2017 Ram 3500
Key Replacement - Save vs Dealer in Ventura County

Q: What exactly is an emergency key on a 2017 Ram 3500 fob?

It is the metal blade that lives inside the fob body. You release it by pressing a small button or slider on the fob housing and the blade pops out. It is there for manual door entry when the fob battery is dead or the fob is not being read by the truck. It operates the door lock cylinder directly.

Q: How long does the dealer process actually take for a Ram 3500 key replacement?

Longer than most owners expect. Dealers frequently have to order the fob, which adds days before programming even begins. Then there is scheduling the programming appointment itself. Forum accounts from Ram truck owners describe waits ranging from several days to over a week for what should be a simple replacement. If there is any complication, like a mismatch between what was ordered and what the truck needs, that wait stretches further.

Q: My 2017 Ram 3500 fob stopped being read by the truck but the battery is fine. What is going on?

A few things can cause this. The fob itself can wear out, especially on a work truck that lives in a tool bag or a damp cab. The internal components take a beating from vibration, moisture, and heat cycles. It is also worth checking whether the fob was exposed to water or chemicals, both common on job sites, because that can damage the board even when the battery still reads good voltage. Sometimes the issue is the fob.

Q: Can I use the emergency blade to start the truck if the fob stops working?

No. The blade is for the door lock cylinder only. Starting the truck still requires the fob to be recognized by the vehicle's security system. If the fob is not being read, the truck will not start regardless of whether you have the blade. The two functions are separate.

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Out in Sea Air, Oxnard, I got a call from an HVAC tech parked outside a taco shop on his lunch break. He had a 2017 Ram 3500, full work rig, and needed a spare key made. Not an emergency, just smart planning. He'd already called the dealer and heard a number that made him pause long enough to call a coworker, who passed him my number.

When I pulled up, he was leaning on the bed rail eating a burrito. The truck was loaded, ladders on the rack, the usual. He handed me the original fob and told me he'd been putting this off for months because he assumed the dealer was the only way to get it done right.

I had everything I needed in the van. Cut the blade to match his, enrolled the new key through the diagnostic port, and walked him through testing it, lock, unlock, the blade in the door, ignition cycle. The whole thing took about half an hour in the parking lot.

He looked at what I charged him, looked at what the dealer had quoted, and just nodded. Said he wished he'd called six months ago. I hear that a lot.

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Ram 3500 Mobile Service FAQ

Real costs, no dealer surprises

Do I have to go to the Ram dealer to get a replacement key for my 2017 Ram 3500?▼

No. A mobile locksmith with the right equipment can cut the blade and enroll a new key for your 2017 Ram 3500 wherever the truck is parked. The dealer is not the only option, and for a 2017 you do not need factory security-portal access the way some newer model years do. The dealer route means scheduling, possibly towing if you have no working key, and waiting while they order parts.