Immobiliser

[Guest jward1980]

Hi, yesterday we bought a galaxy, R reg, my wife tried to drive off in it today and couldn't get it going, she seemed to think it was the immobiliser, do you have to disarm it first? If so, how do you do it? We have the key and the lights flash when you open the door.

 

Cheers

[Guest fredt]

The immobiliser AKA. PAT's is controlled by a chip in the key's body, you dont have to do anything apart from stick the key in the ignition barrel and turn it

when you say the lights flash when you open the doors, is this when you are unlocking using the remote buttons on the key? or just by turning the key in the lock?

[Guest jward1980]

Hi Fred, jost got home, after reading the manual I have realised that there seems to be a problem with the kay, the light on the drivers side door flashes continuously when you switch the key to the II position, according to the manual this means that there is a problem with the code on the key, odd though as it was working yesterday

[Guest jward1980]

Is a Ford dealership the only place I can go to get the key re-programmed if it is that? Only problem being we didn't get given the red key when we bought it, just spoke to the dealer and they said that they didn't have it either. <_<

[Guest fredt]

Having the red key would make the job easier and cheaper! you either need two working keys that are recognised by the PAT's system or connecting up to Fords diagnostic machine and having the keys programmed into the system via that

if you have to go to the dealers to get it done, have them program in a new red master key and stash it somewhere safe, I should really get one done for my Galaxy!

 

another thing, you dont have a mobile phone mast or such like near where you have parked? these are known on the odd occassion to block the signal! or have you a great big bunch of keys on the same key ring? again these can block the signal!

[iainkirk]

I'm sure (current) Galaxies don't have a red key anyway. Red keys are for "real" Ford cars only. Galaxies come with one microchip key, one ordinary key and one plastic template key to get a new one cut from.

 

OK, 2004 Galaxies Ghias have two microchip keys, but apart from that, I think I'm correct????

[johnb80]

My Gal came with one REMOTE key one NON REMOTE key and a plastic template, all the keys do however have the chip inside to enable them to be used.

 

The GAL not starting with a key proble is the responsibilty of the supplying dealer because clearly it was 'not of merchantable quality' obviously you would expect the vehicle to be serviceable for longer than one day. Go back to the garage and ask them what they intend to do about it, if they're not willing, phone call to tading standards followed by Ford Dealer, get it sorted, send them the bill followed by small claims court if need be (dead easy, don't worry about it, it's a very simple process).

 

 

Regards - JB

[iainkirk]

errr...that's what I meant to say!

[Guest nelse]

And make sure they give at least one and preferably two spare keys,giving you three in total, one to keep safely at home, the other a spare to carry with you, that way if you ever lose a key at least you can get another cut and code it yourself.

[Guest jward1980]

Just spoken to the local ford dealership who want to charge me

[Guest jward1980]

Oh by the way, the car was 'Sold as seen'

[Richmond]

Oh by the way, the car was 'Sold as seen'

That means nothing, and cannot be used as an excuse for selling unsatisfactory goods. I would be very suspicious of any dealer offering cars (or anything else) for sale on that basis; it smacks of a lack of professionalism. Anyway, no decent dealer would quibble about sorting out a problem which arose within 24 hours of purchase, 'sold as seen' or not. If you do use a dealer, you might want to use a different one.

[Guest nelse]

Phone your local trading standards, I'm sure they will give you the same advice as most here will, that the dealer really should sort this out, and if the dealer gets difficult, you will know exactly were you stand and will be able to quote trading stadards to them. Usually works and if not, trading standards will usually help you fight your corner.

 

IMO they really should have supplied at least two keys to start with, especially since with todays security measures it's not so simple to replace a lost key as it once was, i only recieved one and the dealer had no problem supplying spares free of charge.

[Guest jward1980]

Hi, yeah I think trading standards will be the way to go, I have spoken to the dealership, or vehicle consultants as they call themselves, they sell cars that have been re-possesed for credit agencies and the like, they said oh take it to the Ford dealer, and if we can't get it started get direct line out to sort it out, thanks for the help guys, much appreciated

[Guest fredt]

MK1's up to 1998 came with one red master key, a torch key, a standard key or a remote locking key if specced with remote locking, after 98 the red master key was replaced with a standard black key

pre 98 the red key is required to program other keys into the system or if a new master key is required then that is programmed into the system using the diagnostic machine and all keys reprogrammed in as well to match

post 98 cars need only two keys recognised by the system to program in a new key, IIRC because each key has its own code you cant as trick the system into reprograming a new key by using the same key twice to start the reprogramming proccess

[suzuki91]

i have said it before, i got a mobile locksmith to do mine. he read the key i had and programmed the new key from that. he also has a hand held computer to sort out the car. he will travel long distance and i believe he is based in the peterborough area. i have the number if anyone wants it?