mistereman

Hi All,

This is my first post to the forum after purchasing a 1997 LS400 a few weeks ago. It came with a full service history and is currently showing 211ks on the odometer. After scouring the forums I can see that this car suffers from the usual maladies that affect these models (heated seats and CD player not working). Other than that I am very happy with what has already become affectionately known as the BBC (Big Beige Car).

One thing that has surprised me is that both the alarm and transponder appear to be disabled. I discovered this when I went to have a spare key cut and found that I didn't need to enable the transponder on the new key. In fact, the locksmiths provided me with an additional transponderless test key which also works.

I'm aware that the alarm can be disabled relatively easily. Has anyone come across the situation where the transponder has also been disabled. I'm currently contemplating whether to re-enable one or both (primarily for insurance reasons).

Any feedback would be appreciated.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

where are you located? '97 model year ls400s had transponders but if you're outside the US it may be different.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Some questions: Is this a right hand drive? A JDM import? What is the production date of the car? The US spec LS400's were transponder equipped and I would suspect same for the JDM.

mistereman

It's a left hand drive New Zealand new vehicle. The owners manual lists all three keys coming as standard (Main, valet, and thin key) and that the locksmith where I had the spare cut had it listed as a transponder key. I'd be extremely surprised if they removed the transponder for the NZ market. If they did it would have to have been for Oceania. We just aren't large enough to justify special treatment.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

After doing a fair bit of research I've come to the conclusion that whether or not the '97 model year LS400/Celsior had a transponder key is dependent on the market it was intended for.

Conclusions:
USDM/CDM 1997 model year LS400s came standard with transponder keys, as did European general market LHD cars (possibly as early as '95 for these. Euro RHD cars did not have transponders).

Japanese market '96 and pre-change '97 (Japan goes by build year not model year) Toyota Celsiors (RHD), Gulf-region (LHD), and ALL RHD iterations of the LS400/Celsior DID NOT HAVE any transponder keys prior to the facelift for the '98 model year (build dates ~07/1997 and later).

As OP's car is a LHD car that does not seem to have a transponder, it is likely a "Gulf Countries" import or toyota's definition of Gulf countries includes New Zealand. If the OP would be so kind as to post his complete frame number/VIN I can confirm original destination market.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Good info PD.

mistereman

Thanks for that. Very good info and also made me realise that I'm clearly a little directionally challenged. We New Zealanders actually drive RHD vehicles. Given the info above that explains why there is no transponder in my LS400.

Good info for anyone looking to get a key cut. Transponder keys may not be necessary for pre-97 RHD versions.

On the bright side, the locksmith concerned decided to cut at transponderless key first to make sure that the cut was accurate so I now have two spare keys.

Thanks all for the information. One more thing to go into the brain bank.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

awesome new-to-me info here! does this mean all RHD countries (at the time) were much safer from theft?

plexus914

My 1997 LS400 - Euro - RHD (from the UK) has transponder keys. I know because I had to get a spare one and tried it without programming.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

the UK cars are weird, would you mind posting or PMing me the VIN/Chassis number so I can look into that please?

plexus914

Done.

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