Scenario A: The Spare
You have 1 working key
This is easy. We take your working key, put it in our machine, and "clone" the data to a new blank key.
- Car computer is NOT accessed
- No risk of data loss
- Takes 10-15 minutes
Scenario B: All Keys Lost
You have 0 working keys
This is complex. Since there is no key to copy, we must generate a new key from scratch.
- Must pick/decode the door lock manually
- Must hack/reset the car's computer (ECU)
- Requires purchasing a PIN code from manufacturer
Why Does It Cost More?
When you lose all keys, your car thinks it is being stolen. The anti-theft system (Immobilizer) goes into lockdown.
To make a new key work, we have to connect a specialized computer to your vehicle's OBD2 port and perform a "Reset." This tells the car to delete all old keys (so the lost ones won't start the car anymore) and accept the new ones.
This process requires:
- Expensive Software Tokens: We often have to pay the manufacturer (Ford, GM, Nissan) a fee just to access your car's computer.
- High-Security Cutting: We have to determine the "cuts" of your key by decoding the lock cylinder on your door, since we don't have a key to trace.
The Good News? We Are Still Cheaper.
Even with the extra work, Sprouse's Locksmith is typically 50% cheaper than towing your car to the dealership and paying their premium rates.
Please have your VIN and exact Year/Make/Model ready when you call.