99LC Key Question

[ntsaint]

Apologies up front for the new thread, but i'm headed out tomorrow to buy the rig, and this is my only remaining question:

The key it has looks to be one of the original keys, but NO keyless entry buttons, panic buttons, etc.

See attached pic. How do i tell which type of key this is (master, valet, etc), and what I'm going to have to do to get one with the remote in it?

Thanks,

 

[2000UZJ]

If you put it in the ignition and the security light stops blinking its a master.

good luck and congrats man.

 

[ntsaint]

If you put it in the ignition and the security light stops blinking its a master.

good luck and congrats man.

Thanks man, will have them do that tomorrow for me. If it's not a master, I assume I'm just SOL on the keyless entry then?

 

[re_guderian]

Thanks man, will have them do that tomorrow for me. If it's not a master, I assume I'm just SOL on the keyless entry then?

No, you should be able to get and program a seperate keyless entry fob. The "master/valet" ignition portion of the key is seperate, and needs to be programmed seperately from the keyless entry part. The real kicker is if that is only a valet key (can't tell just from looking, you have to check as described above). If thats the only key, and it's a valet, you can't make new keys that will work in the ignition. You can unlock the doors, but that's it. Not start. You'd need to have the dealer replace the ECU, or send it to be "flashed" in order to make new master keys. Something to keep in mind on final price negotiations. Nether option is cheap. Toyota will only replace the ECU once, and then they require you to purchase keys through them and pay them to program them. Third part flashing is cheaper, but takes longer, and inherently riskier, though I've never heard of one going awry. Best case, that key is a master (make sure the light goes out IMMEDIATELY) then you have a path to key-happiness. If it's only a valet, I'd knock a grand off my asking price, easy - just because of the cost and pain involved in getting a couple of backup keys made.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Another option- If its not a master, zip tie the valet key to the ignition behind the dash plastic. Then make all the keys you want for 89 cents each

 

[re_guderian]

There's always that option - but not before knocking a grand off your asking price for the future "pain and suffering" of having to make a new master...

 

[ntsaint]

Ok, so I'm not going until tomorrow, but had the car salesman try the key in the glovebox. Does not work. But, he says the says the security light goes off as soon as the key touches the ignition.

Who knows...

I guess I will have to call and see about my ECU replacement options. Anybody have that number direct to that department?

 

[Trunk Monkey]

It's through your dealership. Some peeps have reported that Toyota (through the dealer) has granted them a one time ECU replacement because of the keys. There was a guy that could flash the ECU and set it to program a new master, don't know if he's still in business. Search for that info.

The security light will go out, the key has a transponder in it, it just won't open the glovebox if it's a valet key (which it sounds like it is).

 

[re_guderian]

Locksmith Charlie...

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

It's through your dealership. Some peeps have reported that Toyota (through the dealer) has granted them a one time ECU replacement because of the keys. There was a guy that could flash the ECU and set it to program a new master, don't know if he's still in business. Search for that info.

The security light will go out, the key has a transponder in it, it just won't open the glovebox if it's a valet key (which it sounds like it is).

Not always the case....my valet key WILL open the glovebox. The only sure way to be sure you have a master is to have the key checked by a locksmith/dealer.

 

[options2]

Not always the case....my valet key WILL open the glovebox. The only sure way to be sure you have a master is to have the key checked by a locksmith/dealer.

I think you are confusing two different things. A master programmed key to the ignition could still have a physical cut of a valet key, and vise versa.

So in your case it sounds like its not programmed as a master to the ignition, but it has a physical cut of a master key.

I had the opposite when I bought my truck. Both of the keys that came with the truck did not have the keyless buttons either. However they were both programmed as master ignition keys, and neither of them would lock the glovebox.

In spite of all this I was (with knowledge from this board) able to buy a FOB key, program it as a master, program the keyless, and it was a master cut so it works on the glovebox.

To the OP, check this out. This is how I was able to get mine programmed.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series...ing-transponder-key-99-tlc-5.html#post4920748

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I think you are confusing two different things. A master programmed key to the ignition could still have a physical cut of a valet key, and vise versa.

So in your case it sounds like its not programmed as a master to the ignition, but it has a physical cut of a master key.

I had the opposite when I bought my truck. Both of the keys that came with the truck did not have the keyless buttons either. However they were both programmed as master ignition keys, and neither of them would lock the glovebox.

In spite of all this I was (with knowledge from this board) able to buy a FOB key, program it as a master, program the keyless, and it was a master cut so it works on the glovebox.

To the op, check this out. This is how I was able to get mine programmed.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series...ing-transponder-key-99-tlc-5.html#post4920748

My valet key is cut like a master, will lock the glovebox but cannot be used to duplicate an additional key. This was verified by LockSmith Charley who is tops in this area and one of a very few that can reflash your Toyota computer and produce new master key even if you never had one.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Interesting bit about not putting the ring over the key too.

 

[options2]

My valet key is cut like a master, will lock the glovebox but cannot be used to duplicate an additional key. This was verified by LockSmith Charley who is tops in this area and one of a very few that can reflash your Toyota computer and produce new master key even if you never had one.

So in your case it sounds like its not programmed as a master to the ignition, but it has a physical cut of a master key.

Yeah, thats what I was getting at. Of course if its not programmed as a master, then you can not use it to program more keys.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Yeah, thats what I was getting at. Of course if its not programmed as a master, then you can not use it to program more keys.

Wasn't sure we were on the same page.