No master key. Only have a valet. How do I get a master? Ecu Flash? (2 Viewers)

[Jgavin1196]

Hey

I've searched the forum. I only have a valet key. I have two cut spares but now realize I cannot program them without the master. What are my options? New ecu? Ecu Flash? Looking for the least expensive option for getting a master. Thanks everyone.

 

[Sandroad]

One thread on this is in the FAQs.

Programming a Transponder Key for 99 TLC

 

[bucfl]

A local locksmith was charging me $150 for a new one.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

One thread on this is in the FAQs.

Programming a Transponder Key for 99 TLC

This is what I did. If your jumper motors are going bad, you'll need to make sure the lock cycles...this got fun with 3 locks going bad. Had to find 3 friends!

 

[labcab]

Cheapest option: eBay keys + DIY: Immobilizer Hacking for Lost Keys or Swapped ECU - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

 

[bwell]

Hopefully you purchased it from a larger dealership, and one that is associated with a Toyota dealer. From my experience and research(it has been a few years). You cannot program a new master key/transponder key without another one to enable the ecu to go into programming mode. Like I said, I might be wrong.

Luckily when I purchased my 2000, the dealership was also part of a company that owned the Toyota dealership a block away. You will have to do some research, but there is a TSB for a once in the life of a vehicle replacement of the ECU from Toyota if your 100 series is a 98-02 model I think...... It was a security measure/design flaw on the first generation of the 100 series.

Not sure what year yours is. But I bought my 2000 knowing that it had one key, happened to be the valet key also. Did some research on here about trying to have another key made, long story short I was able to talk them into eating the cost of a factory transponder key, and installing the $1600.00+ factory ecu for free. As part of the TSB they will install the ecu for free, and should program you a master key also as I'm sure they actually bill Toyota for the parts and labor anyway. If I remember correctly on the early 100 series the ecu only is allowed to program 4 different transponder keys ever. If you have a later model, I probably just wasted the last 10 minutes typing this out, but I don't know anything about them or the key situation.
The keys the dealer did get work, but weren't the exact correct one I'm pretty sure as I've never been able to get them programmed to utilize the lock/unlock/panic button.

If you did purchase one of the early models that is affected by the fascist security measures and are able to find the TSB I was talking about I'm almost 100% positive even if you bought used private party for example they will remedy the situation for you.

 

[costalcat]

I am not sure about your year but as @bwel notes if it is one of the early years then you need to deal with it through TSB.. With that said I only had a sudo master meaning that it was cloned and while it looked like a master security light wise I was never able to do the manual key programming. I had a locksmith with a programmer come to the house as @bucfl mentions it was $150 and he cleared the keys out of the ECU created a new master, programmed it and the fob and made me two more no fob keys.... Easy if they understand Toyota and Lexus..

 

[Jgavin1196]

Thanks for the replies. So far I have called Lexus and asked the if they'd give me a new ecu if I bought two keys deal. They said no but gave me a $200 credit for Lexus service. Odd but thanks! I've called a few locksmiths in town and found 2 that can reflash. One quoted me $385. The other $200 since I had my own keys. Going to wait a day or two and most likely go the $200 route. Just need to research the locksmith a bit.

 

[socalmtbiker]

Perhaps you can use techstream to help program the keys?

I recently purchased a key cut on eBay - and sent with program instructions. The key was able to control lock doors and close however the chip was not recognized by the car. I used techstream to recognize the new key. Your only allowed a certain number of keys but I think you can delete all the known keys and start all over. Try to look on you tube.

 

[Jgavin1196]

Perhaps you can use techstream to help program the keys?

I recently purchased a key cut on eBay - and sent with program instructions. The key was able to control lock doors and close however the chip was not recognized by the car. I used techstream to recognize the new key. Your only allowed a certain number of keys but I think you can delete all the known keys and start all over. Try to look on you tube.

Wow! That's amazing. One question though. When you put a key in and turn to on to communicate with the techstream does that key need to be the master or will the valet key still do the trick? Thanks!

 

[labcab]

Wow! That's amazing. One question though. When you put a key in and turn to on to communicate with the techstream does that key need to be the master or will the valet key still do the trick? Thanks!

I'm pretty sure it has to be a master. I attempted this and wasn't able to program another key. I have two keys with remotes, but they aren't masters.

 

[Jgavin1196]

I'm pretty sure it has to be a master. I attempted this and wasn't able to program another key. I have two keys with remotes, but they aren't masters.

Aaarg! I could program keys all day with a master!

 

[labcab]

Are you using the dash security light to verify that your keys are not masters?

 

[Jgavin1196]

Are you using the dash security light to verify that your keys are not masters?

Yes. The red light turns off after a few seconds when the key it put in. Also doesn't lock glove box. Also won't program another key. I've tried.

My biggest worry is I have one working key. Want to address before it's an 911.

 

[labcab]

You could always zip tie it to the ignition cylinder. Then your other keys will work.

 

[DuckLN]

My understanding is that you will have to obtain a new ecu. No other option if you dont have a master. Read the long thread about reprogramming.

Thus i have 3 masters

 

[socalmtbiker]

Wow! That's amazing. One question though. When you put a key in and turn to on to communicate with the techstream does that key need to be the master or will the valet key still do the trick? Thanks!

Wow! That's amazing. One question though. When you put a key in and turn to on to communicate with the techstream does that key need to be the master or will the valet key still do the trick? Thanks!

Wow! That's amazing. One question though. When you put a key in and turn to on to communicate with the techstream does that key need to be the master or will the valet key still do the trick? Thanks!

I'm not exactly sure: watching this when I did mine the guy mentions something about deleting all programs keys. Just a thought. Can you initiate techstream with a valet key? I'm not sure. If you can, then I suppose you can get into the system to delete all old program keys and reprogram the new keys. I NEVER did it just thought of the possibility when watching this.

 

[costalcat]

I'm not exactly sure: watching this when I did mine the guy mentions something about deleting all programs keys. Just a thought. Can you initiate techstream with a valet key? I'm not sure. If you can, then I suppose you can get into the system to delete all old program keys and reprogram the new keys. I NEVER did it just thought of the possibility when watching this.

I believe this depends on the year. 98 & 99 are no-gos. I have a 03, and while the one key appeared to act as a master, it was actually a clone. The locksmith used his programmer to do exactly that go in and delete all the keys. Then he made me three. My point is depending on the ECU and year, if you have the right tools you should be able to go in without the master and delete all entries ( I think it can hold 5 masters tops) and then program a master IF you have the right chip in the key. That is also critical because the one key I bought online and was trying to manually program would have never worked even if my other key was a master because it had the wrong chip which the locksmith also replaced and then programmed for me.