1998 Ford Explorer
Key Replacement - We Come to You in Ventura County

Q: What is a transponder key?

A transponder key is the type of key your 1998 Ford Explorer uses. It contains a programmed chip that communicates with your vehicle's PATS immobilizer system to verify it is an authorized key before the engine will start. It also has 3 buttons for remote lock, unlock, and other functions depending on your trim level. Without proper programming, even a perfectly cut key will not start your Ford because the security system will reject it.

Q: Why does the dealer take so long on Ford keys?

Three bottlenecks. First, if the correct fob is not in stock, it has to be ordered by VIN and shipped, which can take days to weeks. One Maverick owner had to order the fob through the dealer and come back for a second visit for programming. Second, the service schedule itself. Ford dealers regularly report being booked three weeks out for general service, and key jobs compete with the same bays. Third, the PATS security process adds a mandatory 10 minute delay per key, and the dealer workflow wraps that in write-ups, dispatching, and parts runs. A job that takes us under an hour on your driveway becomes a multi-day event at the dealer.

Q: What is the FCC ID for the 1998 Ford Explorer key?

The FCC ID is CWTWB1U331. This is the identifier printed on the back of your key fob that tells us exactly which key your vehicle requires. It ensures we match the correct blank, chip frequency, and remote protocol so the key programs correctly on the first attempt. If you are comparing prices or shopping for a key online, the FCC ID is how you verify you are getting the right part for your specific Ford.

Q: Is same-day service available for all-keys-lost?

Yes. All-keys-lost on a Ford takes longer than a simple spare because the PATS system must be erased and at least two keys programmed before the vehicle will start. Total on-site time usually runs 30 to 60 minutes once we are connected. Compare that to the dealer route where true all-keys-lost means towing the car in, waiting for fobs to be ordered, and potentially sitting without your vehicle for days. We handle Ford AKL same-day, on site, with no towing required.

No Towing Required | We Bring the Shop

Available Wednesday

Transponder

Remote

With over 1,000 verified Google reviews and every major industry certification, EZ Car Keyz is the locksmith trusted by families, businesses, and fleet managers throughout the area.

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1998 Ford Explorer
Key Options

We bring everything to you, wherever you are

Remote

Pairs With Key

FCC IDCWTWB1U331Part #15K601 5350 9352 9138Buttons4BatteryCR2032Frequency315 MHzRemote StartNo

FCC IDCWTWB1U331Part #15K601 5330 9140Buttons3BatteryCR2032Frequency315 MHzRemote StartNo

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✓ In Stock · Programmed On-Site

Transponder Key

Cheaper

1998 Ford Explorer Transponder Key H72-PT

Key BlankH72-PTPart #H72-PT

✓ In Stock · Programmed On-Site

Mechanical Key

Budget

Surf Key

1998 Ford Explorer Mechanical Key Ford OEM Key 164-R0479

Key BlankFord OEM Key 164-R0479TypeEmergency BladePart #PART NUMBER: 164-R0479

Key BlankH75TypeEmergency Blade

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✓ In Stock · Cut On-Site

EZ Car Keyz technician holding a programmed car key

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Ford and Lincoln share the same PATS platforms. An Explorer and an Aviator, or an Expedition and a Navigator, use the same immobilizer architecture. However, the parameter reset path can differ between Ford and Lincoln even on the same platform, so do not assume identical procedures.

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Ford Explorer Key Today vs Next Thursday

Our timeline vs dealer timeline

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Dealership

Average Cost

✓ $$

✕ $$$$

Location

✓ We come to you

✕ You drive there

Wait Time

✓ 20-45 min

✕ 2-5 days

Same-Day

✓ Yes

✕ Rarely

All Keys Lost

✓ No problem

✕ Tow required

OEM Quality

✓ Yes

EZ Car Keyz wins 5 out of 6

Same-day service vs dealer wait times

Rapid Service (805) 790-8162

1998 Ford Explorer Transponder key Replacement - Fast, Affordable & Professional

I come to your GPS pin. You drop a pin where the car is, I drive to that pin, and the job happens wherever the 1998 Ford Explorer is sitting. Parking lot, driveway, roadside, dirt lot. The car doesn't move.

A hiker near Lake Casitas Recreation Area learned this the useful way. He was at a trailhead about 20 minutes outside town and his Ford key had fallen out of his pocket somewhere on the trail. There was no dealer within 30 miles, no locksmith shop nearby, and his car wasn't going anywhere without a key.

He texted me his GPS pin. I drove out with everything needed for his Explorer already in the van. I used my ACDP to back up his immobilizer data as a precaution, then decoded the lock and cut a fresh key on-site. His smart key, FCC ID , was a -button proximity fob with an HU101 emergency blade inside that I built from scratch at the trailhead.

His car started in that dirt lot, same spot it had been parked all morning. Total was around 91. A dealer would have charged 196 plus a tow from a location no flatbed could easily reach. He seemed pretty amazed the whole thing could happen at a trailhead.

Skip the Dealer, We Drive to You

Your car stays where it is. We drive to you with all the tools and key blanks on board.

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BSIS Licensed

LCO#6792

CA Bureau of Security & Investigative Services

NASTF Certified

National Automotive Service Task Force

Fully Insured

Liability & vehicle damage coverage

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Real Ford Explorer Credentials, Real Work

Professional service you can trust

1998 Ford Explorer

Transponder key | Guaranteed Work

10-15 min

Trusted Speed

Available Today

Ventura

Certified Area

805 Area

Call Experts (805) 790-8162

Ford Customers Love the Convenience

What doorstep service looks like in reviews

A

Alexx C.

Dec 2025

★★★★★

“I needed a car key replacement in Hillcrest and EZ Car Keyz helped me immediately. The technician programmed a new smart key right next to my car and tested every function before leaving. Fast, friendly, and very professional.”

Google Review

C

Christopher H.

Sep 2025

★★★★★

“He arrived within 30 minutes and had everything finished in another 30 minutes for two cars. Everything was programmed and tested perfectly. Cheapest price in town and very honest service.”

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D

Diya M.

Jan 2025

★★★★★

“Fast, affordable, and a great price. Marco did an amazing job and made a key for our Nissan Kicks quickly and professionally. Everything worked perfectly.”

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EZ Car Keyz technician with satisfied customer

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1998 Ford Explorer Same-Day Service FAQ

Money questions, straight answers

How long does the Ford dealer take for key replacement?▼

A Ford dealer tech says the actual programming takes about 30 to 60 minutes once the car is in the bay. But getting to that point is the delay. Owners report three to four week waits for appointments, blanks that have to be ordered and shipped, and cars sitting at the dealer for days. One Ford owner had their vehicle held for five days for what should have been a simple programming job. A Bronco owner spent an hour and a half at the dealer just to get a spare fob cut. With us, the whole process is same-day at your location.

What is a transponder key?▼

Why does the dealer take so long on Ford keys?▼

What is the FCC ID for the 1998 Ford Explorer key?▼

Is same-day service available for all-keys-lost?▼

Questions? Call (805) 790-8162