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2013 Sentry Key???

5K views 50 replies 14 participants last post by  BruceM1964 
#1 ·
I swung a deal with my dealer that I was to get a Sentry Key (chipped) along with my missing at delivery second factory key. I have power locks on the fob. Since they had to order a new key the dealer said that they will cut and program them all at once this week.

Came to find out the when my wife made the appointment they said that they can't program a seperate sentry key for this vehicle.

Its a 2013 Wrangler 2 dr Freedom Edition. What gives? I found out last night after the dealer was closed and they are closed for the 4th. I am kind of mad right now. I would like a 3rd key for many reasons. Thanks for any help.

What do you guys do for extra keys?
 
#2 ·
I had a third key made as an extra for the keybox, cost $170 for the key and to have it programmed by the dealer. They need one key to program another I found out....not cheap!
 
#3 ·
I just researched this subject last month. If you have only one key your options are limited. If the dealer can't/won't make you a second key then you will have to find a locksmith that can clone you a second key. I found a locksmith here where I live that charges $50 to clone a second key.

Once you have two working transponder keys you can make more transponder keys yourself. Just go to Ebay and buy either a sentry key fob style key or a regular transponder valet key. The key fob style ranged from $40-$90 and the valet transponder ones ranged from 2 keys for $15 delivered to $20 a piece. You then take that blank transponder key and have it cut somewhere like Home Depot etc... Then you program that key as per your owners manual.

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f96/i-need-extra-key-my-2013-jku-what-my-options-1531300/
 
#4 ·
If the dealer says they can't program a separate key, it's bologna. They just don't want to give you a $200 key for free. Go to a locksmith. They can make you a new key and program it for half the cost (Still not cheap). Then take your 2 keys, and but spare(s) on Ebay and program them yourself.

ETA You just need to get the new keys cut before you can program them.
 
#5 ·
total BS, without two key the dealer must do some extra coding in the computer to get the 2nd key programmed. From There its a lot easier to do the third. I would be very pissed for them lying to your wife. Do you have it in writing that they would provide you the 3rd key. If so go get it. I always make the 3rd key part of the deal and have a separate we owe you form that they sign.
 
#6 ·
I am definitely getting a second key but I am p.o'ed about the sentry key lie. I also did get a third key that opens the console but that is kind of useless as I need a third key to start the vehicle. They didn't have the factory #2 key when we bought it and they are going to program one but it still ticks me off for the sentry key. I'm not done yet, I still haven't talked to Chrysler as they call when I am not home to see how my buying experience was.
 
#7 ·
I got a blank, uncoded key from Ebay for $8 and my dealership cut it for free. I tried to program it with my other 2 coded keys but it wouldn't work. I have a 2013. The parts guy at the dealership didn't think I could code it myself on the 2013's, I guess he was right. Have to go back to dealership to get them to program it.
 
#11 ·
I also have 3 my 2013.
 
#12 ·
I thank you guys very much for posting with your valuable input. As a new owner I would otherwise be at the mercy of a dealership and not have anything to stand on. You can bet that I will be getting a sentry key as promised because of all the good information you have provided. We will see if shaking hands to complete the deal means anything to my dealership, I am hoping so. Once again THANKS!!!!
 
#16 ·
I'm a locksmith and they should program up no problem as long as both keys your using are NOT a clone. The vehicle needs to see two unique coded keys to be able to enter the on board programming Just remember that if you lock the doors with the power door lock button or the remote an alarm will sound if you open the door using the key cylinder You will need to just put the key in the ignition and turn it on to stop the horn. Good luck

PS the Chrysler programming can take many many tries before it works
 
#23 ·
I keep going back and forth with my dealer and somehow he keeps insisting that the ONLY key available is one that costs 180 and has the lock/unlock buttons on it.
I see there are these available thru Ebay for cheep. Is there a certain key that I should get as I see the prices vary greatly.
Its a 2013 Wrangler 2 door with power locks. I am still having a real hard time with the fact that it costs 180 at the dealer.
My other issue deals with what lkmn1 states about not using a cloned key. I did not receive 2 keys when I took delivery. I am picking the second key up tomorrow night at the dealer but he said they need my vehicle to program the new key. What should I ask or look for when we go there? How would I know if they "clone" a key and then does that limit my programming options? I am feeling as if I'm only going to have 2 keys pretty soon. Thanks for any help.
 
#24 ·
The information is in this thread and the thread that I linked above. If your dealer is going to give you a cloned key you are good to go then. My dealer told me the same thing, they said that I could not get a valet style key. They swore up and down that I had to go with the $175 key fob. All you need is 2 transponder keys, it doesn't matter if one of them is cloned or not. With two keys you can make up to 8 copies yourself, screw the dealer. I paid $15 for two keys on eBay and did it myself. But you must get that clone from the dealer to do this. If you are unable to get the clone from the dealer go to a locksmith and pay $50 for a clone. A locksmith can make you a second copy with just one transponder key.
 
