jda2000

First post here: Hi community!

Just bought a used 2014 ES 350 that came with only one smartkey.
The local dealer wanted over $300 plus tax for an extra one. I did some research online and found out that a new smartkey can be registered to your car using the techstream software and VIM OBD2 gadget that comes with it.
Bought the gadget and software version9, on amazon for 23$ shipped. I also got a new, virgin, smartkey online from a lexus dealer for $136.
I will tell you that programming that new key to my car was relatively easy. The money saved over the dealer, paid for the VIM OBD2 tool and more. I don't know if reprogramming a used smartkey off eBay would work the same, perhaps someone else would jump in and state that it is possible,

From my reading, this tool is great for many other tasks, including erasing fault codes, but reading toyota/lexus specific codes, resetting air bag lights and reading codes for the other computers in the car.

Just wanted the community to know .
Cheers,
John

bc6152

As one of many members here that thinks dealer prices are much too high, I thank you for the information and
I'm sure someone can utilize it. FYI there are numerous members that already have the Techstream and other tools to read codes.

TechNut

Good to know. Thank you for the tip and congrats on the car.

s9211

This is good information. Thanks for sharing!

jda2000

Can anyone jump in and tell us if a used smartkey, off eBay can be reprogrammed as easy as a new, virgin key with the techstream software and VIM tool.

It would be nice to know for the lexus comminity.

rrr757

Has anyone had luck reprogramming a used smart key using techstream and a vim tool. I am looking to add an additional smart key?

Lodidian

I recently bought a new 2014 ES 350 from Lexus dealer. The dealer told me it comes with only two smart keys. Is this so?

jollick

Yes I have purchased many Lexus vehicles new and you are given 2 smart key-fobs.

Mike728

^^ Agree Does any manufacturer supply more than two sets of keys/fobs?

jda2000

Has anybody on this board reprogrammed a used key fob bought off eBay?

inquiring minds would like to know

rrr757

Thanks John for the information you provided. Here is my feedback from what I learned.

Got the ODBII cable on ebay with drivers, etc..
Got a new never programmed key from the same ebay dealership you used.
With TIS was able to register new key in under 10 minutes.
To add about to order the metal key insert from ebay as well. This way will have complete key under $200 w/ extra stuff

Agreed its amazing that the dealership charges so much to do this.

Showed I had 2 keys programmed and 5 available spaces left.

I chose not to get the used fob because the dealership with VIN was able to verify which remote, which was different than the ebay listing had on it. Trying to figure out compatibility and possible headaches I didnt want the hassle of the used one and was chicken to erase all registered keys and re-register them.

sorry, no help in the reprogramming a used fob. I really wanted to try it, just didnt have the time to try and mess with it.

Thanks again John.

jda2000

Update. I was able to reprogram a used smart key using the same gadget mentioned in my original post.

So to emphasize: IT IS POSSIBLE TO REPROGRAM a used smart key bought off eBay.
Enjoy