Looking for Alternatives to High Priced Dealer Key Fobs

[William_F]

The PT we're getting was a bank repo that the lot picked up at auction so they don't have the factory keys. The keys will be getting are generic keys that don't have the remote fob head.

I would really like to have at least one key with the RKE functions but those things are way expensive. Our local Chrysler dealer wants about $225 for key cutting & programming.

Are there alternatives to the high cost of going through Chrysler or do I have to just man up and fork over the cash?

[CREWZIN]

William,

See if this link helps. You'll have to find a remote first, maybe thru eBay.

New remote programming

[William_F]

Thanks. I saw the thread when I was looking around.

Am I understanding this correctly in that you have to have one fob already to program it yourself? I'll have two keys to work with, but no remotes. Am I going to have to go to the dealer for this?

I have found several fobs/ or keyed fob combos on ebay for a lot less than what the factory keys cost, so even if I have to pay the dealer for programming, I'd still save some cash, but would like to do it myself if possible.

[quicksilverdon]

Quite sure if you have no remotes, you need dealer to program... sorry...

[William_F]

Originally Posted by quicksilverdon

Quite sure if you have no remotes, you need dealer to program... sorry...

I guess I should call ahead and find out if they'll program fobs I supply first or if I have to buy from them. On the one hand, I'd like to have the original Chrysler key but at the same time I don't want to pay double for it if the generic can get the job done.

I'll let you know how it turns out....

[atlctuzr]

You are not gonna believe this, but you can get a key made for your PT at your local Home Depot. I was in one a few weeks ago and they will furnish and make a duplicate key for about $ 65, still steep but less than the stealership. You will have another key that will work without the key fob

If you find a good inexpensive answer to the key fob thing, let me know, I need another one too! Maybe try a local locksmith and see what they have.

[William_F]

Your HD must different offerings from ours. We tried to have just one of the sentry keys cut a few months back for our old PT and they couldn't because of the chip.

Did your HD cut a sentry key or was it a fob key?

[William_F]

Originally Posted by quicksilverdon

Quite sure if you have no remotes, you need dealer to program... sorry...

And they won't give a straight answer. They did say they'd program after market items but they won't guarantee they'll work and I still have to pay even if doesn't.

Wife and I talked about and decided I should just man up and shell out the cash rather than risk paying for something that might not work and end up spending more in the long run trying to save.