First post so be gentle...

Purchased a 2009 Grand Caravan SXT yesterday...I have both original working "Smart Keys" (5 button fobs) and both have the emergency key that pops out of the "backside" of the fob. I also have a "Transponder" key (the regular looking key without the buttons) that will start the vehicle. I assume that this means it is already programed, but it is uncut at this time.
I assume that all I need to do to the transponder key is to take it and get it cut to match the other "emergency" keys that are in the backside of the fobs???...I assume this should give me a working Transponder key that will unlock the doors/glove box as well as start the vehicle???
Also, can I purchase another (extra) Transponder key and program it using the two original fobs???
I'm doing a lot of assuming here, so any advise or conformation would be greatly appreciated...
I also want to purchase a third (extra) Smart Key (5 button fob) as a spare...
I have seen these advertised on FleaBay for very little money as well as some others that range from 55 to 75 bucks or so.
The cheaper ones do not appear to have the emergency key included with them??? Perhaps these are used or left overs that have been programmed before???...can they be re-programmed???
Based on what I am seeing, it would appear that the least expensive way to go would be to buy a cheap one that does not have the emergency key, and the buy the emergency key separate from the fob for 6 or 7 bucks more from someone that is selling just that key???...but if this won't work, I would of course spend the additional money to obtain one that will work...
Also, I am assuming that since I have both original Smart Keys, I will be able to program the extra (third) Smart Key (fob) by myself without having to take the vehicle to a dealer???
I have seen the procedure listed elsewhere on this forum for a 2008 Caravan, but would greatly appreciate it if someone could verify the procedure for a 2009 Grand Caravan would be the same?

I know...lots of questions for a first post...any thoughts or advice for a forum "newb" is appreciated...
Thanks,
-Vic

 

I am little confused on your post but this is how it works.

You need to look on the back of the key fob with the buttons and match that number. look on ebay. You must buy a virgin programable key fob. if it was ever programed it wount work. only one time deal.

A. You need 2 actual keys that can start that vehicle to program the third. If you dont you SOL> means dealer can only do it.

B. You take the first working key place it in the ignition turn but dont start.
you take the second working key place it in the ignition turn but dont start.
now you put he third and turn it and leave it. it will be programmed and the start vehicle with it.

remember u need 2 to program 3rd and i think 10 keys max spots in the memory. so loose keys and get over the 10 then back to the dealer to re delete and reprogram

 

DodgeCaravan2010SXT...Thank you for your reply...

I took the "Transponder key" to a local dealer and had it cut to match one of the "emergency" keys that snaps into the fob (with the buttons)...it now works fine on door and glove box, as well as starting and running the vehicle...The fellow that cut the key for me told me that the transponder key I had was an after market key since it did not have the Chrysler brand on it...

I will be sure to purchase a "virgin" Smartkey (Fob) if I end up getting one off of the internet...and I will attempt to program the new fob myself since I have the original two fobs that came with the vehicle...I assume the "number on the back" that you are referring to is the part number since that is the number that is given in the Ebay ads for the fobs...(example: P/N 050266XXXX)

I am including a picture of the fobs and the transponder key (before it was cut), that I currently have for my van...Perhaps this might help with any confusion that I created with my OP...

Again, thanks for the reply...
-Vic

 

The transponder key was sold for the 1500 ram trucks,not the ram van/ caravan. Did you try to start and let the engine run, without the fobik with you?

 

master tech...

After reading your post, I tested the transponder key with the Fobiks still in the house. The transponder key started and ran the van while it was parked in my driveway for about a minute. I assumed a minute of "run time" should be enough time for a test???
...also, I was assuming that the original fobs were far enough from the vehicle (approximately 20-30 yards), so that they would not affect the test???...

There are several sellers on Ebay that sell the transponder (chip) keys for the Grand Caravan as well as several other Chrysler vehicles. They are sellers with excellent reps and guarantee the keys to work. It may be that these will work because they are after market products, and Chrysler only offers them for the 1500 RAM???...don't know...just thinkin' out loud...

 

that third key is not a caravan key that i know of. all caravan keys have what u call emergency keys that open the door incase of battery going dead on the transponders. that third key atleast in my 2010 would not fit into the ignition that i can tell. very weird that fit yours. i have to look more closer tommorrow into my ignition switch but i very doupt it will work. all caravans that ive seen is the first 2 u have.

 

The 3rd key does exist, I've seen them on BASE model caravan sold as Fleet vehicle. so does Base model journeys. It will fit into the Ignition cyln even tho the factory didnt come with that key. It does fit into your ignition cylinder, and you ignition cyln does NOT have tumbler inside, you can turn the ignition cyln with a screw driver.
but why would one want one of those keys?

 

DC2010SXT...

I am familiar with the "emergency key" that pulls out of the Fobik and I don't know for sure that the Transponder (3rd) key was ever a key offered with the SXT version of the Caravan, or even , as steak59 has said, it was ever a factory offering with any model van.
All I can say for sure is that my van had one with it when I purchased it, and that I was able to buy another one from eBay. I had the blank eBay key cut at my local dealer, I programmed it, and it starts and runs the vehicle. It also works all the locks. In other words, it does everything the Fobik (with the emergency key) does, except that it doesn't have any remote functions.

steak59...

I have the "extra" transponder keys for inexpensive $10 "back-up" purposes. I leave one hanging in my garage in case I am outside working so I don't have to run into the house to get my Fobik in order to move the van. The other hangs on a extra key hook in the house (just in case)...

 

I am looking to get an extra Transponder key and/or Fobik remote. Can you steer me in the right direction and advise if these late model Caravans can be programmed by me. I do have two original remotes that came with the vehicle. Thanks in advance. Frank