What's a reasonable price to have a locksmith cut a key and program the chip (already programmed the remote myself). Got an offer for $145, wondering if I can do better. Washington, DC area FWIW. TIA!
There's two ways to make a key. Have a locksmith make a completely new key with a different signature that is programmed to work with the PCM. Now you have a different Key 1 and Key 2.
The second way to it clone the key you already have. The PCM will see both keys as Key 1, despite there actually being two keys.
The cloning is the far cheaper option, because you don't need an expensive computer to talk to the car.
I paid about $150 in NC for 2 keys to be cut and programmed to my Mazda 3 from a local locksmith. I had a single key and was able to do the remotes myself. So the price isn't too far off.
If you can tackle a simple DIY, you can also get a $12 immobilizer bypass and leave the original key (or just chip), google/Youtube. You can then freely make key copies.
Search for additional YouTube videos. The idea is the same for all mfg and not complex. Or, have an alarm shop install it, should be very easy for them, or get a cheap remote start alarm installed. Cost comparable to getting keys chipped at dealer.
Can you disable a car Immobilizer?How do you reset an engine immobilizer?How do I disable anti theft system?If you want to install a keyless system or remote...
Yes and no and some internet hearsay. General idea, yes should work. But I came across an internet comment that Ford/Mazda’s system can detect a pattern of the RFID chip not moving when it is close proximity to the cylinder after a series of restarts and may trigger anti theft