the radio.

I had the same problem. All i did was buy a new remote key from www.carkeyfobs.co.uk for £25. Ford even cut the blade for £2!!! Programmed the central locking to the remote key myself, all you do is insert your new key into the ignition and turn it to position 2. Then from position 2, turn the key from 2 to 1 quickly until you hear a beep sound then simply press any button on your remote until you hear another sound, then turn back to 0 and remove the key and your new remote is programmed. Luckily for me, my pal is a mechanic so he programmed my transponder for me. Any high street garage shoukd have the equipment to program your transponder for far less than a locksmith or main dealer. I hope this helps.

I thought I had this all worked out but I'm not so sure. This morning I went to a local cobbler/locksmith and he said he could make me a copy key and do all the required coding without going near my car, seeing I had a working key. He does the physical cutting and his colleague (who's not in the shop till next week) does the coding, using a cloning machine. He says the machine will program the replacement key to appear identical to the original key as far as the engine management system is concerned. I presume the transponder must act in a similar way to the RFID tags you get on shop items; the car sends a signal to the transponder and the transponder transmits a code back, the energy required coming from the car's signal, so the copy key requires no battery. So my replacement key will return the same code as the original key and engine management thinks it's the same key.

If all this is right then my earlier statement that you can't walk out of a locksmith with a working key isn't quite true; you can, if you walk in with a working key. Anyway, I've taken a punt on it and it'll cost £60 all told, key plus coding. I'll find out next week if I've been a mug or not.

One more thing. If keys can be cloned in this way, what is the point of the transducer? I presume it was introduced because it was too easy for a thief to 'borrow' a key, copy it, and steal the car. But you have to assume these cloning devices are obtainable by miscreants and scapegallows as well as by honest locksmiths. Doesn't this bring us back to where we were before?

Cheaper than ford anyway. They would have doubled the price just for running diagnostics even before doing the key and programming it. So suppose £60 from a locksmith isnt too bad :) let me know how you get on, as i had the same problem

Would you believe it I've got the lost key back . I lost it yesterday somewhere in or around a country place called Royden Park. I had gone there to do some botanising. Apologies to any landowners here but this involved some constructive trespassing and I assumed the key had fallen out of my pocket on one of the illicit traversals of fences I had made. I had parked the car near a teashop so without any realistic hopes I went back this afternoon to ask if anyone had handed a key in to them. And somebody had, this morning. No rain since yesterday and the key has survived. I don't regret ordering the replacement as a third key is not really superfluous now I've demonstrated a propensity to lose them so readily.

Ahh thats good then! Least you will havr a third key extra