1998 Ford Ranger
Key Replacement - Save vs Dealer in San Diego

1998 Ford Ranger Remote Replacement - Fast, Affordable & Professional

Here's what you're actually buying when you pay for a 1998 Ford Ranger key replacement. Three things. The physical key blank with the correct blade profile and remote housing. The precision cut on that blade so it matches your car's lock. And the transponder programming so the PATS system recognizes the new key and lets the engine start. The dealer charges $196 for those three things. I charge around $91.

A customer staying at a hotel in Coronado had her only Ford key stop working. She was on a trip, didn't know any local shops, and the dealer told her to tow it in. Earliest appointment was the next afternoon. Quote was $196 plus the tow.

I met her in the hotel parking lot that same evening. Her Remote uses a proximity system where the car detects the fob wirelessly. I connected through the OBD port and used my VVDI Key Tool to generate a new key matched to her car's immobilizer. Her fob, FCC ID CWTWB1U331, has 3 buttons including remote start. I had it working in about 20 minutes.

The blank costs me about $35. The cut is done on my machine in the van. The programming takes about 20 minutes through OBD. Her total was $91. The dealer was charging $196 for the same three things plus making her wait a day and arrange a tow. She thanked me twice and said she'd been dreading the idea of being stuck at the hotel without a car.

BSIS Licensed

LCO#6792

CA Bureau of Security & Investigative Services

NASTF Certified

National Automotive Service Task Force

Fully Insured

Liability & vehicle damage coverage

Google Guaranteed

Verified & backed by Google