Hear from Our Customers
You’re standing in a parking lot, pressing buttons on a dead key fob, and nothing’s happening. Your car might as well be a paperweight. We get it—this isn’t just inconvenient, it’s infuriating.
Here’s what changes when you call us instead of heading to the dealership. You skip the appointment scheduling, the three-hour wait, and the $300+ bill that makes your wallet hurt. Instead, you get same-day service from technicians who’ve been programming key fobs since before your car was even manufactured.
Your fob gets programmed correctly the first time, with professional diagnostic equipment that won’t damage your vehicle’s computer system. You pay a fair price—typically $50 to $100 instead of the $150 to $500 dealerships charge. And you’re back to locking, unlocking, and starting your car like nothing ever happened.
The McCausland family has been solving lock and key problems since the late 1800s. What started with Charles McCausland Senior teaching his trade to his sons has grown into Delaware County’s largest locksmith operation, now run by fifth-generation family members.
We’re not the fly-by-night locksmith with a magnetic sign on a pickup truck. Our storefront sits right in nearby Prospect Park, where Upper Darby residents have been bringing their toughest key challenges for decades. When your neighbor recommends a locksmith, they’re probably talking about us.
Upper Darby’s diverse community—from the historic homes in Drexel Hill to the bustling neighborhoods near 69th Street—relies on us because we understand this area. We know the parking challenges, the commute pressures, and why you can’t afford to be without your car for three days while the dealership “orders parts.”
First, we figure out exactly what’s wrong. Dead battery? Programming issue? Completely fried fob? Our diagnostic equipment tells us in minutes what the dealership takes hours to determine.
Next comes the actual work. If it’s a simple battery replacement, we handle that on the spot. If you need a new fob, we either program one from our inventory or work with the replacement you’ve purchased. Our professional programming equipment communicates directly with your car’s computer system—no guesswork, no crossed fingers.
The programming itself takes 15 to 30 minutes for most vehicles. We test every function—lock, unlock, trunk release, panic button, remote start if your car has it. You don’t leave until everything works exactly like it should. No “come back if there are problems” situations.
Ready to get started?
We handle every type of key fob that rolls through Upper Darby’s streets. Basic remote fobs that just lock and unlock doors. Smart keys with push-button start systems. Proximity fobs that let you keep the key in your pocket. Transponder keys with security chips. Even those switchblade-style fobs that fold into themselves.
Your car’s make doesn’t matter—Ford, Toyota, Honda, BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen, whatever sits in your driveway. We stock the programming equipment for virtually every vehicle sold in the US market over the past two decades. The fancy European cars that make other locksmiths nervous? We program those too.
Here’s what Upper Darby drivers especially appreciate: we don’t judge your car or your situation. Whether you’re driving a 2005 Corolla or a 2024 Tesla, whether you lost your only key or just want a spare, you get the same professional service. No eye-rolling, no “why didn’t you come in sooner,” just solutions.
Most key fob programming runs between $50 and $100, depending on your vehicle’s make and complexity. That’s typically half what dealerships charge for the same service.
Basic remote fobs (lock, unlock, trunk) usually cost $50 to $75 to program. Smart keys and push-button start systems run $75 to $100. We give you the exact price upfront—no surprise fees, no “oh, your car needs this extra service” upsells.
Compare that to dealership pricing, which often starts at $150 and can hit $300 or more once they add programming fees, diagnostic charges, and whatever else they can think of. We’ve seen customers save $200 or more by coming to us instead.
Yes, we can program most aftermarket key fobs, but there are some important things to know first. The fob has to be compatible with your specific vehicle’s year, make, and model—not all aftermarket fobs work with all cars.
We recommend calling us before you buy anything online. We can tell you exactly what to look for and which suppliers tend to provide fobs that actually work. This saves you from buying a $30 fob that turns into a $30 paperweight.
If you’ve already purchased a fob online, bring it in and we’ll test it. If it’s compatible, we’ll program it. If it’s not, we can supply the correct fob and handle the programming—still for less than you’d pay at the dealership.
Most key fob programming takes 15 to 30 minutes once we start working on your car. The total time depends on what exactly needs to be done and whether we need to cut a new key blade.
Simple programming jobs—like adding a spare fob to your existing set—usually take about 15 minutes. More complex situations, like programming your only fob after losing all keys, might take 30 to 45 minutes because we need to reset your car’s security system.
We don’t make you wait around for hours like some places do. You can stay and watch, grab coffee down the street, or handle other errands nearby. We’ll call you the minute your car is ready.
First, don’t panic—this happens more often than you’d think, and it’s usually fixable. The most common cause is a dead battery, which we can replace in about five minutes for under $10.
If a new battery doesn’t solve the problem, the issue is likely with the fob’s programming or internal components. Sometimes fobs lose their programming after the battery dies completely, especially if the car sits unused for weeks. We can reprogram most fobs to restore full functionality.
In cases where the fob is physically damaged or the internal electronics have failed, you’ll need a replacement. We keep common fobs in stock and can program new ones the same day. Even for less common vehicles, we can usually get you back on the road within 24 hours.
Yes, we provide mobile service throughout Upper Darby and surrounding Delaware County areas. This is especially helpful if you’re completely locked out or if your car won’t start due to key fob issues.
Our mobile service includes all the same programming capabilities as our shop—we bring the diagnostic equipment and programming tools directly to your location. Whether you’re at home, work, or stranded in a parking lot, we can handle most key fob problems on the spot.
Mobile service does include a small travel fee, but many customers find it worthwhile to avoid towing costs or the hassle of getting their car to our shop. We’ll give you the complete pricing when you call, including any travel charges.
Absolutely, and this is one of the smartest things you can do. Programming a spare fob when you still have your original working key is much faster and less expensive than waiting until you’re locked out.
Most vehicles allow us to program multiple fobs, so you can have spares for family members or keep one as an emergency backup. The process is straightforward when we have a working fob to clone from—usually takes about 15 minutes and costs the same as our standard programming fee.
We recommend getting a spare made within the first year of owning a car, especially if you only received one fob when you bought it. Many used car dealers only provide one key, leaving you vulnerable if something happens to it. A $75 spare key today can save you hundreds in emergency locksmith calls later.
Local Resources
