Ford keys

[JasonACT]

3 years into owning my FG2 I compared my key to a mate at work who bought one as well a week after me (he's a member here, so no names) and his key was looking very tired. The mechanism was loose and the button surface was very warped.

Recently I noticed that mine was now quite warped (but not really loose). Always keeping an eye on eBay, a nice looking one (ad. said found in filing cabinet) came up for $40 and I bought it, swapped the inside electronics, put in a new battery, attached my top key part when reassembling the two halves, and am enjoying the "new car" feeling again...





Left: My old key - 8 years of abuse.
Middle: My new purchase - pretty happy with it.
Right: My original spare - used only a handful of times.

Based on seeing the other fella's 3 year old key, and possibly me not remembering how other keys have looked from my other new cars before I sold them, do these ones wear poorly? Or is it my imagination?

[JasonACT]

Well, maybe I've got my answer... Google images shows 3 of my old cars having:

2 with: Soft rubber buttons, large & rectangular, but joined/sealed to the housing
1 with: Hard plastic buttons, small and round, not "sealed" to the housing

I'd describe these Ford keys as thin plastic or thin hard-rubber, sealed to the housing.

Not the best keys then. Oh well, should last another 8 years.

[bb_zetec]

Funny you mention Keys mate....my wife's Suzuki Grand Vitara is a 2011 Model and just last week the Main Key tactile buttons failed on the transponder chip.

The rubber and casing are still going strong but the unlock key has visibly warn down on the rubber.

The spare (now main) key is still brand new except for the few times we used it.

With my FG the original key has slight wear (got it when it was 5 years old) but i got a new spare made from Ford and use that day to day...so after 3 years the wear is not too bad at all. But i only have about 103,000 kays on it so not always driven.

[.:4:.]

Go to supercheap, you can get new cases, or if need be new remotes in cases. New remotes need to be programmed, but its not rocket surgery.

[Magna]

You can also get replacement rubber pads, most have a picture of a car with the boot open rather than the 2X as above.

[JasonACT]

Yeah fellas, I didn't want the picture of a car. You're right Magna, most of them have that.

So I ordered these a month ago, and they arrived today: (the listing is closed, but they still sell them)

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/5pcs-Met...s/153676554529

I was worried that the pictures showed a slightly different outline, but they fit perfectly...







Don't try and split apart the key part, you will only break it. You only need to get the pin out just enough which holds the key in place.

I think I'll get it cut tomorrow and have a third key.

[Citroënbender]

I reckon Ben from “keysinthepost” could cut a match to your keys from that photo.

[JasonACT]

That would be an impressive feat. Even if "my" key pattern were shown in any of these photos!

[marty351]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

I reckon Ben from “keysinthepost” could cut a match to your keys from that photo.

I already decoded the cuts before reading this post.
Any locksmith worth their weight should be able to do this. 5 depths x 10 spaces? IIRC.

True test is a toothpick from an old VN-VY/Z. 9 depths x 10 spaces.

[prydey]

Wearing out keys is something most new car owners won't experience, with proximity keys now becoming very mainstream. Don't even need to leave your pocket or handbag.