Ford Ka immobilised

graham chalk · 24-05-2011, 11:27

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** · 24-05-2011, 11:42

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 · 24-05-2011, 11:43

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** · 24-05-2011, 11:46

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..

heero_yuy · 24-05-2011, 11:50

You're probably best served by posting this query on a Ford specific forum. I know that with the later Rover 100s that the key (in this case the fob) the alarm/central locking and the engine ECU are a matched set and although they CAN be reprogrammed with the correct gear (Usually a lappy with an adaptor pod) and re-matched the often quicker and cheaper solution is to get a set from the scrappy and just swap them over.

**Kymmy** · 24-05-2011, 11:55

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 · 24-05-2011, 12:00

Quote:

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 ----------

Quote:

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

**Maggy J** · 24-05-2011, 12:38

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 · 24-05-2011, 12:48

Quote:

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 · 24-05-2011, 12:50

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

They could well cover lost keys.

graham chalk · 24-05-2011, 12:53

Quote:

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 ----------

Quote:

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** · 24-05-2011, 13:02

Quote:

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

heero_yuy · 24-05-2011, 13:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

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

In suggesting a set from the scrappy I'd rather overlooked the fact that in this case the remote is actually built inside the key. On my car it's a separate fob with a button on it. Changing all the lock barrels especially the steering lock would be a complete pain.

graham chalk · 24-05-2011, 14:17

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 · 24-05-2011, 14:33

Quote:

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.