Question 1

How do I spot a fake locksmith before I get ripped off?

Accepted Answer

A few things give them away fast. If they quote you a number on the phone and then nearly triple it once they're standing at your car, that's the pattern. No marked vehicle, no physical business address, just a phone number that routes to a call center are all bad signs.

For a 2002 Dodge Caravan specifically, ask them before they drive out: do you carry a programmer that handles early 2000s Chrysler transponder enrollment? Can you cut the key blade on site? A real tech will answer both without hesitation. If they pause or dodge the question, keep looking. Showing up with a tool that can't complete the job leaves your van stranded mid-process, and that's a real thing that happens.

Question 2

What exactly is a transponder key and why can't I just copy it at a hardware store?

Accepted Answer

The key blade on your 2002 Caravan can be cut at a hardware store. That copy will turn in the ignition cylinder just fine. But it will not start the van.

There is a chip inside the plastic head of the key. When you turn the ignition, the vehicle's security system reads that chip. If it does not get the right response, the engine shuts down almost immediately after cranking. A hardware store copy has no chip at all, so the car reads it as unauthorized and kills the fuel or ignition. The programming step is what ties a new key's chip to your specific vehicle, and that requires professional equipment, not a key machine.

Question 3

What equipment do you actually use to program a Dodge Caravan key?

Accepted Answer

For a 2002 Caravan I'm working with a professional-grade transponder programmer that handles early Chrysler security protocols through the OBD port. No secured gateway access is needed on a vehicle this age; that layer came in much later on newer platforms. I also carry key blank inventory for these and a code cutter, so the whole job happens at your location. No tow, no dealer, no waiting.

Question 4

I have two working keys for my 2002 Caravan. Can I program a third one myself without a shop tool?

Accepted Answer

Yes, on this generation there is an onboard procedure that lets you add a key if you already have two working programmed keys in hand. You use both existing keys in a specific ignition sequence, then introduce the new unprogrammed key within a short window. The new key's transponder gets enrolled and the van will start with it.

The catch: you need a properly chipped key blank to start with, not just a cut key. And if you only have one working key, the onboard method is not available. One-key or all-keys-lost situations need a programmer. But if you genuinely have two good keys sitting in your hand, it is worth knowing the DIY path exists for this year before you call anyone.

Question 5

My 2002 Caravan cranks but dies immediately. Is that always the transponder?

Accepted Answer

Crank-and-stall is the classic sign the security system did not recognize the key. But it is not the only cause. A failed crankshaft position sensor can produce the same symptom. So can a fuel delivery problem.

The quick way to narrow it down: check whether the security indicator light on the dash stays lit or flashes after the stall. If it is indicating an issue, the key or its chip is the first place to look. If the light looks normal and you are getting crank-stall, start checking fuel pressure and the crank sensor before assuming it is a key programming problem. Getting that detail right before I arrive saves time and means I bring the right tools.

2002 Dodge Caravan
Key Replacement - Save vs Dealer in San Diego

BSIS Licensed | NASTF Certified

2002 Dodge Caravan
Key Options

Certified Mobile vs Dealer Service

2002 Dodge Caravan Transponder Key Replacement - Fast, Affordable & Professional

Save vs the Dealer on Your Dodge Caravan Key

Dodge Caravan Rapid Response, Done Right

Trusted by 100+ Dodge Drivers

Dodge Caravan Mobile Service FAQ

Dodge Caravan Key Service Areas

Professional 2002 Dodge Caravan Key Replacement

2002 Dodge CaravanKey Replacement - Save vs Dealer in San Diego

BSIS Licensed | NASTF Certified

2002 Dodge CaravanKey Options