Key Programming: Ford Ranger 1997-2011
Ford Ranger 1997-2011 Key Programming Procedure
The following are the key programming procedures for the 1997, 1998 and 2011 Ford Ranger.
Ford Ranger 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 Ranger 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 Ranger
Ford released the Ranger in the United States and Canada for the 1983 model year. The Ford Ranger was the company’s first compact pickup vehicle, replacing the Mazda-produced Ford Courier. The model series was offered from 1983 to 2012 and was produced over three generations using a single chassis construction (ending retail sales after the 2011 model year).
Over the course of its manufacture, the Ranger light-truck chassis architecture was used to build a wide range of vehicles. The Ford Ranger shared body and powertrain components with the Ford Bronco II and Explorer SUVs, as well as the Ford Aerostar minivan and the Ford Explorer Sport Trac mid-size pickup truck. Mazda rebadged the Ford Ranger and sold it as the Mazda B-Series in the United States and Canada from 1994 to 2009. (the reverse of the 1970s Ford Courier and also the reverse of the Ford Ranger outside of North America).
Despite being one of the most popular compact trucks for practically its entire 29-year production, it was discontinued after the 2011 model year due to a general downturn in compact truck demand (a short 2012 run was produced for fleet sales). The final Ford Ranger built for North America rolled off the Twin Cities Assembly line on December 22, 2011. (as the final vehicle assembled at the facility).
Ford reintroduced the Ranger to its North American model lineup for the 2019 model year (after an eight-year sabbatical); the first example rolled off the assembly line on October 22, 2018. The fourth-generation Ranger is based on the global-market Ranger T6 designed by Ford Australia. It is the first iteration of the model line to be available as a mid-size pickup truck. The model line, which was based on the Ford Explorer Sport Trac from 2001 to 2010, was modified to comply with US government standards and to meet local market demands.
On a 127-inch wheelbase, the current Ranger is available in two configurations: a 2+2 door SuperCab (6-foot bed) and a 4-door SuperCrew (5-foot bed); the 2.3L EcoBoost twin-turbocharged inline-4 and 10-speed automatic are only available in North America. The two-door standard cab is not available for purchase in North America at this time (nor is the Ranger Raptor).
Ford manufactures the model line at its Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan.