#25 ·
Dead-On said:
The information is in this thread and the thread that I linked above. If your dealer is going to give you a cloned key you are good to go then. My dealer told me the same thing, they said that I could not get a valet style key. They swore up and down that I had to go with the $175 key fob. All you need is 2 transponder keys, it doesn't matter if one of them is cloned or not. With two keys you can make up to 8 copies yourself, screw the dealer. I paid $15 for two keys on eBay and did it myself. But you must get that clone from the dealer to do this. If you are unable to get the clone from the dealer go to a locksmith and pay $50 for a clone. A locksmith can make you a second copy with just one transponder key.
That isn't true. A clone key and an OEM type key will not allow you to enter the onbiard programming. I do this everyday. The vehicle needs to see 2 unique key codes in order to enter programming mode. There are many aftermarket keys that can be used from companies such as Stratec (692352 part number I believe I can check when I get into my office tomorrow) or Ilco. There are many others but you can't use s clone if you want to use onboard programming in the future. BTW I don't know of any Chrysler dealers cloning
 
#26 ·
Just a final update on this one. There is in fact a sentry key for the 2013 Wrangler, I have one now. The dealer evidently contacted the wrong person in the parts department and was given the wrong information. I persisted and was helped by lkmn1 with some awesome information and the key is on my ring. The initial deal between my salesman and myself was that I would get the third key which we shook on to finish the deal. Initially the salesman said the key was about 30 bucks, yesterday that key cost 120. I did not pay a dime extra. He honored his deal even though we didn't have it in writing. I found out that he is a decent guy and would definitely buy from him again. This is a great forum and had I not come here I would have probably just said the hell with a 3rd key. Thanks all, especially Jim. Have Fun, stay safe.
 
#27 ·
I apologize for the misinformation. I was just going by what my local locksmith told me and what others said in the link that I provided. I did not have to go the cloning route since I already had two keys from the dealer. But two separate dealers did tell me that I could not get a valet key for my 13 JKU, they were wrong. I was able to make extra valet keys and program them myself at a cost of less than $10 a piece. I'm glad it worked out for you.
 
#29 ·
I bought this key on ebay had it cut at a local locksmith (for $10) and programmed it using my 2 stock keys. I then bought this key had it cut at my local locksmith (for $8) and programmed using my cloned key and 1 stock key. All of the keys work fine to start the car and have had no issue. I have 4 working keys for my Jeep and paid a total of $68 for my 2 clone keys (including getting the keys cut).
 
#30 ·
read this in a different auto thread and wondered if anyone has done this w/ their Jeep:

just make the 'valet' metal key w/out the transponder and put that one your key ring. Tape one of the keys that has the transponder, hidden, under the dash. Now you have a slimmer key on your key ring and the ability to start the Jeep.

Don't know about the rest of you but this key creep of gigantic keys is weighing heavily upon my pocket.

I'm ordering a 2014 shortly and thought I'd go this route if it'll work.

Be a big convenience when I'm fishing and worried about getting my electronic key wet.

john

sorry if this is too much of a tangent on the op's topic and is a hijack. hope it isn't
 
#31 ·
read this in a different auto thread and wondered if anyone has done this w/ their Jeep:

just make the 'valet' metal key w/out the transponder and put that one your key ring. Tape one of the keys that has the transponder, hidden, under the dash. Now you have a slimmer key on your key ring and the ability to start the Jeep.

Don't know about the rest of you but this key creep of gigantic keys is weighing heavily upon my pocket.

I'm ordering a 2014 shortly and thought I'd go this route if it'll work.

Be a big convenience when I'm fishing and worried about getting my electronic key wet.

john

sorry if this is too much of a tangent on the op's topic and is a hijack. hope it isn't
Hey that is actually a great idea. I have a valet key and I was also just pissin and moanin about the giant key thing also. I think I just might do what you say here. Thanks. Not a hijack at all!:cheers2:
 
#32 ·
read this in a different auto thread and wondered if anyone has done this w/ their Jeep:

just make the 'valet' metal key w/out the transponder and put that one your key ring. Tape one of the keys that has the transponder, hidden, under the dash. Now you have a slimmer key on your key ring and the ability to start the Jeep.

Don't know about the rest of you but this key creep of gigantic keys is weighing heavily upon my pocket.

I'm ordering a 2014 shortly and thought I'd go this route if it'll work.

Be a big convenience when I'm fishing and worried about getting my electronic key wet.

john

sorry if this is too much of a tangent on the op's topic and is a hijack. hope it isn't
Maybe it's just me but I don't understand what you're trying to accomplish by doing this. As soon as you open the door with your non transponder metal key the alarm will sound. In addition once you start a Jeep it will just stall two seconds later. Is it your assertion that having a transponder key under the dash will somehow allow the metal key to work? I am not 100 % sure how these transporter keys work but I think the transponder key has to actually be in the ignition. When I first got the Jeep I put a transponder key on top of the steering column and try to start a jeep with a metal key and it did not work.
 
#34 ·
I think he means to use the non-transponder key just to unlock the door to get to the hidden transponder key. Then using that, shut off the alarm and start the Jeep. The transponder key has to physically be in the ignition switch to work.
That would work if you don't mind the alarm going off every time you get in your Jeep.

On another note I just did a test with a plain metal key. I put the plain metal key in the ignition and tried starting it while touching it with a transponder key. The metal to metal contact allowed me to start the Jeep with the cut metal key.
 
#35 ·
Putting the key in the steering column will work. Here in Massachusetts where big brother requires insurance. If you do thus and the car is stolen and later recovered they WILL send it out to an auto recovery expert and they will check it. If they find you tricked the system or defeated it in any way. They won't pay for the damages at all. So I don't know about anyone else but I can't afford that. But I'm also a locksmith with a computer to program these keys so its a moot point for me. Just a friendly warning. Talk to your insurance co
 
#38 ·
So I just sat here for 20 minutes trying every conceivable scenario. Under no circumstances could I get my plain old metal (non transponder) key to work unless one of the original Jeep keys was touching the ignition or the key. And even then sometimes it would stall after two seconds. I placed the two original keys on the column and a valet transponder key in my hand and this would not get the plain metal key to work...
 
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