Programming 2006 Ford Fusion key?
Okay, first of all, I got my car used a couple of months ago and it seemed to run fine and stuff but soon after it started breaking down and saying "Check charging system" with fuel, engine and battery light on. I could get it to start eventually each time after it breaking down. I changed the battery and it's still doing it.
This guy only gave me one key because they had lost the second one awhile before. I've been wanting to get a spare but it's like $200+ at the dealership and that's insane. I found out later that I could buy a key online way cheaper and take it somewhere to get programmed. I ordered a key and took it to my local locksmith and they had cut it wrong so they told me they'd buy me a new one and program it for free.
We got the new key and she connected it to the computer and it would not work and it won't program at all. She told me it was probably the wiring in the car or fuses and that's probably why it's breaking down too. She told me to get that fixed then bring it back and she'll program it. She told me to take it to ford and get it diagnosed but it's $75 just to look at it! Their prices are completely ridiculous. I just want to see if there are any suggestions on what I can do. I'm only 15 with a weekend/ after school job making minimum wage and I'm already currently saving for something else so I don't have a ton of money just to throw into this car. I want to try any of your suggestions first before spending a crazy amount of money. Thanks so much
Added (1). I went to autozone and they tested my car and said it's saying there aren't any problems at all.
Go to local parts store and ask them to test battery and alternator for free
I would start there
Ok, well this is kind of confusing. But first of all, Diane has a good point. If you are still having problems, you need to do testing. For instance:
" I changed the battery and…"
Why did you do that? Took a guess that the battery was bad? It sounds like it wasn't and the problem is something else. Again. See Diane's answer.
More confusion:
"We got the new key and she connected it to the computer and it would not work and it won't program at all."
What computer? The locksmith's computer to burn the code into the new key? If so how would she know that there's something wrong with the car? If the chip in the key can't take being programmed, then the problem is with either the chip or the chip burner. These things happen. I know. I work on (professionally) computer controls which use eprom chips - that need to be programmed or "burnt."
This is a 10 year old car (it was made on '05) so why are you taking it to the dealership? It's not like it is still under warranty. If other, non - dealership, mechanic shops couldn't work on Fords they wouldn't be in business long. In case you haven't noticed, there are a lot of Fords on the road. Dealerships are notorious for their exorbitant rates. They work on an awful lot of cars which are under warranty and get paid squat for it (from Corporate) and have to make it up someplace.
As this is a used car it is entirely likely that the previous owner "messed up" the electrical system by installing (poorly) an aftermarket alarm or sound system and then removing (poorly) it before selling it. I've seen this before with cars with weird electrical problems like the intermittent wipers wouldn't work if the radio was on or the heat / AC blower would only work while the left turn signal was on.
An automotive electrical shop is the place to take a car to get stuff like that repaired properly. Electricity regularly confounds and confuses general auto mechanics.
But speaking of electricity… Your battery is new so it's probably good - sometimes battery manufacturers produce "duds" - but it's easy enough to test. This is more than just putting a volt meter on it. It needs to be tested for load. The same is true for the alternator but as far as I know Diane is incorrect about the auto parts stores. They only test an alternator if it has been taken off the car. Again, I know this because I have used the machinery when I worked as an alternator rebuilder. I believe a competent mechanic shop should have a tester that can test it on the car.
But that's what you need; a crew of specialists; someone who knows about burning the chips in keys, someone who knows about automotive electrical systems and possibly a good general auto mechanic. You might find this in a really top notch mechanic shop but not a dealership - ha! It's laughable that any dealership could ever even come close to that.
The last bit of confusion:
Where is it legal for 15 year olds to drive?
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