A few months back I picked up a 06 Liberty, but the owner only had one of the keys. I had a blank cut for opening the doors, but obviously need to have a second and third cut that will operate the vehicle. I called my dealership, and they need 120 to do a valet key, and 220 for one that operates the keyless entry. On the other hand, the local Ace hardware will make a valet key for me for 60 dollars out the door. If I have a valet key made, and then buy a remote keyless entry key from ebay and have it cut at the hardware store, can I use the newly created valet key and my original to then program the third key? I guess I'm wondering if there is any difference in the way a dealer would program a key, and how the hardware store does. I know in the past I heard the hardware store or home depot keys were just cloned keys, and as such aren't able to program additional keys...I don't know if that is truly the case though. I know I'm being cheap, but I'm wondering because I could end up getting a second remote key and the valet key for the price of just a valet key from the dealer. I asked Ace if they knew, and unfortunately the worker didn't know (they did however say they aren't allowed to program my remote access key if I bring it in). Thanks for any info!

I believe you need 2 working keys to program a new one. When I say working keys, I mean 2 keys that can start and run the vehicle. I think the owners manual tells the procedure. I'm going off memory, but I think you insert the first working key in the ignition and turn it to run for a few seconds, then remove the key and insert the second key and turn it to run, something happens, I think a chime and a light, then remove that key and insert the new blank key, and turn it on, and I believe A light and a chime lets you know the new key is programmed.
Without 2 working keys, I think you'll be stuck paying the dealer.

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2006 Black KJ Sport
31x1050r15 Nokian Vatiiva M/Ts
15x7 Cragar soft 8s
Skid Row engine skid
Skid Row gas tank skid
Hella 500s

Thanks for the reply and programming info. Ya, I definitely need two keys in order to do the programming. I guess where I'm confused is if the key the hardware store cuts and programs is just a clone of my current key (so if I start it up with my existing key or the new key, it will show up either way as being the original), or if the new key will register as the next key in the sequence that can start it up. What I heard in the past for other vehicles was that the car's computer looks at the keys and basically has a sequence of what key number it is (1, 2, 3...). The dealer's new key would be the next in the sequence, but the hardware store's key would just be a copy of the one brought in (so it would think that it's the same key). So I wouldn't be able to use the original key and the one the hardware store cuts to program a third, because the car just thinks I'm using the original all the time (and I need the two unique keys to program). I don't know if that is accurate or not though.

I see what your saying. I'm also unsure. Hopefully someone else will chime.

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2006 Black KJ Sport
31x1050r15 Nokian Vatiiva M/Ts
15x7 Cragar soft 8s
Skid Row engine skid
Skid Row gas tank skid
Hella 500s

Finally found out about the key, and they are in fact simply a cloned key. So if you only have one key, you should go to the dealer or a qualified locksmith who can also program the computer. From there you can buy a regular chipped key and have cut at the local hardware store and program a third key yourself. Hope that helps anyone else with the same question.