FYSA regarding FDRS and key fob programming

[v8318cid]

In the event this isn't common knowledge yet, for those who may be curious about being able to program your own secondary key fobs using FDRS (Ford Diagnostics and Repair System), yes it is possible, but with a VERY BIG caveat. While the software is more than capable of programming fobs in less than two minutes (@breeves has a great video of this on YouTube), you either have to be using a dealership login in FDRS, or you have to have a paid membership from National Automotive Service Task Force, Vehicle Security Professional program. While the costs of this program aren't insurmountable ($75 app fee, then approx $300 for a two year membership), there is a requirement to maintain $1m in business insurance, which for the average shadetree mechanic, this just isn't feasible. Without either of those two items, the PATS module will not load.

I understand this from a security perspective as you wouldn't want just anyone to have the ability to program keys, but it does add yet another layer of insulation against the average Joe/Jane servicing their own equipment.

Oh, and FDRS is definitely not for the faint-of-heart. I may, or may not have had more than a few "pucker" moments while randomly executing tasks from the toolbox. PMI (programmable module installation), for example, works great...if you're actually swapping hardware... Probably not something you want to do just because. Gotta find some sort of manual, or training for this before I brick the car...

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[breeves002]

Here's my thread on it: https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/how-to-program-a-second-key-with-fdrs.9541/

Yeah you do need a dealer login. Find a friend that works at a dealer and has a Ford login and ask them to help you do it. ANY Ford employee that has an official Ford login and access to a module like sales, parts, service, whatever...generally have the ability to program PATS keys and access PTS.

I only recommend doing PMI for actually replacing a module. Doing the configuration if you want it to have the OEM Ford config for some reason is what makes sense in diagnosing.

 

[v8318cid]

Just glad it didn't have any negative effects. Mostly hit it out of curiosity, as well as trying to figure out why the APIM update will not run. Only update I have left, but also the only one that required a USB drive to complete. No errors. Just doesn't run. No idea why. (not fishing for help, BTW)

 

[Chuck]

In the event this isn't common knowledge yet, for those who may be curious about being able to program your own secondary key fobs using FDRS (Ford Diagnostics and Repair System), yes it is possible, but with a VERY BIG caveat. While the software is more than capable of programming fobs in less than two minutes (@breeves has a great video of this on YouTube), you either have to be using a dealership login in FDRS, or you have to have a paid membership from National Automotive Service Task Force, Vehicle Security Professional program. While the costs of this program aren't insurmountable ($75 app fee, then approx $300 for a two year membership), there is a requirement to maintain $1m in business insurance, which for the average shadetree mechanic, this just isn't feasible. Without either of those two items, the PATS module will not load.

I understand this from a security perspective as you wouldn't want just anyone to have the ability to program keys, but it does add yet another layer of insulation against the average Joe/Jane servicing their own equipment.

Oh, and FDRS is definitely not for the faint-of-heart. I may, or may not have had more than a few "pucker" moments while randomly executing tasks from the toolbox. PMI (programmable module installation), for example, works great...if you're actually swapping hardware... Probably not something you want to do just because. Gotta find some sort of manual, or training for this before I brick the car...

Hmmm. I was able to program a third FOB by myself without any issues. Works like a charm.

But I was NOT able to program a third FOB for my wife's 2015 Lincoln Navigator. I guess I'll have to take that to a professional. Can locksmiths do this?

 

[v8318cid]

Interesting. Were you using the FDRS, or FJRS to program the fob? If so, did you get a prompt to provide login credentials when loading the PATS module? Mine left nothing to the imagination with its warning about non-dealer credentials.

 

[Chuck]

Interesting. Were you using the FDRS, or FJRS to program the fob? If so, did you get a prompt to provide login credentials when loading the PATS module? Mine left nothing to the imagination with its warning about non-dealer credentials.

I just used the slot in the center console and used instructions found elsewhere on this forum.

 

[v8318cid]

Ah, ok. I had hoped there would be an alternative if you had existing keys (missing all keys, I can understand needing a programmer for that). Must have missed that thread.

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