Key question

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SHAGGY101

SHAGGY101

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Apr 13, 2010
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Location
Panhandle of FL
I recently purchased a 2000 LC. The dealer had two sets of keys for the vehicle. Upon purchase, he informed me that he could not find the second key and that he would mail it to me once he did.

Two weeks went by and the key arrived. To my surprise I pulled out the black monstrosity seen below. I was under the impression that the second key was a fob type.

In comparing the two keys I noticed that they were keyed differently and that each would unlock the doors and start the vehicle. The black one says that it contains a battery but for what? I do know that these keys have chips inside of them to start the vehicle but why are the keys so different and why did I not get a fob?

Thanks fellas
 
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The valet key does not have the chip. All others do otherwise they couldn't start the truck. Don't know what the key type is on the left in your photo but it is more worn than the one on the right...
 
Yes, they both start the truck. I also have a normal key from lowes that I had made which will crank the starter but will not turn it over due to the fact that it does not have a chip.
 
The dealer is being cheap. My local Toyota dealership quoted me $350 for a new key with key fob. I'm sure you received the key you have because they were trying to save $$. I would insist on the correct key, or at the very least a remote fob. A remote fob would actually be better because the key fob/key shell that is OEM is a terribly fragile design.
 
They're the same cut. The bigger key looks like one of those squeeze light keys, that may be what the battery is for. Where does it say that it has a battery in it? I don't see where you'd open it to put one in.

SHAGGY101 said:
why did I not get a fob?
Click to expand...

Did the dealer say the second key was one with the lock/unlock buttons or did you assume it was?
Capture2.JPG
 
I bought the vehicle from a honda dealership. By the looks of the key, it has been used for a while and is not new. It is my suspicion that the original was lost and that this is a replacement (the previous owner being the cheap one).

There is nothing to squeeze on it, it is just hard plastic with finger indentions. This picture may clear some things up. if you look closely at the ends of the keys you will see that the tips are different.

the fob was an assumption. You would think a $50,000 vehicle would have one.
 
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I would get a quote from a Toyota dealership for a remote fob, and if the price is out of line, an aftermarket one would likely be a better way to go. I think I paid $150 or less for an keyless entry system on an old Mercedes.
 
Toyota said a new fob would be $250 and just a normal key with a chip is $150.
 
SHAGGY101 said:
the fob was an assumption. You would think a $50,000 vehicle would have one.
Click to expand...

It had one (or two) new.

No idea what the battery is for on the other key. Crack it open and see what it looks like and where the wires go. What's the "S" brand name on the other side and key #? Google may turn something up with those.

I got my Toyota OEM fob key off Ebay for $70, cut for free. I got a transponder key (no buttons) off Ebay for $9, cut for free. There are instructions to program both in this section. If I had it to do over I would have installed an Autopage remote start kit.
 
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SHAGGY101 said:
Toyota said a new fob would be $250 and just a normal key with a chip is $150.
Click to expand...

Since you already have 2 working keys, all you need is to get an aftermarket keyless entry then. No reason to spend $250 for a fob, when you can spend $150 and get 2 fobs aftermarket. You'll be glad you have the keys you have, because many of us on here have broken their OEM key shells.

Here's a pic of what the OEM key with keyless entry looks like. Along with it is a pic of a metal key I'm using to circumvent the bad design of the original:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/388841-permanent-solution-weak-key-shell-problem.html
 
OEM key shells are available on ebay(or good copies of ones). I have bought at least 8 of them over the years for my 2000 LC. Yes they are cheap plastic and do break easily, but at least they hold the remote. I usually go to ACE and they charge $1 to cut the key.
 
I would assume that it came with one stock. Here are the inners. Looks like the chip.

I will definitely stay away from the dealer and look at other sources!
 
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mcwinery said:
OEM key shells are available on ebay(or good copies of ones). I have bought at least 8 of them over the years for my 2000 LC. Yes they are cheap plastic and do break easily, but at least they hold the remote. I usually go to ACE and they charge $1 to cut the key.
Click to expand...


8 KEYS! Wow, how long has each key lasted you? Sounds like you should have a metal one made like I did!
 
Ah, I get it. It's the lazy man's way of programming a transponder key. The Silca gear has a detector that pulls the signal from the car and then programs the chip in the key with that signal. So, rather than having to do 3 brake pedals, 3 unlocks, etc. and hope it works they can just do that.
 
i just wish it wasn't so big! It will definitely be my spare!
 
what if u lose you master key, is that silca good to make another master key out of it?
 
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