Master Key Identification- Help Please!

[Greg B]

LT,
Man, I give up on you. Every time I think I have this figured out you go and throw a wrench into the works. Unfortunately, I think I am too thick for this thread too!
GB

 

[Greg B]

Greg -
Hurray! A sharp drill came make it through even the thickest board (member!).

I reread the post and used the remote to trigger the lock, and the security light DID stay on constant. However, the grey valet key and the black master key BOTH cut the light off immediately -- in fact the light goes off as soon as the key tip is inserted in to the lock.

So, if this does indeed work for you guys, that means I have a "master" Valet key. Right?

thanks
LT

Yahoo! Glad to hear it does work then. Looking back at one of your posts, it looks like someone programmed your valet key to be a master. Unfortunately, I don't have a valet key to verify this. Does anyone have a regular valet key that they could check to see how long the light stays on? If we can get it confirmed then we can summarize the steps in one post for people to use to test their keys with.

 

[ff347]

This key thing IS confusing, I thought I had a grasp and now think that I have a "master" valet key. Thanks for the info on the "test", and then there is this!

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/pcworld/20050214/tc_pcworld/119661

 

[gopriest31]

OK, one last attempt to make this clear based on what I've learned- hope this helps!!!

ALL KEYS can be "master" or "sub" keys- this is dependent on the way each is programmed.

GREY NON TRANSMITTER KEYS: These are reffered to as "valet" because they can only access certain MECHANICAL functions, that meaning they are different by the way that the profile on the steel shank of the key is cut, to keep johnny acne face valet driver from riffling though the stuff in your glovebox! (like he'd want to steal my owners manual!!!)

ELECTRONICALLY These can be programmed as masters or as sub keys!!!

BLACK TRANSMITTER KEYS: MECHANICALLY, these, assuming they are cut the way they are supposed to be cut from Toyota, can open any mechanical lock on the vehicle.

ELECTRONICALLY These can also be MASTER or SUB keys depending on how they are programmed. The easiest way to tell is to insert the key into the ignition

TEST METHOD FOR ALL KEYS

RED SECURITY LIGHT OUT IMMEDIATELY: Master Key- Bonus!!

RED SECURITY LIGHT STAYS ON FOR ~ 1 SECOND AFTER INSERTING: You've got a sub key, hope for your sake that you have a master somewhere! Or, hopefully, your vehicle hasnt had the TOYOTA "goodwill" EG ECU replacement done yet- It is apparently tracked by VIN, not by owner, and its a one shot deal- They'll only do it one time per VIN, after that - you pay the big dough!

Best of luck to all affected by this - what a freakin nightmare!!!

 

[calamaridog]

Good summary. Some or all of this needs to go into the FAQ.

 

[gopriest31]

It appears that I may have actually added something of value to this board!

With that, what do I have to do to shed my rookie status! haha

 

[rule303]

Toyota screwed up by making the key thing too complicated. My Ford has a chip too but they don't have Master and sub keys, just masters. And why require the master to program? Why not just keep the code on file by VIN number and make them from that. Sure, a valet could steal your key, make a copy with a hidden programmer in his valet shack. But is that really likely? These are Toyotas, not Bentleys.

 

[poseidon]

Lots of talk about subs and masters; kinda gets me hot!

BUT I hear talk about the big bucks, what kind of $ are we talking about? I am looking at a cruiser and I want to know if I have to get a non-master key, what is this going to cost me in US $.

 

[AATLAS1X]

What if you have a new key that has the remote built in recently purchased from Toyota. Is this a master key?

If not what am I loosing by not having the master key?

Shane

 

[AggiePhil]

I have only have one master key for my 1998 LX470. The others are the gray valet keys.

If something happens to the master key, can the dealership make me a replacement on the spot?

If not, I guess it might be wise to get a replacement now, just in case (in which case, my next question is "how much?").

 

[Quade]

i just got my00 LC 100
It came with one key

there is no red security light next to clock where i've seen on pics online...or on dashboard!

does that mean mine doesn't have the security issue?

 

[PabloCruise]

i just got my00 LC 100
It came with one key

there is no red security light next to clock where i've seen on pics online...or on dashboard!

does that mean mine doesn't have the security issue?

I just found this thread, it looks like no one responded to your question. I would not be surprised if the Land Cruisers sold in the Nairobi market had a different immobilizer set up than here in the states.

Is yours a diesel?

 

[PabloCruise]

We recently got our LX470 and I was wondering getting an extra key. Where/How were the key codes distributed to owners? In the owners manual? On a little numbered tag with the key? I am not finding a code in any of the usual places.

 

[PADDO]

Small metal tag with a number sequence was provided and dealers can pull it up from your VIN too.

 

[Alohadmac]

OK, one last attempt to make this clear based on what I've learned- hope this helps!!!

ALL KEYS can be "master" or "sub" keys- this is dependent on the way each is programmed.

GREY NON TRANSMITTER KEYS: These are reffered to as "valet" because they can only access certain MECHANICAL functions, that meaning they are different by the way that the profile on the steel shank of the key is cut, to keep johnny acne face valet driver from riffling though the stuff in your glovebox! (like he'd want to steal my owners manual!!!)

ELECTRONICALLY These can be programmed as masters or as sub keys!!!

BLACK TRANSMITTER KEYS: MECHANICALLY, these, assuming they are cut the way they are supposed to be cut from Toyota, can open any mechanical lock on the vehicle.

ELECTRONICALLY These can also be MASTER or SUB keys depending on how they are programmed. The easiest way to tell is to insert the key into the ignition

TEST METHOD FOR ALL KEYS

RED SECURITY LIGHT OUT IMMEDIATELY: Master Key- Bonus!!

RED SECURITY LIGHT STAYS ON FOR ~ 1 SECOND AFTER INSERTING: You've got a sub key, hope for your sake that you have a master somewhere! Or, hopefully, your vehicle hasnt had the TOYOTA "goodwill" EG ECU replacement done yet- It is apparently tracked by VIN, not by owner, and its a one shot deal- They'll only do it one time per VIN, after that - you pay the big dough!

Best of luck to all affected by this - what a freakin nightmare!!!

By this test I have a "SUB" key. Talked to Toyota (service mgr) and they said there's no such thing. Only valet and master. No other variants. I went down to my local hardware store and had a new "chiped" key made for $75. Works perfect!

 

[PabloCruise]

Small metal tag with a number sequence was provided and dealers can pull it up from your VIN too.

When I was talking to Lexus about having a key made they said they could provide key code since I did not have the little metal tag.