The great key uh oh
 

Morning folks,
I have an 01 WJ 4.7 with skim. My wife lost her key in November last year, and yesterday while fishing up river, my key fell out of my pocket into the mighty Kuskokwim River. What are my options for replacing/reprogramming/eliminating the skim? I have steel keys that work for the doors, and will turn it over. I am 400 air miles from the nearest dealership in southwest Alaska. Chrysler said any dealership can program keys based on my vin, our nearest dealer said Id need to bring either the Wj in, or at least my key. Since Im sol on that, and not spending 6-8k one way to frieght my WJ to Anchorage, what can I do?

Talk to them about shipping them just your SKIM. They can read it and make keys that way. I think? What do I know? You'll have to supply one of your steel keys so the new ones will fit the lock tumbler.

So your jeep is still sitting by the river? LOL!

Yes its sitting and Im having to cab around...

OUCH!! I've heard rumors of people who somewhere got PCMs programmed to ignore the SKIM, but I have no first hand knowledge of this.

My opinion is if you get 2 keys made that work, get 2 more. Put one in the house where you can find it and one in a magnetic lockbox attached to the back of your spare wheel in the well.

I've done some research on programming new keys yourself IF you have the 2 original keys. Each key is made with a programmed chip inside and the SKIM has to recognize it's code. The 2 original keys have a "secret code" as well. The SKIM has to recognize these "secret" keys before it goes into program mode to make new ones. The SKIM will store up to 10 different codes. You can buy a new SKIM with it's 2 keys thru a dealer. It will more than likely have to be ordered because around here, no dealer stocks part for any car more than 5 years old. The 2 original keys are different colors, one is grey and one is brown. All aftermarket keys are black.

Fobs are another matter. The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) receiver has to be programmed for those.

Thats what I am trying to do but with no lock smith in Bethel, this is quickly becoming a F-up and a half very quickly.

Take the lock cylinder out and use a screwdriver? Saw them do that on COPS a few times.

Someone turned in my keys to the Port office of Bethel after trying to take my jeep but since it had no battery they left it. I have my key back, a key programmer that is rumored to work, and a spare factory key from ACD our Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep dealer in Anchorage that I am going to attempt to add.

Does anyone know if the stock keys from Mopar can be cloned? I have 4 new keys cut for the door/ignition. My programmer I am having a hell of a time with, so I am wondering if since i have one of the originals, can they just be cloned to match the one that does work. Thanks.

All chipped keys are manufactured with a preprogramed transponder code in them. The SKIM has to be programmed to recognize whatever code the key puts out when questioned by the SKIM. I know a dealer can scan the keys and program the SKIM to recognize them. Now that you have an original key, you may have to drive to Anchorage to get it done. I have no idea what the programmer you have will do or how it works.

Thats the problem, there is 8.5 miles of road in Bethel. There is no roads in Western Alaska that leave that town. Its all air frieght/barges...

Yeah....that could be a problem. That's a LONG trip on a barge too! The security key system is not easily defeated. It's purposely designed that way. The PCM, BCM, and SKIM are all coded with your VIN and have to work together.

Yeah, I have another programmer on the way as well, does all vehicles 96+ for key adds. The one I got will do all Mopars 05+ which I can program/add keys for the folks looking to add keys at their cost.

IDK if this helps, but all this is covered in the FSM from pacificcoastmanuals.com for $8 ( 93mb downloadable pdf file)

I have that manual. I have found complete combos on ebay of the pcm, immobilser, ignition tumbler with both keys. For the $180 they want it might just be worth it.

Man... this is terrible. I think I would rather take more of an old school chance it might get stolen than go through this whole modern technology mess.