Help!! My key broke and the car won't start.

HyeLifeLS

HyeLifeLS

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About 30 minutes ago I discovered that the black part of the key of my LS broke. So, when I got to my car and tried to start it, nothing, the engine doesn't start, that damn PATs or something, that thing is going on.

Anyways, I have my car parked on the street somewhere, tomorrow is sunday, no help from the dealer. I have only one key, which broke.

Any ideas? How much will it cost to get a new key? Do I have to take the car to the dealer or they can do it without the car?

Thanks.
 
You have to take it to the dealer. They have to program the keys into your car's computer, and it's kind of hard for them to do that without the car being present. ;) Have the dealer program two keys, then buy yourself a third blank from some place less expensive. Have a locksmith or Home Depot cut it for you and use the two dealer keys to program the third so you won't have to go through this again...
 
Thanks man, that's what I was thinking too, but I really don't wanna get my car on a tow truck. Any idea if dealer can fix it on sunday? I think their service is closed on sundays.
 
They can, but they probably won't--they'll have to open the service center, because they'll need access to one of the diagnostic machines to do the programming. It couldn't hurt to ask though; they might actually be prepared to handle this sort of request.

If not, you're probably way screwed, since Monday's a holiday...

When you tow it, make sure they send a flat-bed. The Owner's Manual lists the types of wreckers that you must avoid, but the flat-bed's the only one I recall that is OK.

You could contact a local locksmith; you might be able to find one with the equipment to program the key...
 
One thing...if you still have the black part of the key, you might try keeping it near the ignition switch and seeing if the car will start. The PATS system uses RF technology, so if the key's RFID chip is close enough, it might still work.

That would at least save you from having to get the car towed--and from being without it for two days...
 
SoonerLS said:
One thing...if you still have the black part of the key, you might try keeping it near the ignition switch and seeing if the car will start. The PATS system uses RF technology, so if the key's RFID chip is close enough, it might still work.

That would at least save you from having to get the car towed--and from being without it for two days...
Click to expand...



yeah try taping it right on the lock area.its worth a try


Transponder - Key based security - A transponder is a benign electronic device implanted
in the head of a key which remains dormant until awakened by energy derived from its
close proximity to an induction coil/antenna at the threshold of a vehicle’s ignition lock.
When a transponder becomes energized by the ignition lock being turned ON, it transmits
a unique alfa/numeric identity code back to the antenna coil and the on-board computer -
for comparison with values stored in the computer’s memory. If the RF transmission from
the transponder is an exact match then the engine can be started.
 
If you have to tow it call LIncoln...
Although I never used it, LINCOLN has their own roadside assistance for all LINCOLN cars. I have the info in my glove compartment. It says:
24-hour Roadside Assistance
Lincoln owners receive emergency Roadside Assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. SHould your vehicle need towing, jump-starting, lock-out service, gas delivery, a tire change or other roadside services, a phone call to our hotline will bring assistance, usually within 45 minutes.

Give them a try....just dont tell them the cars been sitting there for a while...they have to think it just happened...otherwise it's not an "emergency"..

Good Luck!
 
putting the transponder next to the key cylinder will work, i know this becouse i used to install remote start up and alarm system and when i get a car that has the PATS system or anything similar we ask the owner for a spare key and we take out the transponder from the key and we install it inside the plastic were the key cylender is locad so the remote started to work -- personaly i wouldnt do that to MY LS but some peaple like to have the feature even though they just screwed up their security system.. give it a try it will work.
 
cableguynoe said:
If you have to tow it call LIncoln...
Although I never used it, LINCOLN has their own roadside assistance for all LINCOLN cars. I have the info in my glove compartment. It says:
24-hour Roadside Assistance
Lincoln owners receive emergency Roadside Assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. SHould your vehicle need towing, jump-starting, lock-out service, gas delivery, a tire change or other roadside services, a phone call to our hotline will bring assistance, usually within 45 minutes.

Give them a try....just dont tell them the cars been sitting there for a while...they have to think it just happened...otherwise it's not an "emergency"..

Good Luck!
Click to expand...

I think that program applies to owners of new vehicles, not if you bought the car used.
 
ToddG said:
I think that program applies to owners of new vehicles, not if you bought the car used.
Click to expand...
I'm fairly certain that it's also good for the owners of a used Lincoln if the car's still under the years/mileage of the Lincoln Roadside Assistance program.

I had to use it once, right after I got the car (used), when I had the intermittent no-start problem, but I'mnot sure if that's because it was still covered under Roadside Assistance, or it if was because the dealership told me to call them...
 
Thansk guys, I am gonna go to my car now to try it. Also my car now has 102000 miles on it, I don't think that the Roadside assistance would do anything to it for free.
 
hey bro,

I've had my car towed afew times to the dealer, just make sure you request a flat bed, it doesn't cost more. The dealerships around here are run like a nazi camp only two days off a year, Thanksgiving and Christmas. You might have luck getting it fixed tomorrow.
 
No more tow trucks.. I glued the key plastics back together and the car started, so I drove it to the dealer and left it next to it until they open tomorrow. The car starts fine, I just don't wanna risk and bring it home then have it towed to the dealer.

Thanks for your help people, I will let you know how much it will cost me.
 
Since your key works, just buy one from the dealer. Buy a cheaper key somewhere else, get it cut at Home Depot, and use your broken key and the dealer-cut key to program the new one. It'll probably save you a significant amount of money...
 
I think the second key doesn't make much of a difference. I heard that the first key is $175, but two keys are about $200 or something. I'll find out tomorrow.
 
My car came with both keys, but from what I've heard form those who've bought them, the dealerships normally want north of $100 per key.
 
i just paid $50 to get another key made. it's all the dealership because the one dealership wanted $80 to program one key while the other dealership only wanted $50
 
They own the computer, so they could charge you even less. Though they never do will. Keys are not cheap either.

Had the same issue with my 98 SHO. So when I purchased my LS I made sure they threw in extra key.
 
The dealer quoted me $150 for 2 new keys, I am going there now to get em made.
 
They are not platinum, they are just gold. I got 2 new keys and payed $143.66 tax included.
01lssport said:
Damn that's a lot for just two keys. Are they platinum?
Click to expand...
 
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