$180 for a new key!!! And other Chrysler rants...

[RatRodPT]

Loxmith, there may not be a physical difference between the transponder keys and regular keys, but different shops will view them differently. When I bought two transponder blanks off ebay, I took them to my local Orchard Supply Hardware and they said they don't cut transponder keys. Then I took them to a local locksmith and had them cut. I'm thinking OSH "could" have cut them, but maybe for liability reasons they just have a blanket policy to not cut transponder keys?

[pdbrains]

They don't want to cut a expensive key you bring in because if they cut it, and it does not work, they do not want to pay for it.

[2007]

Originally Posted by PokonoPT

If the car has had the vibration issue since it was new, why wait over 8000 miles to bring it up at the dealership? I have had five PTs, and none of them vibrated at ANY speed. If they did vibrate, I would have them to the dealer ASAP, not 8000 miles later.

I did tell them ASAP, but they said this car isn't like the Suburban I drive and will feel a little different. They must think I'm an idiot.

[loxmith]

Originally Posted by RatRodPT

Loxmith, there may not be a physical difference between the transponder keys and regular keys, but different shops will view them differently. When I bought two transponder blanks off ebay, I took them to my local Orchard Supply Hardware and they said they don't cut transponder keys. Then I took them to a local locksmith and had them cut. I'm thinking OSH "could" have cut them, but maybe for liability reasons they just have a blanket policy to not cut transponder keys?

Originally Posted by pdbrains

They don't want to cut a expensive key you bring in because if they cut it, and it does not work, they do not want to pay for it.

^ That is probably the reason right there, Remember the guy at the hardware store/walmart is probably only getting paid $6 bucks an hour. They may not Care enough to make sure its done right the first time.

Basically because they don't stock the key, they don't want to cut them because they are expensive.(about $7ea) Yes the Keys are more expensive than normal keys, but in reality they aren't that much, and tip to bow they are exactly like the keys they cut and sell. only difference is in the head, which the key machine doesn't care about.

[04stocker]

New key for wife's Bimmer was $150, programmed
They did it by the VIN

New key for Ford Exploder was $50, programmed
Catch was they cannot do it by the VIN (checked with 2 dealers)
Had to have vehicle towed to dealership as I had no key, so that
added another $60

Glad my '99 Miata has a good old fashioned key with no electronics
Replacement is about $3

[teahead]

Originally Posted by 2007

.....C. The clunk entering/departing parking lots may infact be a normal thing. Does this occur when you go over a speed bump at a speed of, let' say 10->15 mph? Just something to consider.


In a straight line over a bump such a speed bump - no, there is no noise. It happens when turning into lots that have a small drainage ditch thing or a small incline into the lot. It seems like some side-to-side makes the noise.

Mine does the same thing. My car only has 3k miles on it, but it's done that since it had 40miles on it.

[crusierdad76]

Originally Posted by 04stocker

New key for wife's Bimmer was $150, programmed
They did it by the VIN

New key for Ford Exploder was $50, programmed
Catch was they cannot do it by the VIN (checked with 2 dealers)
Had to have vehicle towed to dealership as I had no key, so that
added another $60

Glad my '99 Miata has a good old fashioned key with no electronics
Replacement is about $3

lost the key to my 2001 ford ranger had the dealer cut a new key using the vin it opened the door but would not start the truck???? $65 anyway

[95Tracker]

Originally Posted by teahead

Mine does the same thing. My car only has 3k miles on it, but it's done that since it had 40miles on it.

My 03 PT does the clunk thing when going into a parking lot. I discovered that the noise was the air dam hitting the pavement. I bought a key and two remotes for my car and paid $140. I only got one key with the car when I bought it.

[JolieCruiser]

In answer to the key question, I have a 2006 with the remote built into the key. I was going to have remote start added to my car a few weeks ago at Best Buy and needed a third key for them to put in the bypass box (for better words). The dealer quoted me around $180 or so for a new key programmed. I ended up buying a transponder key off ebay without the remote on the end as it was not needed for the remote start. $10 plus $6 shipping. Took it to a locksmith $1.50 to cut. I have 2 working keys so I programmed it per the owners manual and used it for 2 days to make sure it worked ok. It unlocked the doors, started the car. The only thing it doesn't do is if you set the alarm with the remote and then unlock the door with the key the alarm goes off. Otherwise it works fine. Also ebay has the new keys with the remote which the manual has the instructions for programming the remote too. But if you just need the key, they work. I just had problems with getting remote start put on as Best Buy couldn't get it to work past the security system no matter what they did so I'll have the dealer put it on soon.

[Cal Cruzer]

RE: The tire balance issue. When my car was new I had the same problem. The dealership balanced my tires several times and the problem was still there. I finally called Goodyear and they sent me to a tire store, paid for a knowledgable person to balance them and that took care of it. Other issues have come up over the 70K miles I have had the car (CV Joints, bearings, etc) that have causes similar problems but I never have the dealer balance tires.