Two questions. Help please :)

[TangerineDream76]

Hello, so, question #1: Not sure if '06-'10 are the same, BUT for '01-'05, to remove the steering wheel, one must remove the airbag by disengaging two metal clips from behind the hub. HOW is this done without damaging these metal clips? They are super strong and I have no idea how they are supposed to be disengaged. WHAT is the procedure??

Question #2: PT has the gray Sentry Key, and I only have one. The dealership of course wants about $75 for the key blank and another $75 to program it, along with an hour and a half time, haha!! Are there any other options to get one of these keys that people are familiar with? Would much appreciate the info on both these questions. Thanks!!!

[rckstein]

See post #25 in this thread for the steering wheel removal:

'05 Convertible "Retro" rebuild thread

And this thread for some additional info:

steering wheel removal

[TangerineDream76]

Originally Posted by rckstein

See post #25 in this thread for the steering wheel removal:

'05 Convertible "Retro" rebuild thread

And this thread for some additional info:

steering wheel removal

This is all I had come up with so far too, and I have tried and failed, haha!! Getting those damn clips to just separate is near impossible, and I don't want to bend or damage them, as they hold an explosive device securely in front of my face, haha!! I was hoping there was some other trick but I guess I will just have to keep at it. Thank you for the response though.

As for the Sentry Key, I do know about the "hiding the key in the column and using a standard key" trick and don't want to do that. Just hoping someone knows a cheaper way to get another Sentry Key made. I did not come up with anything in my search here, the search function on this site brings up the weirdest unrelated things, haha!!!

[Renegade]

Find a locksmith who can make the key. One near me quoted $80 for both the key and the programming.

[TangerineDream76]

Originally Posted by Renegade

Find a locksmith who can make the key. One near me quoted $80 for both the key and the programming.

So a regular locksmith CAN have access to these style keys AND the technology to program them? It's not something Chrysler dealerships have a monopoly on?

[Renegade]

Originally Posted by TangerineDream76

So a regular locksmith CAN have access to these style keys AND the technology to program them? It's not something Chrysler dealerships have a monopoly on?

The locksmith I asked about it said he needed to check to see if he could program it. He used some kind of reader to do that and it came up positive. I never actually got it done though. I was there getting a different key made and just asked out of curiosity. I should though, since I only have the one key.

Ask around.

[TangerineDream76]

Originally Posted by Renegade

The locksmith I asked about it said he needed to check to see if he could program it. He used some kind of reader to do that and it came up positive. I never actually got it done though. I was there getting a different key made and just asked out of curiosity. I should though, since I only have the one key.

Ask around.

Okay, this is at least promising, thank you. I will start here!!

[myckee]

You have a few options if you want to have a spare key and don't wish to pay the dealer. In no order of preference:

1) Get a clone of your key made at Walmart or other locksmith. They have a reader which will program your key's code to a new blank and then cut it as well. Since it is a clone, you can't now use your existing key and the new clone to access the programming feature to program additional new keys yourself. You need two unique keys for this and since you have two keys made from 1, they won't work for that. However, you will have two working keys to open and run the car.

2) As previously mentioned, go to a locksmith and have them use their tools to make you a new key. Not all will have the ability/tools for this, but some do. You may need to go to the Dealer with proof of ownership to get the SKIM code, so they can access the program function and program a new unique key. Some locksmiths may be able to get around the SKIM code requirement, and others will need it. I think the dealer will give this to you for free if you show them proof of ownership.

3) Buy a quality chip key blank on ebay for ~$10 shipped. I bought one made by Strattec and it is a quality blank. Beware of some of the uber cheap ones imported from overseas. Often those ones are junk. Again, get your SKIM code from the dealer. Then you can take your blank and code to a mechanic with a higher end scanner and be able to program it. You could take this blank and code to a locksmith too and pay only for programming instead of for both programming and a marked up blank. You can also buy your own T300 key programmer too for ~$140 on ebay and do it yourself (too expensive for a tool you would likely use only once).

4) Go to the dealer and get it all done.

[chuzz]

There's another option. Get a couple of regular keys made anywhere that cuts car keys (Walmart). Then take your original key and after you remove the steering column plastic, zip tie your key to the SKIM module. Put the column cover back on and now you can have as many keys as you like to operate your car. I have 3 Walmart keys and they all work great. Total cost? About $6.00 and 15 minutes of my time.

[vermontpetey]

Originally Posted by TangerineDream76

This is all I had come up with so far too, and I have tried and failed, haha!! Getting those damn clips to just separate is near impossible, and I don't want to bend or damage them, as they hold an explosive device securely in front of my face, haha!! I was hoping there was some other trick but I guess I will just have to keep at it. Thank you for the response though.

I just did this last weekend, and it definitely was harder than it ought to be. I ended up pulling one end of the clip out of the steering wheel, then applying pressure on the other side. This did bend the clips slightly, but they were easy to straighten once I had the wheel out.

I replaced my wheel, and there was a $150 core charge, so that kept me pretty motivated... I wouldn't be afraid to bend the clips if need be. FYI - I actually found that getting the airbag back in was the harder part. I had to install and remove the wheel a few times before I could get the clips to lock in place. This was largely because of the added leather wrap on the new wheel though...

Good luck!