Estate Work Can Only Be Done by an Authorized Person.

For whatever reason, I get a lot of referrals for estate work involving safes and vehicles. It is an area where a good working knowledge of the laws governing estate settlement is a must. When the actual owner has passed, it is necessary to make sure that the person requesting work (such as originating keys for autos or opening a safe) has the authority to do so. The greatest complications come from an estate where no will was written and/or when family members are in conflict over who should be the executor of the estate.

Vehicles In An Estate May Have Sat Unused For a Time.

The longer things drag out in court, the more likely it is that vehicles sit unused and unserviced. I have been called to make keys for cars that have sat for one or even two years without being started or receiving any services.

Just Sitting Is Not Good For A Vehicle.

It can be a real challenge to get these cars going again. Sitting for long periods of time, especially outside in the elements, is extremely hard on electronic components. Batteries usually fail completely by six months, and corrosion affects critical components such as the PCM, or Powertrain Control Module.

Several Steps Are Needed To Get A Car Running Again.

After having thoroughly established the person’s absolute right to have keys made for the estate vehicle, we need to figure out the path that must be followed to get the car running again.

A New Battery May Be Needed.

First, a new battery is required in most cases. Lead acid batteries that are completely dead for a couple of months usually are unable to hold a charge. A new battery will make life a lot easier, whether the car is to be used or sold.

A Can of Gas Treatment May Be Advised.

Second, gasoline can be a problem if the vehicle has sat for more than 6 months. The gas would benefit from a can of gas treatment, available at most auto parts stores. Failure to treat the gas can cause filters and injectors to clog and the vehicle to not start.

Running a Full Diagnostic Scan Will Reveal Problem Areas.

Next, a full diagnostic scan should be run, either by the locksmith (if he has the equipment and know-how) or a mechanic. If there are major problems that preclude cranking the engine, the diagnostic along with a quick inspection under the hood will usually be enough to determine the runability of the vehicle. Yes, all of this is before the locksmith makes the keys. This is to avoid having to program keys 2 or 3 times after the necessary electrical components are replaced.

Then, Keys Can Be Originated.

Even with all the preparatory work, there can be hiccups, but usually nothing that can’t be ironed out. Once the mechanical part of the keys is determined and the transponder keys (if applicable) are cut, programming the keys starts. If everything programs OK, then it is time to bring that car or truck back to life.

A Recent Job on a Car That Had Sat for 2 Years. . .

I recently did a Mercury Grand Marquis that had sat for about two years. It wasn’t located at the edge of the world, but you could see it from where the car was, so I had to “wing it.” I had no gas treatment and used direct continuous battery jump from my vehicle to the Mercury. The diagnostic scan revealed no serious trouble codes, so after programming the keys, I tried to crank it. After three cranking sessions of 15 seconds each, it fired off, and after 5 minutes it was running smoothly. It gives an old guy like me a thrill each time when one of these long dead vehicles purrs back to life.

Call Us at 618-466-9347 if You Need Keys for a Vehicle That Has Sat!

If you have a similar situation with a vehicle that has sat for awhile and you need keys made, give us a call at 618-466-9347. We can usually help you, but if for some reason we are not completely successful, we can point you in the right direction. We have diagnostic tools that will point out problems, and we can tell you whether you need a mechanic or whether a quick trip to the auto parts store may be enough. And you too can feel that satisfaction when a long idle vehicle comes roaring to life.