Re: Success repairing Th!nk Electrical issues

[Matt Mullis]

It would be most excellent if you guys could some how offer a key making and programming service. I don't like the idea of only having one key. I understand you'd need to have the key at the car for programming but maybe there can be some sort of loaner tool program. 

Just throwing it out there.

On Thu, Feb 13, 2020 at 12:16 PM 'foreignaffairs' via 2011 Think EV Owners - Oregon <2011-think-ev...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

I am happy to report that we have successfully repaired two different major electrical issues. One was a blown MLEC and key programming issue. The other was a PCU "double bypass" and external fuse retrofit. These are probably the two most common electrical problems, so we are very happy to know we can do this. We couldn't have done this without the tootalige of Tom at Th!nk Parts and Ken from Pacific repair. And of course, John Mayer's notes. Those of you who have been waiting out our learning process should be called before long for appointments. Thanks for being patient. 

Jim

Sent from my Sprint Samsung Galaxy S10+.

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[Jim Houser]

As long as you have one good key AA Express Locksmith, 110 SE 97th, can make a duplicate and program it. There is also a programming procedure that can be performed by anyone without the need for any special tools.

Jim

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[Matt Mullis]

Jim, 

Thanks for the reply. I just want to make sure I understand correctly. I was told there are two types of "programming" for the factory key. One for the lock/unlock and one for the engine immobilizer. Are you saying that the shop you mentioned can program BOTH features or that I can somehow do it on my own when the new key is returned to me? Do you have any links to this information? 

Thanks

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[Jim Houser]

The key is a common tibbe key used by Ford. (A local Ford dealer may be able to cut a duplicate and program.) There are 2 frequencies for the tibbe, but AA Express is familiar with the frequency used by the Think City. As I recall AA Express have a device that transfers all programming to the new key they cut to match the one you have. Their phone is 503-386-9649.

I seem to recall a procedure, possibly in the owners manual, if not in a service manual, for copying programming from one key to a spare while sitting in the car, inserting one key in the ignition and then the other in a certain sequence.  I no longer have access to that info, but check your owners manual to see if such a procedure is there. If not maybe FDA can check their service materials.

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[Jacob Field]

Matt, I think Jim means duplicating both the transponder for enabling the car, and the radio for locks.

To the car, the new key would look like the old key. They would be exact duplicates. The transponder relearn sequence you may be thinking of is only required when you want to learn a key with a new transponder code.

- Jacob

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[Matt Mullis]

Ok, still not 100% following what's going on. Seems like we're all using different terminology. Let me see if I understand. 

A new key, cut by whomever, would still need to be "programmed" somehow to deactivate the immobilizer, right?  It won't know my specific vehicle. How would I go about doing that?

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[Jacob Field]

You're correct. Just to make sure we're all on the same page, I'll describe my understanding of the keys:

There are three pieces to a key:

1) The physical tibbe key portion that actually unlocks physical locks and the steering lock

2) The radio/buttons that unlock/lock the doors and open the trunk

3) The transponder, a little, non-powered piece inside the key, that is powered by a coil around the keyhole in the steering wheel. That transponder contains one of two unique codes that your PCU has been programmed to recognize, and it's the part that deactivates the immobilizer. 

To answer your question, you can pretty easily get a spare key, simply by duplicating these three parts. From my understanding, a locksmith will be able to make an exact copy of all three parts of the key. However, you won't be able to make a replacement for the lost key—while the physical key and the radio part are the same, each transponder inside the two keys that originally came with the car had unique codes. 

Hopefully that clears things up!

- Jacob

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[Jim Houser]

Stated another way, shortly after we received our Think City some seven years ago I decided I needed an additional key. I drove to AA Express and handed them my key. They "cut" a physical copy, put my original key in a device behind the counter, put my new replacement key, the one they just created, in the same device and handed it back. I paid them and walked out the door. With me new key I unlocked the car with the button on the new key, got in the car, inserted the new key in the ignition, gave it a twist, and drove away.

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[foreignaffairs]

Like most cars, simply cutting a replacement key and using it to turn the ignition switch to the on position will not start the vehicle if the immobilizer does not recognize the key. It requires an original recognized key and the new key to program the immobilizer to accept a new key.

Sent from my Sprint Samsung Galaxy S10+.

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