Key fob costs over a hundred dollars

Your '02 van is wider and heavier than a '94 van, and it is wider, heavier,
and TALLER than the '87 Olds wagon. This all makes a difference. The
weight takes extra fuel to accelerate up to speed, and the width and height
cause extra air drag, which hurts mileage on the highway.

 

i never saw a nova not dogtrack going straight down a road

 

Defintitely larger than the Olds Wagon. But the 1994??? I can believe
that, for some strange reason, it is heavier, but wider??? I dunno. I
could get way more stuff in my 1994 than I can in the 2002. And
remember that my 1994 was not as aerodynamic as my 2002.

<sigh>

Oh well, other then the gas mileage, I love the car. It is great for
hauling around my family. So I guess that I'll just have to suck it
up.

 

Seems like a bit of a contradiction......

 

The only complaint I ever had with my old Nova was the suspension.
There was a fair amount of "pitch & roll" in my 1968. So for - at the
time in the early 80s - about $600 CDN, I had a sway bar put in the
front and rear, and KYB gas shocks all-way around.

No more pitch & roll, and after a PROPER wheel alignment (NOT a
"canadian tire" wheel alignment) drove straight as an arrow, and
cornered like a Datsun 510!

That was a good solid car that was easy to work on and CHEAP to
sevice.

 

Your wrong there Bill. Most car thieves steal cars because they need
a ride somewhere and don't have any money, then dump the car off in
a parking lot somewhere.

Ted

 

Well if that's all they do to it, then I should get it back in good
shape. Those same thieves will assume that it needs the "high-tech"
key with the "secret chip" (AKA - resistor) in it to start, so they
won't bother with it.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

 

It isn't the key that troubles many vehicle thieves it's the engine cut
off function.
Here many car thieves are druggies wanting a large vehicle in which to
carry what they steal.
They are avoiding newer thief protected cars and are stealing older
large vehicles, such as the Chrysler LH and Vans.

 

Are you only referring to the chip keys or the keyless remotes? The
dealer isn't the only source for remotes & programming.

 

But the new "keys" are combination of both the physical ignition
"key", and the "fob" all in one. It is no use to copy the physical key
only as there is something in the fob part of the key that enables the
ignition system. It acts like an engine immobilizer. Without the
electronics in the key, the car wont start.

Great excuse to scam people hundreds of dollars for what used to be a
simple key!

Jusrt because we can make something like this does not mean we SHOULD
do it! Another way in which technology has failed to improve our
lives, and diven up costs so others can make money at our expense.

 

Yup!

When I purchased my used 1994 GC, I was warned by at least 3 people...
"Use a steering wheel club, or it will get stolen - don't forget even
once!"

Well mine had an aftermarket alarm, but I used "the club" as well.

I never had a problem. but apparently lots of people did!

 

http://howardkeys.com/pdf/AutomotiveKeys/Chrysler.pdf

 

It has also driven down the costs of auto insurance which over the life of
the vehicle more than compensates for the additional cost added to sale
price. Not to mention in reduces greatly the chances of your vehicle being
stolen. I will take a chipped key thank you.

 

But when a "chipped" key is merely a normal key with a $0.05 resistor
nested in it, don't charge me $35+ simply because you have a captive
market. Or likewise charge up to $400 just because a $5 integrated
circuit is built in. If a person doubles the price of bread or plywood
in a disaster area, they get arrested for price gouging. Why is this
any different?

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

 

I do agree on this one. You know those keys cost pennys on the dollar
to manufacturer and they charge $50 for the key and $35 to program (the
non-remote key) and even more for the remote key. It sure seems like
they've set it up to line their pockets on this one.

What about those poor soles that have an early 2004 Durango???? The
dealer can't even get a key to work on that one. If you lose one or
both keys you are SOL because Dodge flashed the BCM to not allow any
keys to be programed in.