Replacement keys -- how much?

[Andrew]

I've lost the master key for my '01 Solara. The valet key is fine for now, but if I lose that I'm screwed.

Toyota quoted me $78 to reprogram the system and $47 for a new key. Zoiks!

Does anyone know if I can have the transponder in the car disabled so I can use a standard key (and take my chances with the criminal element)?

Or... has anyone used an aftermarket key replacement company?

Thanks for any help!

[Sap Z]

well...u can always go ghetto n get a duplicate from wal-mart for $1.50

[Andrew]

It's a transponder key (I updated my original post with that info), so we're talking $120+. Blech.

[Solorange]

Im not totally positive, but i think i read once on here you that you can buy a key off ebay and program it yourself. That would cut your price more than by half. As for the remote i bought one off ebay and programed that myself.

[WTF??]

As for the remote i bought one off ebay and programed that myself.

yeah someone's gotta look for that thread on how to program the key and make it into a sticky!

I have a feeling i kno who's going to do this since he has sooo much friggin time and nothing else to do

[NeFaRiOuS_SLE]

My car was delivered with only the valet key, but CarMax took care of the rest since I only did step 1 (but I'm just saying what I would've done):

1. Go down to the Toyota dealership and ask to get a generic master key through your VIN# (without chip), which is about $7. I only did this to speed up the process, but I'm sure they are able to do it.

2. Get a generic key with a chip from Ebay and go down to your local locksmith to have it grinded (ground? Me suck at the English)

Note: I remember when CarMax was going to give me a new key, they said that they had to send the ECU to be re-flashed since a valet key can't serve as a master to reprogram, but then again there was another issue with the ECU.

3. Go to Toyota dealership to have ECU re-flashed to accept new master key(s). If the re-flashing isn't required, I guess you can follow the programming steps.

4. Since a car can have only a max of 4 keys programmed, make 3 masters and 1 valet. Keep 1 with you (of course; how else are you going to start the car?), 1 as a good backup, and hide the last one REALLY F***ING WELL, because it's better to spend a few minutes reprogramming new masters than to be stuck without your car/ECU for a week.

5. Remember the generic key you made? Try it now; you'll hear the engine crank, but it won't start. I don't know how to make it bypassible, but you should keep the transponder system active to make your car harder to steal, thus lowering your insurance rate with some companies. Also, it pisses off the dumb thief that can't figure out why the car won't start while you could walk up to him with your trusty .44 laughing your ass off and make Swiss Cheese out of the guy (Aim towards the window; don't want to ruin your interior).

[Andrew]

OK, an update: I found my master key. But now, having had the $140 scare, I want to make a duplicate with the transponder.

I *thought* that having the master would mean I could get a dupe for the price of a key, but I'm not sure.

Any suggestions for getting an extra master or two inexpensively?

[dominoSLEV6]

You could search for this, there's been a lot of topics in the past about it. However...

Get a chip key off ebay for about 20 bucks. I got mine from someone named aomehting liek "keyguy" who had like 10,000+ good feedback, just make sur eit's someone reputable. Then go to homedepot or somewhere ot get it cut cheap (my home depot did it for free).

Then follow these instructions...

While pushing in both the ACCLERATOR and BRAKE PEDAL:

Insert already registered key in the cylinder

Depress and release the acceleration pedal 5 times

Depress and release the brake pedal 6 times, and remove the master key

Insert the key to be registered in key cylinder

Depress and release the acceleration pedal 1 time (Security indicator blinks)

After 60 seconds, addition master key is registered (Security indicator is OFF)

-- To register another key, insert it, press the accelerator 1x and wait 60 seconds... repeat until done. Registration mode compeltes when pulling out the key within 10 seconds and the brake pedal is depressed or after the indicator is off 10 seconds pass.

Each step must be done with 10 seconds (some 15, but try to do it fast.)

These are what I found online, and sound slightly more confusing than the set I had to program mine, but I can't find those, so these should do fine. Although I think many of the key sellers on there send you instyructions to program your key. Also some say you need two master keys to do it, this is not the case, you need only one.

-chris

[Andrew]

If I didn't find something similar posted to a bunch of Lexus groups I would have thought this is a joke.

Cool beans -- and thanks!