Question on best deal for getting a new 2006 key programmed

Hey guys,

My daughter has a 2006 PT Cruiser and the plastic part of the key has broken. It still works, but is in two pieces. The dealer wants $150+ for a newly reprogrammed key, while ebay has keys for $6 that need programming. What's the most cost effective way of getting a new key for this old beater?

Thanks!!
Randy

If its just the shell.
Aftermkt has them. No programing needed.

If you have 2 keys .you dont need the dealer to.program it

Me personally im not a fan of the aftermarket key fobs. Had bad luck with longevity of a few.

If you can do without the security of a chip key, I have a cheap solution.

The gray key is a proximity key, which means that it only needs to be close enough to the transponder by the switch to communicate. So, go to your local hardware store and have them cut you as many of the cheap black (non chip) keys to fit the switch as you want. Then pull the lower cover off the column and tape or glue the original gray key in there so that the transponder communicates with that original key. Re-install the lower cover and you can use the cheap (black) key that you cut to fit.

Have done this many times.

https://itstillruns.com/program-sentry-key-pt-cruiser-5728923.html

Thanks for the info guys. She only has one key for it, so that makes it a little more tricky.

Then you have only 2 choices. replace the shell if the key fob itself works

Go see your local Mopar dealer.
Regardless of what anyone tells you. You can NOT program a key in the field if you only have the one

Key look like so ?
if so , I dont think the aftermkt services these as just a shell to replace the plastic.
Pretty sure its full key only.
I'll tell you ahead of time some dealers may not program these aftermkt keys due to the issues they come with

Yep, that's what she looks like.

Not 100% sure about 06 and newer but on 05 and older you can.. The procedure is in the owners manual, I did it once when I lost one of my keys to my Rumblebee..

Would like to know where or how

I had to get my local dealer do the one for my daughters 04 Neon.
Again we only had the 1 key.

The local locksmith in our one-horse town of 3200 people can furnish programmed key fobs. I'm guessing someone in your area, other than the dealer, could also.

Great idea! Thanks, I'll check around.

The CarrotVan OEM fob ....... where it hooks onto a key ring .... that little tab always breaks. The pair I got off eBay some years back SPECIFICALLY guarantees that THAT will never break. The pair was like 8$ delivered. You need to get the key cut though

getX .... issues ? ....

Supposedly sometime the keys will "lose" the programming.
I've had multiple Ebay aftermarket keys programmed at a locksmith and haven't had a problem so far.

The Father in Law has bought some key programming box off ebay and as soon as he brings it over we'll be programming the ebay keys for my 2007 300 SRT8 (which only came with one key).
He's used it on his and a few other Chrysler vehicles with no problem so far.

Mainly had to be right on top of the car for the fob to unlock the doors and way to short battery life IMO

We had customers come back in 3 or 4 months with key issues. After about half dozen come backs over maybe 12-18 month period we refused to cut or program aftermkt keys altogether at the dealership I worked at

I've been suffering with my 05 Durango for a year. Key works, fob not so much. I'm afraid to lock the doors. Hell, closest MoPar dealer is 30 miles away and they are all butt holes.

Has anyone tried one of these? This is a key and a programming device.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZijvyGWroc

Dorman sells those also for about $85. But no one sells them for Mopars.

I just got done programming a fob for my 03 Dakota in my driveway. I only had one functioning fob and bought a cheap aftermarket replacement.

As you showed, the instructions were right in the owners manual. The process had several steps, but only took about 3 minutes. Got it on the 2nd try and the $14 cheapo-works like a champ. Can't speak for newer and older cars, but for an 03 there is no locksmith/dealer required (regardless of what anyone tells you.)

Where did you get the replacement, a parts store, or ordered online? Worth a shot for $14 to me.