Losing or damaging your Chrysler Town & Country key fob can be a stressful experience. Fortunately, replacing your key fob doesn’t have to be complicated or overly expensive. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Chrysler Town & Country replacement key fobs, ensuring you get back on the road quickly and affordably.
Understanding your Chrysler Town & Country key fob is the first step. These fobs are more than just keys; they are sophisticated transmitters that communicate with your vehicle’s immobilizer system. If you already have two working key fobs, you may be in luck. Chrysler Town & Country models often allow you to program a third, and even up to eight, key fobs yourself. This is possible because your existing, functioning fobs can communicate the necessary security codes to program a new one. To check if your current fobs are working correctly, ensure they can both start your vehicle. This is a good indication that they are functioning and might be used for self-programming.
However, be cautious when purchasing replacement key fobs online. Some online vendors may sell fobs that have been previously programmed to another vehicle. These used fobs often cannot be reprogrammed to a new car, rendering them useless. Visually inspect any potential purchase. New fobs often have crisp, white lettering, while older, original fobs may exhibit yellowing on the lettering and signs of wear and tear. Consider if your Chrysler Town & Country is equipped with remote start. Key fobs with a circle arrow button pressed twice are typically for remote start functionality.
You might encounter hardware stores offering key programming services. While convenient, it’s unusual for them to possess the specialized tools required to program Chrysler key fobs correctly. Hardware stores often duplicate keys by reading the chip and creating a clone, which isn’t compatible with Chrysler’s system. Chrysler key fobs are uniquely tagged to a specific vehicle during programming and cannot be simply cloned or reused on another vehicle.
For reliable Chrysler Town & Country replacement key fob programming, consider contacting a local locksmith specializing in automotive keys. Locksmiths often provide a more affordable solution compared to dealerships. You can expect a locksmith to quote around $75 for a new key fob and programming. Alternatively, your Chrysler dealership is a guaranteed, albeit potentially more expensive, option. Dealer costs for a new key fob and programming can reach approximately $200 or more. This typically breaks down to around $125 for the key fob itself and labor costs for cutting the physical key and programming the fob to your vehicle. A benefit of using a dealership is their ability to verify if your vehicle is equipped with remote start if you are unsure.
Choosing the right path for your Chrysler Town & Country replacement key fob depends on your budget and urgency. While self-programming is an option if you have two working fobs and a compatible new fob, professional locksmiths and dealerships offer reliable programming services, ensuring your replacement key fob works seamlessly with your vehicle.
