Key Programming: Ford Crown Victoria 1997-2010
Ford Crown Victoria 1997-2010 Key Programming Procedure
The following are the key programming procedures for the year 1997, 2007 and 2010 Ford Crown Victoria.
Ford Crown Victoria 1997
ORIGINATE NEW MASTER KEY:
1. Put the new key into the ignition. Turn it to the ON position. The dashboard security light will flash for 15 minutes. Once the dashboard security light stops flashing, you have five minutes to begin Step 2.
2. Turn the ignition OFF and then back to the ON position. The dashboard security light will flash for 15 additional minutes.
3. Repeat Step 2.
4. Once the dashboard security light has turned off for the third time, the key will be able to function in the car. It has been programmed into the car’s computer and has replaced ALL previous electronic key codes — the computer will not recognize any other key.
ADD DUPLICATE KEY:
1. Put the current key into the ignition.
2. Turn the ignition ON and back to OFF.
3. Remove the current key and insert the new key, turning it ON. You MUST do this within 15 seconds.
4. The security light will switch on for two seconds, confirming that the key has been successfully programmed into the vehicle.
Ford Crown Victoria 1998 +
ADD KEY (Requires two working keys):
1. Put a current key into the ignition.
2. Turn the ignition to ON, then back to the OFF position.
3. Remove the key and insert a second key. Turn it ON and back to the OFF position. You MUST do this within five seconds.
4. Before ten seconds have elapsed, put a new key in and turn the ignition ON. After one second, turn the key back to the OFF position.
5. The dashboard security light will glow for three seconds. This confirms the programming of the new key has been successful.
About Ford Crown Victoria
On December 26, 1997, the second generation Crown Victoria went on sale. Although the 1992-1997 Ford Crown Victoria had more favorable critical and commercial reaction than the controversial styling of the 1991 Chevrolet Caprice, sales lagged behind those of its Mercury Grand Marquis competitor. For the 1998 model year, the Crown Victoria copied most of the exterior appearance of the Mercury Grand Marquis in an effort to garner buyer acceptability (and increase part commonality).
Following its launch in 1998, the second-generation Crown Victoria underwent a major redesign for the 2003 model year. While the body remained same, practically the whole chassis was overhauled, including considerable modifications to the suspension and handling.
The second-generation Ford Crown Victoria was built on the Ford Panther chassis, which was also used by the Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car.
Several improvements were made to the rear suspension as part of the 1998 facelift to improve overall driving manners (at the expense of reduced towing capacity). The original three-link coil-spring configuration was replaced with a four-link Watt’s linkage configuration. While four-wheel disc brakes were still used, larger braking rotors prompted a move to 16-inch wheels for all Crown Victoria models in 1998. ABS became standard on all Crown Victorias in 1999. (except Police Interceptors).
The suspension and steering were extensively updated for the 2003 model year, along with the chassis redesign. The Crown Victoria used rack and pinion steering for the first time, replacing the long-running recirculating ball system, along with aluminum front control arms. Twin-tube shocks (used since the mid-1960s) were replaced in the rear by monotube shocks; the shocks were moved to the outside of the chassis rails to improve maintenance and on-road performance. The Panther-chassis vehicles were outfitted with wheels having a high positive offset as part of the suspension modifications (flat-face). For 2006, the Crown Victoria’s steel wheels were resized to 17 inches in diameter.
The 4.6 L SOHC 16-valve Modular V8 engine powers the second generation. While carried over from the previous generation, output was increased to 200 horsepower in 1998. (dual-exhaust examples produced 215 hp). The distributorless ignition system (with two coil packs) was phased out in 1999 in favor of coil-on-plug ignition (a feature first used on the DOHC 4.6 L V8, and shared with other iterations of the Modular V8 for 1999). The engine received new cylinder heads (from the Mustang GT) in 2001, increasing output to 220 horsepower (235 hp in dual-exhaust configuration). The engine output was raised further in 2003, to 224 horsepower or 239 hp (depending on exhaust arrangement); the rise was due to the installation of a knock sensor in the engine. The Police Interceptor’s engine output was upped to 250 hp for the final time in 2004. (as its engine received the air intake of the Mercury Marauder). The engine had a small update in 2005, with the addition of electronic “drive-by-wire” throttle control.
The 4R70W 4-speed automatic was partnered with the 4.6 L V8 from 1998 to 2004, and was replaced by the 4R70E in 2005 (the latter designed to support electronic throttle controls); the 4R75W was exclusive to the 2004 Police Interceptor.
