Have you had a chipped key go bad?

[B.G. Smith]

Started truck a few minutes ago and it started and ran a few seconds and died, second try, same results. Remembering the three strikes, you're out I stopped and went back in the house and got the original factory key and it started and runs fine. I was using an aftermarket key that I have used for several years when it quit. Do the chipped keys bg

 

[tjm]

Batteries might die

 

[Ozymandias]

Batteries might die

No battery's involved here.

Yes they can turn bad, but very rare.
Dropping a key, or to much heat can add to it.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Right this is just a chipped key.

No battery's involved here.

Yes they can turn bad, but very rare.
Dropping a key, or to much heat can add to it.

 

[tjm]

Hmmm must be RFID then?

 

[GrantP]

I had a similar experience. Note the "little red light on the dash" warning from sag2. https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/2006-5-9-no-start.267567/#post-2604271

 

[Ozymandias]

Hmmm must be RFID then?

Yes they work for around twenty years with this technology now.

 

[B.G. Smith]

I have been sitting around last few days with heating pad on my back..... Wonder if there could be EMF from that causing problem with key?

 

[tjm]

RFID chips power-up in the presence of a specific carrier frequency. Usually they're serial eeproms that contain data - keys, IDs, calibration data, bar codes that sort of thing.
serial eeproms typically have retention characteristics that exceed 20 years.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Thanks for al the responses, I discontinued the use of this key. It is possible that it is not a chipped key. If I find that to be true I will respond. bg

 

[SSage]

My original 2003 key still works, but I finally lost my second one and had to get a new spare made. $79.00 for a stupid key, I hate to know what the new truck keys cost. The Key FOB was $139.00 at Ace Hardware, the $79 was for a programed key and a thin spare wallet door key. I decided to buy an eBay fob special, two for $17.99 shipped. Hopefully they will work.

 

[Mikey-KE7LBB]

I had a factory "Sentry" key chip fail last week... I never even bothered to get it cut when I bought it lol!!!

I just programmed it with both factory fob keys (owners manual), dug out the chip, and simply glued it into the sensor ring...

Started just fine and ran for 3 seconds. Security light was flashing. I tried again and same thing happened... I figured the glue had cut loose after all this time, but it wasn't the case!!!

One start from one of the hideous factory key fob thingy was all I needed to get it running from the regular dummy key that's only supposed to open the door!!!

 

[sag2]

I just purchased a fob ($79) for the wife's 200 from keylessentryremote.com. I have purchased several keys and fobs over the years from them and all have worked perfectly. I can't say the same for two chip keys for my buddies Commander from Amazon. But for $9 for two keys I wasn't expecting much. They did refund my money no questions asked.

 

[SSage]

My old 2003 Ram uses the simple three button independent fobs, so the eBay $4.99 specials work fine. My local lumber yard is also an Ace Hardware and they cut the chipped sentry key for $79.99 including a regular thin metal "wallet" spare door key. The later key fob combo units started around $139.00. At least its cheaper than the dealer! So far the woman of the house only lost one key set for the 2003, so far. I don't think I've ever lost any keys, but I probably will now that I mentioned it...

 

[mfurrh55]

I bought 2 aftermarket key fobs off Amazon for 19.99, walmart cut them for 6.00, been couple years and still work on my 07

 

[Deathrowdave]

My 05 will start and run with a Hardware store key No CHIP , just a standard old style key

 

[jeff77indy]

I have a chipped key that the dealer made for me that won't unlock the door without setting the alarm off but will start and run the truck fine.

 

[Ozymandias]

That's a problem within the doors wiring as there is a micro switch built into the lock mechanism that disables the alarm opened with the key.

 

[Regcabguy]

My original 2003 key still works, but I finally lost my second one and had to get a new spare made. $79.00 for a stupid key, I hate to know what the new truck keys cost. The Key FOB was $139.00 at Ace Hardware, the $79 was for a programed key and a thin spare wallet door key. I decided to buy an eBay fob special, two for $17.99 shipped. Hopefully they will work.

My E-Bays are 16 yrs old. I keep one hidden under the truck and the other at home. I use the remote now. I originally wanted an ST to rid the truck of one more level of complexity but you couldn't get power seats in '06 without an SLT.

 

[GCroyle]

My 05 will start and run with a Hardware store key No CHIP , just a standard old style key

Looks like I'm same as Deathrowdave.

Just for info I just took my 2005 OE key (has 3 function separate not a key fob) to our local old school lock shop and asked if they could check it for ANY chip stuff. They put it on a machine (I couldn't see it) and he said, no chip.

Looks like these posts should all include the year of the truck not just 3rd gen cause the 2007 we had at work had a key with built on remote and we made a spare plain key. That plain key would not run the engine.