I digress and want to respond to a few of you . . .
Mr. Thomas -- I feel like you really got this discussion going and I am grateful for your participation. I apologize for the "$85" comment, it was the whining of a spendthrift. If anything, I now feel once again that when you need something done, you need to have it done by a professional. Unless you are willing to spend the time to learn and buy the equipment, you should not "grumble" that the professional needs to be paid for their knowledge and experience (just as I expect from my employer). I will say I am a bit confused by the "token" you need to buy, but I am going to assume it has to do with using your programmer to make a key (but I am not sure).
Oh and I was NOT offended by your message, I took it as it was intended (someone proud of their profession and a little bit insulted, as you should have been by my in-thoughtful comment).
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Gordon -- As you have read, I agree with you and with the rest of the information I have read about the key/vehicle programming process I am ready to pay (just not to my neighborhood dealer whom I do not like)!
I am also now more convinced that I will not find a "cheap" programmer that will work and I don't want to spend that much to "satisfy" my curiosity. It is a tool I would probably only use once in any event.-------------------------
Mseifert -- I also originally thought that by having the "pre-cut" key that I would also "escape" with a cheaper locksmith visit. My mistake was thinking that the quote from the dealership was the "final answer". I think someone quoted me $65 a few months ago and I should have driven to him that day!
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Itdbjd -- I saved you for last because I was so impressed by your deep and thorough answers. As an engineer I was enthralled and enjoyed learning how the key programming process works. I had (as you said), figured out a lot of it but I think you filled in all the blanks. Yes I have a key "A", I lost key "B" in an airport shuttle bus about two years ago. I have been back there multiple times sorting through their lost and found to no avail. I don't expect anyone will ever start my truck using it!
So, I saw in my owner's manual that (had I found it earlier before I lost key "B") I could have programed a 3rd key if I had "A" and "B". I bought two new keys with the thought that I could get a locksmith to "re-create" key "B" and/or program a new key "C" into my truck. Then I wanted to use the procedure (in the manual) to program key "D" (the other key I bought) into the truck. Then if I ever lost a key in the future I could make a 3rd one myself.
Part of the problem is that I really didn't know what to ask for and I DID NOT WANT A CLONE. Most of the "cheap" solutions I investigated were to clone the key. Again, get a pro . . .
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Now based upon all of this wealth of information I am thinking I will just get a locksmith to program one of "pre-cut" keys into my car, and THEN I will make the additional key myself as backup. I now realize that the main "cost drivers" are the equipment and the waiting time, so I will try to find someone local and just drive over to their shop. Hopefully I can make it to them before I lose key "A"!
Thank you all for the help!
Headdog
