Having trouble getting a new key programmed

[Ryan1101]

Hi, i have a 2000 Jeep TJ and only had one key for it, unfortunately I managed to lose my only key so I brought it to the dealer to have a new key programmed for it and they managed to get it started but it shuts off because the transponder didn’t recognize the new key (which they programmed for it) Now I don’t have a ton of money to spend and the dealer says it could take hours to find the issue which they think is a wiring issue. Has anyone here had a problem similar to mine? What is the best solution to this without spending what my jeep is worth just to get it fixed? Thanks in advance!

- Ryan Alexander

 

[toximus]

Did you try starting it before taking it to the dealer with a non-chip key?

 

[joelachr]

I had a similar problem with mine recently. I had only 1 key and wanted to make sure I'd still have 2 and be able to program my own if I lost one. I took it to a dealer and they cut me a brand new key but couldn't get it programmed properly. I ended up going to a local locksmith who was able to finish the job.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/need-new-tj-keys.25898/page-2#post-522773

 

[Ryan1101]

Did you try starting it before taking it to the dealer with a non-chip key?

It ran before i lost my key but before taking it to the dealer I couldnt find a key that would fit.

 

[Daryl]

I had a similar problem with mine recently. I had only 1 key and wanted to make sure I'd still have 2 and be able to program my own if I lost one. I took it to a dealer and they cut me a brand new key but couldn't get it programmed properly. I ended up going to a local locksmith who was able to finish the job.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/need-new-tj-keys.25898/page-2#post-522773

This is what I did also.

 

[ac_]

I lost my wife's key to her TJ, and Ace Hardware set me up with a new one no issues, and programmed it correctly the first time, but it was like $60.

 

[Beaux1]

I has a similar problem, I had one key and wanted a second. The jeep dealer cut a key that didn't work. The dealer said the PO must have changed all of the locks and ignition. I went to a local lock shop and after they called to get the key code, they found that the factory code was wrong. They used there programmer and made me two spares that work fine. Lucky I had one SKIM key.

 

[C.J. Roberts]

I recently acquired a 2006 Dakota that has just one SKIM key. I cut two regular keys for it and hid the SKIM key up inside the steering column housing so that it will be close enough to it's receiver to operate.

 

[astjp2]

I need to do this on the lj, I have the transponder keys but no one locally seems to be able program it, dealers are idiots wit the older vehicles.

 

[Ryan1101]

Thanks guys I will take it back from the dealer and call some locksmiths to see what they can do, i’ll update once it’s fixed

 

[Ericict]

Lost one of the keys and am at the dealer right now. Guess how this is turning out.....been here for 2 hours

 

[astjp2]

are you done yet?


are you done yet?





are you done yet?








are you done yet?

 

[Ericict]

are you done yet?


are you done yet?





are you done yet?








are you done yet?

Nope. Taking it to a locksmith in the am. They had 2 DRBs and neither worked. They weren’t sure if it was their equipment or a bad set of keys. They said if the smith can’t do it to call them and they will order a module. They will flash the old one to clear and see if they can re-entry or replace and move on.

 

[CharlesHS]

Nope. Taking it to a locksmith in the am. They had 2 DRBs and neither worked. They weren’t sure if it was their equipment or a bad set of keys. They said if the smith can’t do it to call them and they will order a module. They will flash the old one to clear and see if they can re-entry or replace and move on.

Recently I had a Jeep Technician enable SKIM in the PCM, install and program the new SKIM module in the steering column and had 3 new factory keys cut. Multiple attempts to program the keys were futile; he even purchased a generic key from Ace Hardware and attempted to program the key. The module would not talk to the key. The conclusion is that even though the Factory Diagnostic tool can talk to the the SKIM module; there is a problem with antenna in the module and cannot talk to the keys. Since SKIM was enabled in the PCM and the keys could not be programmed; the Jeep would briefly start and shut off due to the keys not being detected by the module. The only work around for the mean time was to install a non SKIM enabled PCM from the following year Jeep so that I could drive the Jeep until a new module is received.

 

[Ericict]

Went to a keysmith this morning and bought an ilco key and it programmed first shot. She said its the same key only $30 cheaper because no jeep emblem. The key from the dealer was the wrong key. On the transponder key reader, it was a TC06 and my key is a TC04. I called the dealer and they are working to see what they did wrong. LOL

 

[Ericict]

are you done yet?


are you done yet?





are you done yet?








are you done yet?

DONE!

 

[pagrey]

I'd recommend anybody with two factory grey keys program a third key. This whole process is such a mess and a third key is good insurance. If you loose the third one you can always program a new one. I've heard that if you have only one key and go to a locksmith they simply clone the key so you can't use that pair to program a new key yourself. If you have two real keys all you have to do is cut a third and you can program it with the other keys so you save that cost. I've done it, it's easy. If you only have one grey key there's not much point in cloning more than one extra.

Sorry for you guys that had problems, I know this isn't much help. Hopefully others read this and avoid the trouble.

 

[Ericict]

I'd recommend anybody with two factory grey keys program a third key. This whole process is such a mess and a third key is good insurance. If you loose the third one you can always program a new one. I've heard that if you have only one key and go to a locksmith they simply clone the key so you can't use that pair to program a new key yourself. If you have two real keys all you have to do is cut a third and you can program it with the other keys so you save that cost. I've done it, it's easy. If you only have one grey key there's not much point in cloning more than one extra.

Sorry for you guys that had problems, I know this isn't much help. Hopefully others read this and avoid the trouble.

The locksmith I went to had a DRB (?) and programmed the key to the SKIM. Then told me how to add a 3rd key with using the 2 other keys. Im lucky to have services like this so close to me. We now have 3 keys and one will go into the safe. The Locksmith told me the ILCO key is the jeep key, they make it. She did say to not purchase the key on the net. Lots of fakes.

Does the Skim module overwrite or after 8 keys, it is done and has to be replaced. That is what the dealership was telling me. I didn't see anything like that in the manuals last night reading thru how the systems work.

 

[pagrey]

Does the Skim module overwrite or after 8 keys, it is done and has to be replaced. That is what the dealership was telling me. I didn't see anything like that in the manuals last night reading thru how the systems work.

No clue, I hear so many different stories about these things. Nice to hear a success story.

 

[Chris]

This reminds me, I only have one SKIM key! I need to go get some more made!