SOLVED... Wife stuck in NM Dealer says she needs new ECU for lost keys!

[jLB]

My take away isn't so much where to hide a key on the vehicle, it's more along the lines of make damn sure you have more than one master key. It really doesn't matter whether it is a broken fob on a keyring with a brass key, a hardware store clone, a Camry key, a brass key with a raw chip taped to it, or a factory master. Any "savings" you may have from not having an extra master can be quickly offset by locksmith/dealer fees if the only master is lost.

 

[Skidoo]

Skip using the mag mount hide a key, I have found a few on the trail that have shaken off.

 

[dodeebryan]

Anyone see an issue with keeping the secondary transponder key in the center console. Using a cheap locksmith key to hide under the LC. This will avoid the potential heart ache of losing or damaging the expensive key. Simply get the hidden key from under the LC, unlock the vehicle and get your tran$ponder key out of the console and be on your merry way.

 

[jLB]

Anyone see an issue with keeping the secondary transponder key in the center console. Using a cheap locksmith key to hide under the LC. This will avoid the potential heart ache of losing or damaging the expensive key. Simply get the hidden key from under the LC, unlock the vehicle and get your tran$ponder key out of the console and be on your merry way.

Stolen. Damn.

 

[re_guderian]

Boy scouts must've sunk in on me... 2 keys on every road trip. Every time... Glad it ended well for you.

 

[dodeebryan]

Stolen. Damn.

Ok so I read that thread...... Under the vehicle it goes! Thanks

 

[flintknapper]

Ok so I read that thread...... Under the vehicle it goes! Thanks

I just wrapped mine real well, it will be fine. But IF your spare is a 3 button or otherwise has a removable transponder, you could separate the two. Have the cut key portion under/on the vehicle and store the transponder/chip inside. You need only hold the transponder close to the ignition when you turn the key to start your vehicle, the chip is not used to run the vehicle.

I thought about doing that, but explaining that to my wife (who drives the vehicle) and having her 'remember' it, seemed an impossibility, so I just put a programmed spare in a safe place, wrapped up tight and securely fastened it. Hope to never need it.

 

[oftpiste]

Older thread I know, but thought perhaps my experience would be helpful. My son somehow lost the guts (not the key itself) to the one transponder key I had to my 2003 LC. Of course I couldn't find the valet key either.

I found a mobile locksmith in Seattle who specializes in car keys. For $125 per remote key and $75 per valet key I was all good to go. He connected some reprogramming gizmo to the ODB port and within minutes had all the keys working. No ECU reflash required.

I actually had several spare Denso shells that had been cut (quite well according to the locksmith) by a hardware store so we ended up putting the new guts into those shells, but his pricing included shells as well. The whole thing took less than an hour and I had 2 remote keys and one valet key made. He also threw in a plain, non-transponder steel key for door opening purposes only. It all ended up being way cheaper and less painful than I thought it would be from what I had read here.

Happy Holidays!

 

[skhochay]

I you do not have a MASTER key - you need ECU replace , one time for free by a dealer. You pay master key program .
But the weird part is that you will probably find you original key - woman have many compartments in their bags they can't possibly check all on them in one day.

 

[diego355]

The dealer can cut you a key and you can reprogram it in the parking lot.
I did it with my 98
They told me the same thing but I ignored them

 

[oftpiste]

I did not have my master key, that I am aware of.

I you do not have a MASTER key - you need ECU replace , one time for free by a dealer. You pay master key program .
But the weird part is that you will probably find you original key - woman have many compartments in their bags they can't possibly check all on them in one day.

 

[skhochay]

I did not have my master key, that I am aware of.

do have any keys? the key do not have to be with a foab , it is a black head plastic key , not gray, gray is a slave/valet key

 

[oftpiste]

Hmmmm. I had only mechanical keys that would open the door but not start the car. No transponder or remote keys when the locksmith re-jiggered everything.

do have any keys? the key do not have to be with a foab , it is a black head plastic key , not gray, gray is a slave/valet key

 

[cruiserdan]

I can't recall on the '03, but definitely for the 98/99 if you've lost all the keys, the dealer will cover the cost of the ECU replacement one time in the life of the vehicle. You have to buy the new keys, they cover the ECU. Pretty sure Toyota changed this as it's a big customer service problem if someone does lose all their keys.

I you do not have a MASTER key - you need ECU replace , one time for free by a dealer. You pay master key program .

Not any longer.

Toyota discontinued this program a couple years ago. They no longer comp ECU replacement for lost keys. The program was dropped in part because many independent locksmiths now have the ability to "crack open" the ECUs to get them into the programming mode.

 

[abuck99]

This RTH thread is 9 months old.

Maybe one of the Mods could change the thread title- so we dont keep thinking someone needs immediate support??

“Lost keys, new ECU required?”

Edit: Thank You

 

[cruiserdan]