chip keys help me!!

I have a 2004 dodge hemi. I think I am supposed to have chip keys. I lost my last set of keys and the dealership was going to charge like 200. Pop-a-lock would only charge 125. Pop-alock came and looked in his book and said that i did need a chip key. But he said that he would know if i really did or not if he made a regular key and saw if it would start. So he was able to crank it with a regular non-chip key. A friend later told me that i did need a chip key and that since I am using a non-chip key that my engine will lock up. is this true?? please help me

I work at a dodge dealership and it is easy to tell if you need a chip key. If it was a black key it doesn't have a chip and any key will do, if it was a grey key then there was a chip in it. New cars won't even crank without a chip key if they are designed to have one, but an 04 would start and cut off in about 3 seconds if it was supposed to have a chip key but you weren't using one. If it runs more than 3 seconds without a chip key you don't need one and it won't cut off because of the key.

I also work for Chrysler Corp. and I agree, If the vehicle was equipped with "SKIM or SKREEM" key, it would only start and run for a few seconds at a time and would eventually stop starting alltogether. You would then have to wait an exess of a half hour to restart (even with the correct programmed key). If your vehicle is starting with a basic key blank then you do not have a "chip". Also if you want to verify this call a local Dodge dealership and have them run your VIN to check the build configuration; options list, they can tell you everything that your vehicle is equipped with. hope this was helpfull... Oh, the lock up thing is not true, the key that you use to start your vehicle has nothing to do with your engine locking up. The computer will disable the output to the starter and ASD circuit but would certainly not LOCK UP your engine.

actually what would happen is vehicle would start and run about 10 seconds and then shut off do this 3 times and computer would go into theft mode and then vehicle would not crank then until u disconnect battery for 1 hr.