Only Key Lost...:(
 

I have lost the only working key to my 2003 Chrysler 300M :(

I had a copy made, and whilst it opens the door, the engine just dies after a few seconds. I live in Rwanda, and suspect this is the only Chrysler 300M in the whole country...what options do I have? Is there any way to get the engine started, or replace the ignition or bypass it? Or do I have to contact Chrysler and buy a new key for a ridiculous amount of money?

Worst still, I was just about to sell the car...

the car and the key has to be at the dealer to have the key programmed to the car.

Situation resolved today - but at a cost!

A locksmith turned up with a black box (from Turkey), and I believe some Chinese software, which could read the signal from the car, looking for the response from the chip in the key, and program a chip accordingly to give the appropriate response.

He did not have a suitable key fob to cut a new key (yet), but had another key with the imbedded Chrysler chip, which when programmed and attached to my copy key, was sufficient for the engine to start.

The locksmith gave me loads of bull**** about how much the fobs cost in Dubai, and the software has to be purchased and credited to the black box on a per chip programmed basis etc., and robbed me of $300 for the privilege of starting up my car with my own copy key...though he will eventually give me a proper cut key.

I also got an answer from Customer Assist at Chrysler - which simply said contact a dealer for a new key; despite me pointing out that my nearest Chrysler dealer was some two thousand miles away...

So, what have we learned here? Always insist on two keys when buying a second hand car; and don't lose your keys!!