Hi!

We have a '05 Dodge Grand Caravan that I lost one of two key (with built-in FOB). I lost it because my lanyard broke for some crappy reason. I went to the dealer to price out a replacement... $300+ is crazy!

We do have an after-market remote car starter installed on the vehicle... is there some type of cheaper workaround I could do to get a replacement key/FOB?

Just inquiring, I'm hopeful we don't have to bite the bullet on this one...

 

Check on line Dorman they have all kind of Dodge key FOB and programming tool.

 

Thanks for responding! I can't seem to find a key FOB for my particular vehicle on the Dorman site. I went to dorman products.com and then selected my vehicle, I don't see any key FOBs listed... ???

 

How about this? Do I need 2 keys to program this?

 

Many locksmiths can do this job for much less than a dealer. In fact my local Ace Hardware does program keys now. The used car dealer we got my wife's Jeep at asked their key guy to do it for us at his car lot. It was ~$130 for her 2010 Jeep Patriot.

 

So I could buy my key on Amazon and get a locksmith to cut the key and program it too? Good plan...

 

I don't know if you can just buy a key on Amazon and then ask the locksmith the program it, so you better run that by them first. And call if you never give just one quote on anything they costs more than a few hours of pay.

 

I can’t speak for all hardware stores that claim to program chip keys now, but Ace hardware in particular doesn’t program chip keys - they clone them. It’s essentially a “copy and paste” of the chip info, so you have to have a key that’s original to the vehicle in order for them to do it.

I don’t know for sure but I’m betting most other hardware stores and locksmiths do the same.

The dealer is so pricey in part because you’re paying for OEM parts, but also because they will most likely order keys that are pre-programmed and cut using the VIN.