fooling the PATS

poomwah · Oct 2, 2010

I have only one key and don't want to drop the cash the dealer wants for spares. Would it be possible to hide a key inside the column (wire tie, double face tape, etc) and then use a non chipped key? I've heard of this being done by some shops that install remote starters on VW's
any thoughts, stories, warnings???

CanaryGT · Oct 2, 2010

Are you talking about wiring up the key in a bypass module like when we do remote starts.... I guess that would work.

poomwah · Oct 2, 2010

I don't have the knowledge or skill to do any kind of bypass. I was talking about a glorified key holder hidden under the plastic trim on the column

ttocs · Oct 2, 2010

you should be able to tie the key up to the steering colum next to the cylinder and get the other one to work if I am not mistaken. The problem being that you will loose one key and it isn't always recomended to loose it IN the car where a theif can find it....

poomwah · Oct 2, 2010

I don't mind giving up a key if I can use normal keys as a result, as ridiculously cheap as it is to get regular keys made.
as far as the potential theif thing, I could cut the metal part off of the key so if found, it couldn't be used to start the car.

ttocs · Oct 2, 2010

you can test it with the other key. Try holding the coded key around the cylinder while you try the uncoded key.

poomwah · Oct 2, 2010

I was afraid to try it because someone told me that if you try to start it with an uncoded key that it will disable the vehicle and it can only be reset by a dealer

ttocs · Oct 2, 2010

never heard that, canary can back me up but I am fairly sure that it will just not start or keep running. Once the other key is back in all should be back to normal.

You will probably need to try a couple of different locations to get it to work. They are real touchy and can be a PIA...

poomwah · Oct 2, 2010

figures, it was a dealer that told me that, he was probably just trying to get me to buy a key

CanaryGT · Oct 3, 2010

Scotts right. But couldnt he just use a PKALL or something?

JiMi_DRiX · Oct 3, 2010

poomwah said:
figures, it was a dealer that told me that, he was probably just trying to get me to buy a key

probably. If you use a non-coded key, it just wont start. You can put the other key in and everything work fine. It happens all the time with trade ins that have all their keys on one ring. Sometimes you grab the wrong key and it wont start.. until you realize its a spare/uncoded key.
I dont think the coded key works unless its IN the ignition though.

poomwah · Oct 3, 2010

CanaryGT said:
Scotts right. But couldnt he just use a PKALL or something?

PKALL?

Mustanger · Oct 3, 2010

Just go to ebay & buy a PATS key there! I just bought OEM Ford Pats keys for $12 ea since my wife lost hers.The non Ford keys are way less $5 or so but I wanted only OEM. My local dealer wanted $35-50 bucks plus $50 bucks programming!! I programmed them myself for free!

poomwah · Oct 3, 2010

don't you need more than one programmed key in order to program a new key yourself?

dklimek · Oct 10, 2010

If you get your car tuned they can turn it off. I have a SCT and had mine mess up, so I took my handheld to my tuner and he updated the tune for free.