Francis' Keys

2019 Toyota 4Runner – All Keys Lost

Started the morning with an all-keys-lost situation on this 2019 Toyota 4Runner.

We were able to originate a new key, program it to the vehicle, and get our customer back on the road without a trip to the dealership.

Thanks for choosing Francis’ Keys, and drive safely!

Francis’ Keys
Automotive Key Specialist
📍 Serving Frederick, MD & surrounding areas
📞 301-682-1639

🔑 Another customer back on the road!

This 2014 Hyundai Elantra came to me with all keys lost (AKL).

I originated and cut:
✅ New flip key with remote
✅ Spare mechanical key

Having a spare key can save you from the inconvenience and expense of another all-keys-lost situation.

Whether you need a replacement key, a spare, or you’ve lost your only key, Francis’ Keys specializes in automotive key cutting and programming throughout Frederick and the surrounding areas.

🚗 Mobile service available.

Francis’ Keys
Car Key Specialist • Automotive Locksmith

(Graphics contain AI-enhanced imagery for illustrative purposes.)

🔬 Automotive Locksmith Spotlight: 2013 Subaru Legacy

Not every key is a simple cut-and-program job.

This 2013 Subaru Legacy owner wanted a modern XHorse flip key. The board came with a factory-installed transponder that wasn’t the right solution for this application.

Instead of giving up, I:

✅ Used hot air rework to carefully remove the factory transponder chip.

✅ Installed an XT-57 Super Chip.

✅ Built the flip key from scratch.

✅ Cut, programmed, and tested every function.

Result?

🔑 Lock, unlock, trunk release, panic, and—most importantly—the vehicle starts and runs perfectly.

Modern automotive locksmithing is about much more than cutting keys. It requires electronics knowledge, soldering skills, programming expertise, and the right equipment to solve problems when off-the-shelf solutions don’t fit.

That’s the kind of work I enjoy.

Francis’ Keys
🚗 Automotive Locksmith
📍 Frederick, MD & surrounding areas
📞 301-682-1639

(AI images used for illustrative purposes)

Here's something we came across recently. If you own a Hyundai or Kia with a flip key, check the blade integrity of your fob. These blades have a tendency to either stretch a bit or the roll pin becomes a problem.

The result? Loose blade. But here's the Francis' Keys difference. Dealers and other key places will just tell you that the whole fob needs replacement, costing you a couple of hundred dollars.

Not true. We have the roll pins and blades and can repair the fob for a fraction of the cost of an outright replacement.

As with our sister company CDC Cellular Repair Services, LLC , we have never been interested in making money for the sake of making money. We want to provide the correct solution to your problem and do so at prices that are fair and realistic.

Might as well join in on the fun...

Received notification of this. AUTEL will be requiring NASTF licensing in order to use their devices for immobilizer work.

I've mentioned the various unscrupulous operators in the industry and this will potentially w**d out the people who aren't trustworthy.

The great news is that Francis' Keys is a proud member of NASTF and is already compliant with this upcoming requirement. This is good news for Frederick County residents as you can be assured that our services meet the highest quality standards in the industry.

SDRM Resource Center | Autel As the automotive industry continues to address growing concerns surrounding vehicle theft and unauthorized vehicle access, new security measures are being

Just a little fun today for everyone. We’re really hitting the vacation season now and lots of you are hitting the planes, trains, and automobiles. Let’s talk the latter.

Do you fine people know what the Delaware Cheat Code is? That stinkin’ toll booth is a real drag. Thus the Delaware Cheat Code is your antidote.

When traceking north on I-95, dip off at Route 279N. Go about 2 miles, make a right onto Route 4, take that to Route 896, make a right and…

POW!!!

Missed me!

We now return you to your regularly scheduled program.

Slightly AI enhanced photo but fun. The real photo is amusing because the little kid in the back seat? That's me! In addition to that, my Dad (1936-2013), my Mom (1935-2023), and my Sister are all in the photo. And the star of the show? Our 1977 Honda Accord purchased new at Pitcairn Honda in Langhorne, PA, now Mike Piazza Honda. Amazing car, way ahead of its time with its legendary CVCC engine.

But a quick reference to Honda. More modern ones with the high security key weak spot. The ignition lock has a tendency to wear out. Dealer repair costs are astronomical and often repair shops will have trouble with this repair. I've seen some with multiple keys and so forth, and then there's programming and cutting which can get messy.

I can repair the ignition lock on these vehicles. It's not cheap but less than dealer options, usually in the $350-$450 range, but I earn every penny of it. It's important to understand that the repair of the actual locking mechanism is the easy part. It's the removal and re-installation that is a beast. The lock and housing are clamped to the steering column using shear bolts. They are EXTREMELY hard to remove and take time to do. And getting them back on is just as difficult. It can be done with patience, but note that it's a couple of hours of work sometimes. But I'm experienced with it.

https://www.wbaltv.com/article/baltimore-keyless-car-theft-relay-attack/71564842?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&fbclid=IwZnRzaASYPV9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeeAbjoIPdV_0WwRAf940-FJ6bC94W_AH6eTL-4XC6NuQBlfYgE6oO1cinHSw_aem_TIPdCAz-EhsMYi7bJIpbxw

This is how thieves are using tech to quietly steal your car Car thieves now have the high-tech tools needed to quietly take your car.

Another successful immobilizer and ECU job completed on a 2003 Toyota Avalon.

When all keys are lost, some vehicles require more than standard key programming. In this case the ECU was removed, read, and programmed to create a working key.

Francis’ Keys specializes in automotive key replacement, transponder keys, remote keys, smart keys, and advanced immobilizer solutions.

📞 301-682-1639

Frederick, MD and surrounding areas.