Yet Another Story on the "Key"

[LoadCoil]

It has been awhile since I posted, so Hello again,

When I purchased my '99 TLC from my brother-in-law, he only had one key. He said he had another one but it was broken and may have tossed it. He promised to look for it and eventually found the key. It was a master just like the one good one I had. The electronics worked fine. I searched Ebay and found a shell with the Toyota blank. I called one of the local Hardware stores and was told they do not cut customer's blanks. Ok....called the locksmith and was told no problem. Ordered the Ebay key on Friday evening and got the key in the mail Monday (amazing shipping speed). The price was very reasonable at $25 plus $7.05 shipping from this Ebay seller. Took the key to the locksmith, had it cut, tried it out (it worked), put in the old electronics and now have a spare key. Locksmith only charged me $2. So, for less than $35, I finally got a spare key.

The only other thing I have done is replaced the power antenna (which I also bought on Ebay), changed the oil (Mobil 1), flushed and refilled coolant. I recieved the maintenance records showing the timing belt, serpentene belt, all rubber hoses, and new tires at 94K miles. I now have 124K and the truck is still tight as new.

Sure wish I could afford a new Slee bumper.

Here is a picture of my ride. Sorry, pic too big...

 

[SWUtah]

Very nice your baby looks brand new.

 

[mikesurfs]

Load,

Your '99 looks sweet. I wish my '00 looked that good. Your rack has a middle support and my rack rails are only supported on the ends...what's up with that?

Mike.

 

[Bongo]

nice!

 

[LoadCoil]

Thanks, I think it looks pretty good for the mileage. It does have a few parking lot blemishes, but body is still in good shape. Only thing that bugs me is the dirty engine compartment. I want to power wash it, but don't want to take the chance of getting the electronics water logged. I know I can put baggies on, just a little timid. I got a sweet deal on it too. Brother-in-law was good to me.

Not sure about the mid support. I just assumed it was standard. I have read several comments here about the spoiler that came with the LC, but the wind deflector I have does a great job of keeping the rear windows clear.

 

[SWUtah]

Thanks, I think it looks pretty good for the mileage. It does have a few parking lot blemishes, but body is still in good shape. Only thing that bugs me is the dirty engine compartment. I want to power wash it, but don't want to take the chance of getting the electronics water logged. I know I can put baggies on, just a little timid. I got a sweet deal on it too. Brother-in-law was good to me.

Not sure about the mid support. I just assumed it was standard. I have read several comments here about the spoiler that came with the LC, but the wind deflector I have does a great job of keeping the rear windows clear.

Take it to the dealer and have them clean the engine, then if they screw anything up they have to fix it.

 

[LoadCoil]

Excellent point. I may look into after my business trip to Tampa. I would really like to get the engine detailed. I always think a clean <inject any word here> is a happy <.....>. I know it would make me feel better.

 

[LXPearl]

Great find on the key. Nice LC too!

My LC had the middle support in its rack while my LX does not. Both were like that new.

I also like the LC wind deflector. My LX has it also (but painted) - I specifically looked for it instead of the bulky wrap-around fiberglass thing that is now available for the new LCs.

 

[LoadCoil]

Yes, I was pleased with the key. I love saving money when I can. The key even had the Toyota badging on it.

It made me nervous with only one key. While I traveled, the wife was using the LC because of the snow after the first of the year. We can't get the Lexus out of the garage when it snows. Losing a key with only one was not an option.

I didn't even know there were other supports on the roof rack than what I had on mine. It always amazes me what one can learn on this forum.

The wind deflector works very well and hides the satellite antenna. I looked for the antenna forever until one day I looked at the rack. Just the other day, I was cleaning out the back end and discovered two compartments in the rear. One is for storage and the other houses the radio amp and head. Live and learn.

 

[KathmanduCruiser]

I, too, have bought a LC with only one key. It is the one with the remote, which is good, but I am nervous about the prospect of losing it. In my car, there have been a time or two where I needed the second key to get in, so eventually such a situation will end up arising with the LC as well, I am sure.

I have bought a key on ebay that says it has the transponder on it. It is not the remote kind, but is a master key. Once I get that, I will get it cut and program it - that way, at least I will have two working keys. They guy selling it on ebay had good ratings, so hopefully, it works as he mentioned.

I wish that the vehicle had all the original keys when I bought it.

 

[TXLX470]

I, too, have bought a LC with only one key. It is the one with the remote, which is good, but I am nervous about the prospect of losing it. In my car, there have been a time or two where I needed the second key to get in, so eventually such a situation will end up arising with the LC as well, I am sure.

I have bought a key on ebay that says it has the transponder on it. It is not the remote kind, but is a master key. Once I get that, I will get it cut and program it - that way, at least I will have two working keys. They guy selling it on ebay had good ratings, so hopefully, it works as he mentioned.

I wish that the vehicle had all the original keys when I bought it.

transponder is not on the key blade or in the plastic. It is in the remote fob. If u want to double check remove the key fob from your current working key and try to start...it won't. And then keep the remote fob very close to the ignition and try...it will start. Had to find out the hard way

 

[KathmanduCruiser]

I know that the transponder is a seperate unit that is not in the key or the shell. The item's note did say that and had a diagram of a unit embedded into the key fob. Hopefully, it does have the transponder built in just like the diagram showed.

As for the transponder not being in the key blade or the plastic shell, I did the experiment you mention over the weekend. The starter kept churning and churning and the engine would not start. Once I put the remote unit back in the shell, it started again.

 

[LoadCoil]

I guess I was lucky the PO (my brother-in-law) had the second broken key with the remote (and obvious transponder) electronics. It worked before I bought the shell and blank on Ebay. The broken part was the plastic shell. You could not turn the key in the ignition without it trying to twist, thus putting pressure on the plastic shell. I thought about trying to glue it back together then thought better. The new solution worked like a champ and have never looked back.

 

[pablo3b]

key housing break easily

I bought a non-fob type key with transponder (they're cheap) and programmed it with my other master. It works fine. It starts the care but doesn't have the remote.

I also found an ebay vendor from Hong Kong who sells the blank key and housing for around $20 with shipping. Stamps from HK are cool.
I bought two.
Alas, the housing on the key breaks because it stresses when you turn. You can program the keys with transponder with the gas presses, etc. method.

WHat I would like is to find out how to reprogram a remote to lock and unlock the door. Has anyone done this before? THe instructions I used didn't work for me.
thanx
-PB