Got an insane dealer quote yesterday to copy my SKIM enabled key, need recommendations

[GregBelleville]

On a whim yesterday I stopped at a local Jeep dealer to ask their service department what it would cost to have a copy of my key made so I'd have a spare skim enabled key in case I ever lose the one I have or the chip craps out on me.

Anyway I was floored when they told me a key was $150 and having it programmed would be another $250 for a grand total of $400!?

So naturally I'm looking for advice from others who've recently replaced a key for more affordable options, help!

 

[C.J. Roberts]

I've read here that a GOOD locksmith can do it for much less. If it's just that you want extra keys and aren't worried about security, I made plain copies of mine for my truck and zip tied the SKIM key to a wire bundle inside my steering column. That way plain keys work.

 

[NskLJ]

On a whim yesterday I stopped at a local Jeep dealer to ask their service department what it would cost to have a copy of my key made so I'd have a spare skim enabled key in case I ever lose the one I have or the chip craps out on me.

Anyway I was floored when they told me a key was $150 and having it programmed would be another $250 for a grand total of $400!?

So naturally I'm looking for advice from others who've recently replaced a key for more affordable options, help!

https://www.extremeterrain.com/jeep...VIVFHAR2vaw-3EAQYAiABEgKeTvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[chili_pepper]

Anyway I was floored when they told me a key was $150 and having it programmed would be another $250 for a grand total of $400!?

Pretty sure prices in that ballpark are par for the course with many newer vehicles, depending on the dealer. I feel like I was looking at the kind of money for my '07 BMW, which was sold to buy my LJ last year.

I know nothing of the SKIM, but I'm glad mine just takes a key.

 

[psrivats]

Talk to Blaine.

If you have two chipped keys, you can buy a chipped key, get it cut at the local hardware store, and program it yourself in the vehicle following owners manual instructions. But note that the quality of replacement chipped keys have become iffy and you may need to get a few keys to make sure you don't have one that's DOA.

 

[OldBuzzard]

I got the same kind of quote in Colorado. Insane!

If you have two good SKIS keys, you can program another one for free, in the Jeep. Blank keys can be had from eBay for $11, but you have to get lucky to get a good no-brand key. I bought one from Bartolete Keys which worked nicely.

With only one key, you'll have to find a GOOD locksmith like CJ Roberts said. They should be closer to $100 for the job, much better than a dealer but still insane.

 

[williambmac]

400.00 is about average for a key and programming. Consider yourself lucky you don't own a Range Rover or German vehicle.

 

[GregBelleville]

Talk to Blaine.

If you have two chipped keys, you can buy a chipped key, get it cut at the local hardware store, and program it yourself in the vehicle following owners manual instructions. But note that the quality of replacement chipped keys have become iffy and you may need to get a few keys to make sure you don't have one that's DOA.

When you say I can program my own if I have 2 chipped keys do you mean 1 already programmed key plus one new chipped (but unprogrammed) key? Or do you mean I need to have 2 already programmed keys plus a 3rd new key to program?

 

[ColoJeep]

When you say I can program my own if I have 2 chipped keys do you mean 1 already programmed key plus one new chipped (but unprogrammed) key? Or do you mean I need to have 2 already programmed keys plus a 3rd new key to program?

2 programed keys , then you can make as many the ones as you need.

 

[OldBuzzard]

When you say I can program my own if I have 2 chipped keys do you mean 1 already programmed key plus one new chipped (but unprogrammed) key? Or do you mean I need to have 2 already programmed keys plus a 3rd new key to program?

Two programmed keys, lets you program a 3rd blank key (up to 8, I believe).

 

[GregBelleville]

Two programmed keys, lets you program a 3rd blank key (up to 8, I believe).

Dang I've only got one

 

[Jamison C]

When you say I can program my own if I have 2 chipped keys do you mean 1 already programmed key plus one new chipped (but unprogrammed) key? Or do you mean I need to have 2 already programmed keys plus a 3rd new key to program?

You have to have two programmed factory Jeep keys to make clones.

 

[mrblaine]

Two programmed keys, lets you program a 3rd blank key (up to 8, I believe).

Yes and no, they have to be unique keys and not clones like the generic locksmiths are prone to do. If you try to do the self programming with cloned keys, it thinks you just have one key and won't work.

 

[ColoJeep]

Yes and no, they have to be unique keys and not clones like the generic locksmiths are prone to do. If you try to do the self programming with cloned keys, it thinks you just have one key and won't work.

Good point , I actually bought 2 more expensive , ( 40.00 each ) keys from the dealer and programed them myself following the owners manual.

 

[707kevin]

Talk to Blaine.

If you have two chipped keys, you can buy a chipped key, get it cut at the local hardware store, and program it yourself in the vehicle following owners manual instructions. But note that the quality of replacement chipped keys have become iffy and you may need to get a few keys to make sure you don't have one that's DOA.

If you have two keys already. This is incredibly easy. I bought 2 more oem keys on ebay and had them cut. The procedure to program was easy. I was fortunate to have 2 unique keys already

 

[notnsuv]

I've read here that a GOOD locksmith can do it for much less. If it's just that you want extra keys and aren't worried about security, I made plain copies of mine for my truck and zip tied the SKIM key to a wire bundle inside my steering column. That way plain keys work.

$60 locally.

 

[Marklar1983]

https://www.extremeterrain.com/jeep...VIVFHAR2vaw-3EAQYAiABEgKeTvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

This listing says for 07-18 JK, is the SKIM key the same?

 

[5632]

Get ride of the SKIM and don't ask Wranglerfix.

 

[CharlesHS]

Unless you have a friend that is a knowledgeable Jeep Technician….

 

[C.J. Roberts]

and don't ask Wranglerfix.

Need to ask why? He's been a valuable asset to many around here.