New Remote (Fob)

[Katxoxo]

There has been a lot of discussion over 'new' or replacement keys and remotes to the Thunderbird.

I keep seeing many different remotes for sale on ebay - -anywhere between $6.95 to $39.95 (plus shipping of course).

I was curious as to anyone who bought the remote from their local dealer and what the charge was for the remote -- and for the programming.

I ask -- because I was very seriously going to buy one from ebay and program myself (I do have one remote in possession). I decided I was not going to do it for the 'second' remote but might consider doing a third on my own.

ANYWAY - I was very surprised the dealer charged me a total of $50 for the remote itself and for the programming. While that may seem like a lot of money to our resident DIYs - I really thought for my time and effort, it was a reasonable cost.

Anyone else use the dealer for this? And what was your charge?

(BTW -- they wanted about $115 for a new valet key - which I decided to pass on for the moment. I know we have a recent thread about keys -- but the back and forth would be very 'not worth it' for me given the hours I work.....anyone else use the dealer for a new key recently?)

[Leroy]

Re: New Remote (Fob)

Who's got a Valet key? I never got one. Leroy

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[Katxoxo]

Re: New Remote (Fob)

As far as I know -- they are not an 'original' to the Thunderbird, but in searching threads, some folks say the Lincoln LS valet key works for the Thunderbird.

[Leroy]

Re: New Remote (Fob)

Interesting, but I can't imagine how it works? Leroy

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[Katxoxo]

Re: New Remote (Fob)

Not sure Leroy...but seemingly others have done it...however, my dealer is asking more than I am willing to pay for a valet key.


Anyone else buy a replacement remote (fob) for your bird? Purchase at dealer -- or off of ebay (or similar)?

[5bird7]

Re: New Remote (Fob)

Bought our extra remotes off of ebay. George followed directions and programmed for each of our newer Ford cars/trucks. Think the cost was around $25 or maybe even less for each remote - can't remember as it was several years ago that I bought them.


Is there something a valet key is locked out of besides the alarm?

[DavidA]

Re: New Remote (Fob)

To my knowledge, the Valet key is not an option on out Birds. The way it works on cars equipped with it is it will open the door and operate the ignition, but will not open the trunk or glove box.

I had a regular key cut so I could lock and unlock the glove box with it, but it will not run the ignition. It will, however open the door too.

There is no way to secure 'stuff' in the TBird as long as there is access to a key and/or the key fob.

[lostjohn]

Re: New Remote (Fob)

Well, At our local ford dealer I paid $41.29 for 1 remote 348302, and $28.75 for the Programmable key. Plus $ 70. to program both, which they never got the key done because they said the module on the cluster was bad [long story]. Bottom line I should have bought the key and fob from Ebay.

[Katxoxo]

Re: New Remote (Fob)

Bought our extra remotes off of ebay. George followed directions and programmed for each of our newer Ford cars/trucks. Think the cost was around $25 or maybe even less for each remote - can't remember as it was several years ago that I bought them.


Is there something a valet key is locked out of besides the alarm?

$25 for each remote is great! I did see a bunch of used ones that I was not interested in purchasing -- and the 'new' ones listed seem to have a different part number than on the back of my one remote.

I was mostly concerned with screwing up the programming for the second remote, hence purchasing/programming through the dealer. Now that I already have a new one for the second remote, I am in no rush for a third-- but for a third as an extra -- I would definitely get from ebay and 'test my luck' at programming myself.


As for the valet key -- very often, we drive into the city, where my car parked in a place where 'we' are not allowed to park our own car, a valet does it (that is the case for most NYC parking garages). I wanted a valet key that can start the car, open the doors -- but cannot open the trunk or glovebox. It is not a necessity - but something that would give me a little flexibility. Locally on Long Island, I - of course - park my own car and often piss off valets when I ask to park my own car (I still tip them so they don't feel stiffed).


DavidA -- I believe some folks found the Lincoln LS blank to work for this purpose. I just don't get how my dealer wants to charge me over $100 bucks for it -- so I am passing until I find another alternative.

[Katxoxo]

Re: New Remote (Fob)

Well, At our local ford dealer I paid $41.29 for 1 remote 348302, and $28.75 for the Programmable key. Plus $ 70. to program both, which they never got the key done because they said the module on the cluster was bad [long story]. Bottom line I should have bought the key and fob from Ebay.

That is just crazy.

[Leroy]

Re: New Remote (Fob)

Does anyone have a Valet ket for a retro Bird? If so how did you get it. I would like to have one but didn't think they were available. Leroy

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[Brad]

Re: New Remote (Fob)

You could re-key the lock on the trunk button and not give the valet your key FOB. I'm assuming it's a standard lock that doesn't need the "chip" in the key. This would keep them out of the trunk.

When I valet I never give them the FOB and I always tip them when I drop the car off...my car is usually within 50 feet of where I left it. Many garages that I go to often know that I tip well and will often let me park my car myself since they know that they will still get paid.

[Leroy]

Re: New Remote (Fob)

What about the manual trunk release behind the driver's seat? Leroy

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[GeorgeW]

Re: New Remote (Fob)

Last time I neeeded another fob the service rep just gave me one, and programmed it for free. We get all of our service work done there so I am sure that helps. That includes three towncars, 05 thunderbird, F250 pickup, and F350 bucket truck. You can also get used fobs from an auto recylcer. They normaly have a box full of different manufacturs. GeorgeW