Key issues solved!

[more_boost]

Hey all, I don't post much here, but thought this would be worth sharing...

I had been trying to figure out how to get a new key made, and have been reading all of the key threads here. Subsequently, I walked into my local Ace Hardware store and saw that they have a sign saying that they can make chip keys, with a sensor to test if your key has a chip. I took my key over to the desk and asked if they could duplicate it, expecting an answer like, "no, those don't work with our system." Instead, the guy says it's no problem, and in less than 5 minutes I walked out with a new key. It's just a key without keyless entry or anything, but it tests just like a master key and starts the car fine. The keyless is no problem for me since my LC has an aftermarket keyless and remote start system. The Key brand was Hyko, and I think this is a general Ace hardware service... Hope this helps someone.

 

[driveforce]

Great to know. What was the cost?

 

[more_boost]

$72 including tax. Booyah!

 

[Kigiin]

Why so much for a plain key?

 

[more_boost]

It's a chipped key, reads as a master, works in the ignition.

 

[boombapslappy]

That's awsome. Both keys for mine are have broken cases. I have no problem using the key to unlock as this is the first vehicle I've ever owned with remote entry. I can do without. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Trunk Monkey]

$72?? I paid $9 off Ebay and did the brake pedal/pat your head dance. If you have a newer LC that has to be programmed through the dealer then this might be a better deal, if ACE can do the newer trucks.

 

[more_boost]

Ace did mine really fast, it was worth the savings in headache and plus I'm a bad dancer.

I think there are probably a lot of people like me out there who only got one key with their LC who don't want to shell out for a key from the dealer but don't want to run the risk of losing that one key and having no master key left. I didn't know about the ebay keys, but I have read some threads where people have been unable to get the key to program with the pedal dance.

 

[atlgapdo]

That's great information. Do you happen to know if they can do that with Lexus keys? I have only a subkey to my car and need to have a backup. I see Lexus key blanks being sold on Ebay so I am just wondering if Ace may be able to make them too.

 

[more_boost]

I would bet they can, it should be the same electronics. I would just stop and see, they had a big book and looked up the LC by year.

 

[Topmounter]

Ace did mine really fast, it was worth the savings in headache and plus I'm a bad dancer.

I think there are probably a lot of people like me out there who only got one key with their LC who don't want to shell out for a key from the dealer but don't want to run the risk of losing that one key and having no master key left. I didn't know about the ebay keys, but I have read some threads where people have been unable to get the key to program with the pedal dance.

That's definitely a lot cheaper that what I paid the dealer to make me a spare remote key that does nothing but sit in a drawer.

 

[more_boost]

Precisely!

 

[philthyphil]

Also check ikeyless.com. roughly $20 for a chipped key and $120 for the 3 button key. It comes with simple instructions on how to program. Toyota will cut for free.

 

[AATLAS1X]

Also check ikeyless.com. roughly $20 for a chipped key and $120 for the 3 button key. It comes with simple instructions on how to program. Toyota will cut for free.

Ikeyless.com Complaints - scam

Many folks are not happy with them.

Shane

 

[Desert Yeti]

I tried to take one to ACE and they wouldn't do it. They said I had to take it to the dealer...

I bought a $10 cover with a blank from Ebay, put my transponder(buttons) in it and Toyota cut it for free. Even let me keep a "test" key to make sure the cut from my VIN # was correct.

 

[philthyphil]

It sounds like ikeyless.com may be bad or maybe just a gamble, but they gave me what I needed and it worked. Sorry for posting bad beta, I'm new and just want to help. What is posted above would have swayed me to not use them.

 

[more_boost]

Desert Yeti, that seems very strange to me. Did they have the C3 Chipkey marketing stuff around their key cutting station? My Ace didn't even blink at me, just warned me that it was more expensive than a regular key and didn't have keyless entry buttons.

 

[madams557]

Ikeyless.com Complaints - scam

Many folks are not happy with them.

Shane

Add me to that list. Ordered two chipped keys from ikeyless.com, had them both cut at the dealership and they won't even unlock the doors!?!?! WTH. Asked Toyota to run them through the cutter again - still nothing. Thinking that the dealership might be screwing things up, I took the keys to a key shop and they ran them through their machine. Still won't even unlock the door.

I plan on call ikeyless today to bitch. Atleast if the chip didn't work, I'd have a key to unlock the doors, but they won't even do that.

 

[madams557]

School me up on keys, fellas.

So I called ikeyless and told the sales representative that I ordered two chipped keys and had them cut at the dealership, afterwhich, neither key would unlock the driver's door.

The sales rep basically said what I expected her to say - she blamed the dealership for cutting the key wrong. I then mentioned that I had take the keys back a second time ANd had a second shop look at the cut to see if it was wrong.

However, her stance is that if the key slides into the key hole, it should unlock the truck unless the cut is wrong.

Am I missing something? Is it possible that the key shank is too short/long or too narrow and not getting the full cut of the key needed?

 

[Dangerruss]

I have a question that I hope is not off topic. Are the LC keys outside cut or inside cut? I have a LX and my local ACE said they cain't help me and when I left my wifes Toyota at the dealer for service, the service advisor said that they also cain't help me with my Lexus key. I am tempted to try and find another Ace store, but if the keys are so different I wont bother.
Thanks Russ