2011 “Most Popular” Automotive Key Blanks

The key blank lists are divided into transponder and non-transponder types. In order to differentiate the transponder-equipped key blanks and the two-piece, electronic board key blanks, I have used the term “circuit board” as the generic term to identify these key blanks as each company identifies these keys differently. Bianchi identifies their keys as 2-Piece Clonable Keys. Ilco identifies their keys as Electronic Keys. Jet Hardware identifies their keys as the Smart Clone Keys. We will start with the transponder and circuit board-equipped key blanks chart. Then we will present the non-transponder key blank chart.

The third and fourth charts will be the remote head transponder key blanks - the “must have” Chrysler Remote Head Key Blanks and FOBIKS, and the Ford IKT (Integrated Key Transponder). Of the seven companies chosen, only HATA offers Chrysler Remote Head Key Blanks at this time through the locksmith distribution channel. STRATTEC and HATA are the only companies that offer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury IKT key blanks at this time through the locksmith distribution channel.

The reason for the separation is to better organize the key blank numbers to provide the most value of the charts. Each key blank chart is divided by vehicle manufacturers and their respective key blank numbers. The first column is the “Description.” This column provides common information enabling locksmiths to determine what the key blank is either by a code series, transponder information and/or application information.

Then, each chart will be arranged by having the same key blank from each company on the same line. This way, the charts created will show which key blank companies do and do not consider specific key blanks “most popular.” All key blank companies may not offer a complete line of comparable key blanks.

Some key blank companies only offer logo key blanks. When a logo key blank is included, an identifier will usually be with the part number.

If the seven companies include a key blank, it should probably be considered “most popular.” Two examples are the Ford 8-cut equipped with the Texas Instruments Fixed Code transponder and the General Motors 93 (Z) groove (+) transponder-equipped key blank. You might want to consider popularity by the number of companies offering a specific key blank.

If only one company offers a specific key blank, it may or may not be considered “most popular.” An important consideration is whether a particular transponder chip is available to other aftermarket key blank manufacturers. For example, at this time only STRATTEC has Ford authorized access to the 80 Bit Texas Instruments transponder chip.

If certain automotive key blank numbers are not included, this may also be important information. However, you are the final judge of which programmable and clonable automotive key blanks you purchase and stock. The following information should be considered only a guide. Contact your local locksmith wholesaler and determine which brands of automotive key blanks they maintain in stock and of those that they feel are the “most popular”.

Transponder/Circuit Board Key Blanks

The first chart will be the Transponder/Circuit Board Key Blank Chart. The Transponder Key Chart will include both programmable and clonable transponder and circuit board key blank numbers as supplied.

All programmable fixed and encrypted transponders have a preset code allowing them to be programmed to a vehicle. Most clonable transponder and circuit board-equipped key blanks do not have a preset code.

If these key blanks are being used for cloning, no additional steps are required. Just clone the clonable transponder or circuit board-equipped key blank to the customer’s transponder-equipped key, test the operation using a “test” or metal head key and then originate the cuts onto the cloned key blank. Most clonable transponders and circuit board-equipped keys can be cloned more than once.

However, if a no preset code clonable transponder or circuit board-equipped key blank will be used with either device programming or on-board programming, a code must first be cloned onto the transponder or circuit board-equipped key blank. If not, attempting to program a no code transponder or no code circuit board-equipped key to a vehicle can result in a fault that requires the fault to be removed before another transponder value can be programmed. Some faults require dealer equipment to remove.

Once the code has been cloned, the clonable transponder or circuit board-equipped key operates like a programmable transponder-equipped key for the purposes of programming.