Focus key woes

I took my recently acquired 51 focus TDCI estate to a Ford garage this morning for a 40,000 mile service. the good news was that they reckoned that due to its condition I got a bargain for the £3,000 I paid for it.

The bad news was that when I bought it only had one key, however I came to an agreement with the garage that they would cut and programme a replacement key for £60. when I went to pick the car up they informed me that the new key would only work on the passenger and rear doors, and it wouldn't work on the driver's side or turn on the ignition, they told me that this was due to wear in the locks and that the reason the old key worked was that it had worn in along with the tumbler mechanisms.

I told the mechanic that I wasn't going to pay for a key that didn't work, and to be fair he gave it to me for nothing, as like he said wasn't any good to him.

We've been quoted around £220 plus Vat for a couple of it new lock mechanisms, but what I can't understand is that the old key works perfectly, is the garage right and can anyone give some advice. Tia

Reply to
Ivan
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I had a couple of keys cut in the US for $90CDN where here in Canada they wanted $150CDN. Including keys and programming. I paid $5100CDN for my

2001 Wagon.
Reply to
John Gangl

Since you got the key for nothing, take both keys to a locksmith and explain the problem. They might be able to "wear down" the key to match with your old key. Make sure your car is nearby so you can try it before paying them.

Good luck.

Reply to
Tony Sutton

Actually Tony looking at both keys under a bench magnifier I noticed that there was a considerable difference between the wear on the old key and the raised steps on the new one.

Using a very fine engineering file I got it down to a point where it will now lock the driver's door and will also turn on the ignition (with a little bit of fiddling).

Having got that far I decided to take heed of the advice of a friend of mine, who's motto is 'when you're ahead don't be too greedy', which made me decide not to continue filing (I was very surprised at just how soft the metal was) in case I eventually wound up with a totally useless key!

I'm now happy that at least if push comes to shove it will at least work the central locking and turn-on the ignition, which is basically all I really need a spare key for, if for some reason I get stuck.

Reply to
Ivan

Nice one! :D

Reply to
Tony Sutton

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