Ford Ka immobilised

[graham chalk]

I have a ford Ka2 , 1997 registration.
I went for a (long) walk in the local forest (Hamsterley, ironically on my birthday) and lost the only set of keys.
I walked back to retrace my steps twice- no keys-nightmare
I posted some notes on the fenceposts on the way I took, asking if anyone found them to let me know-nothing-contacted the police-nothing
I assumed it wouldn’t be too complicated a job (well the last time I had this sort of problem cars didn’t have immobilisers….) to get the car started somehow.
So I called the mechanic out.
He couldn’t start the car, and said it was down to the “chip in the ke”y and some other stuff that I hadn’t a chance of understanding.
Car is now towed back home, dead.
Whilst I understand that answering this kind of question on an open forum wouldn’t be wise, would there be any chance someone could email me with some sort of suggestion about what to do next?
Do I really have to scrap the car because I lost the ignition key?
Having been made redundant I don’t have a lot of money to play with on solving this one (read that as NO money to solve this one )
Ford said they can sort it out. For £450. (The car cost £250….)
Would anyone out there care to save my life?

[Kymmy]

There will be a method of programming the car to a new key, you do though need to get a new key which is where Ford comes into the equation especially as you have no original to copy.

Sorry but I have to ask why you didn't get a spare key cut in the first place??

[joglynne]

Whilst you are waiting to see if one of our members can help you may want to have a browse over at the Ford Owners Club Forums as they have a section devoted to the KA. I was having a weird electrical window problem with my Focus and the help I got from the Club members was outstanding.

http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums...hp?showforum=3

Oh and Welcome to the Forums Graham.

[Kymmy]

PS.. you can not bypass the immobiliser as it is part of the ECU, you could though replace the ECU with a 3rd party one but that would be about twice the price of a new key from Ford..

[Kymmy]

Looks like this will be the very cheapest option

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ford-KA-2008-I...item19c076f798

Surprised they're offering the service at that low a price. Still though needs you to be mechanically compotent in removing the unit and at least one key barrel

[graham chalk]

Originally Posted by Kymmy

There will be a method of programming the car to a new key, you do though need to get a new key which is where Ford comes into the equation especially as you have no original to copy.

Sorry but I have to ask why you didn't get a spare key cut in the first place??

that would be because I'm an idiot

---------- Post added at 11:00 ---------- Previous post was at 10:59 ----------

Originally Posted by joglynne

Whilst you are waiting to see if one of our members can help you may want to have a browse over at the Ford Owners Club Forums as they have a section devoted to the KA. I was having a weird electrical window problem with my Focus and the help I got from the Club members was outstanding.

http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums...hp?showforum=3

Oh and Welcome to the Forums Graham.

thanks. willdo

I share your pain.

I once locked my only set of keys in my old Nisson and the problems I had getting sorted out cost me too.

[graham chalk]

Originally Posted by Maggy J

I share your pain.

I once locked my only set of keys in my old Nisson and the problems I had getting sorted out cost me too.

It gets worse.
I just realised I didn't spell "immobilised" right

[Julian]

I don't suppose you have comprehensive insurance do you?

They could well cover lost keys.

[graham chalk]

Originally Posted by Kymmy

PS.. you can not bypass the immobiliser as it is part of the ECU, you could though replace the ECU with a 3rd party one but that would be about twice the price of a new key from Ford..

howz about I get another ECU thingy & a matched key from the scrapyard?
will this work?

---------- Post added at 11:53 ---------- Previous post was at 11:51 ----------

Originally Posted by Julian

I don't suppose you have comprehensive insurance do you?

They could well cover lost keys.

unfortunately not. usually yes. as luck would have it, not this time...

[Kymmy]

Originally Posted by graham chalk

howz about I get another ECU thingy & a matched key from the scrapyard?
will this work?..

Yes but more than likely to cost the same or more as well as the time/effort to replace all the lock barrels

[graham chalk]

keys found! handed in to Hamsterly forest visitors centre!!
however mechanic says we need a "lock set as he buggered the black box when trying to start it"
haven't a clue what this means but I think it's generally good news.....
ty for everyone's help!!!

[joglynne]

Originally Posted by graham chalk

keys found! handed in to Hamsterly forest visitors centre!!
however mechanic says we need a "lock set as he buggered the black box when trying to start it"
haven't a clue what this means but I think it's generally good news.....
ty for everyone's help!!!

You are one lucky man.

Glad to hear you are at least part way sorted. Let us know how you get on. We are an unashamedly nosey lot on here and like to hear how problems finally get sorted.

[ZrByte]

Originally Posted by Kymmy

There will be a method of programming the car to a new key, you do though need to get a new key which is where Ford comes into the equation especially as you have no original to copy.

Sorry but I have to ask why you didn't get a spare key cut in the first place??

Its not always that simple as some cars have special procedures to add a new key. I have just such a problem with my focus. It only came with one key and though six in total can be programmed you need two functioning keys to do it. So the only reason for me to have another key cut would be for if I locked my key inside the car as it would only unlock and not start the car.

[mr_bo]

Where are you with this?

I don't get what the mechanic is saying, need a new lock set as the black box is buggered? If you ordered a lock set it doesn't come with a black box, is he someone whose services you've employed?

Have you tried the retrieved key? If the sole remaing key works and is the master key (red) you can add subsequent keys without the need of a ford main dealer to a max of 5 before the ecu will accept no more. If you don't have the master key and the one you got works ok then I'd expect to pay around £80 ish for a ford main dealer to supply and code a new spare key. It's simply a case of programming with ford diagnostic system (FDS or WDS) and is not labour intensive.

First you need to try the retrieved key and see where you are.