Hi. I am new to the forum. I recently bought a used 05 Caravan SE (3.3L) with only one no-remote key. The anti-theft alarm arms whenever I push the lock button on the door and goes off crazily when I open the door until I turn the key in engine to on. The dealer told me that the van used to have a key with remote (one piece) and only the "unlock" button can disarm the "anti-theft" alarm. They wanted me to buy a new blank key with remote ($150) and they can program it for me. My old Ford Taurus (2004) can program a used car's remote to the car. (It is really that program the car to respond to the special frequency/sequence of the remote.) So I thought I might do the same thing with a used key. I bought one from ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWNX%3AIT) and a new housing with blank key (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWNX%3AIT). I bought another one without remote as well (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...3837&viewitem=). I got the keys cut and went to dealer today. They was able to program the one without the remote, but told me that the one modified by used one could not be programmed. I checked the manual and it does say that a programmed key cannot be programed to another car.

I am wondering how the Sentry Key works in Caravan? When you program, does the key get some modification and therefore cannot be programmed to another car? What would be my option? Do I have to buy a $150 key from dealer to get the "anti-theft" function taken care of? Thanks.


Some posts on ebay seems to suggest that it can be reprogrammed. Is that just I got a bad copy? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chrys...item20ba55ac85

 

Welcome to DF
Do you know if the dealer tried to clear all keys first and then try to program them? In most cases, you can't program used keys.

 

Thanks. hmm. I don't know whether dealer clear it or not. Don't know this to ask. Can the used key be cleared? Probably those sellers on ebay do not really know their business.

If not, then I have to get a blank key like this (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHRYS...item5d2e7233d2).

Just feels a bit silly to spend $100 for a key.

 

How do you even program a used key from another vehicle when you can't even turn the ignition switch on ur car with it?

The Blank key from Ebay sounds like a cheaper route. But u still need to pay the programing fee to ur dealer. You NEED 2 working key to program the 3rd key, as Ebay seller stated. Or else the dealer is ur only option.
and ask ur dealer part's dept to look up the key Part number and match it with Ebay b4 purchase. Ebay seller saids it Fit doesn't mean it will work on ur car.
Also, get a key smith you can trust to trace the key for u. I like the Old School Key tracer machine. If you take it to a key smith that use "eletronic/auto Key tracer", u r risking to destroy a $100 key.

If you think $180 is expensive for a Key, just wait... it'll get even more expensive on newer cars. and Stay away from European cars.

 

no the key is a one time programing deal. they do it for security. even the vehicle is 10 keys max then if you loose 10 keys they going to either erase one spot or all to reprogram for new keys.

 

Thank you all for the help.

I originally had only one key without remote. I brought two keys to dealer to reprogram. The new one without remote was programmed fine. But the used one with remote fitting in a new shell that cut to my car could not be programmed. So now I do have two engine-working keys. But neither have remote. I supposed that now I can program the third one with or without the remote. Am I right?

I am just a bit curious, my Taurus (2004)'s can be programmed easily for (used) remotes by myself. It essentially just tells the car to response to the special frequency/sequence of the remotes. And nothing really is altered in the remote. Now they told me that a programed key cannot be reprogrammed. This seems to suggest that the key has been modified somehow during the programing. Is that the case? Then the key is probably really cannot be reprogrammed if burned-in during programming.

On the other hand, when erasing one spot, is that something modified for the car or for the key?

I am on a tight budget, and paid $5K for the van. $100 key seems quite high for a $5K car.

 

I can report back that I got a fresh remote key from ebay and programmed myself as I have two fob keys. Used one is not programmable. I got it $55, less than half of $120 asked by dealer.