gls

This thread was very useful and I want to update it with what I learned.

Bought a 2007 LS 460 from the original owner that came with only one key (car is in great shape, only 25k miles, passed full Lexus dealership inspection with no issues other than a few paint scratches).

Bought a fob with a blank shank on ebay from a fob vendor in St. Pete, FL. Did the research to ensure that the fob key was an exact match. Replaced the fob battery with a new one.

Went to the Lexus dealership on Clark Road in Sarasota, FL. Their attitude was clearly that they did not want to program a key they did not sell, even at their hourly rate plus $50 for a shank. They indicated several times that they were not sure they could handle. They offered to sell a new fob for $350+.

I asked them to use the "all keys lost" procedure to ensure success.

After 15 minutes of waiting, the service rep told me that "Lexus changed the procedure for All Keys Lost. Dealerships must call into Lexus to get approval, which is a very complicated process and could take hours. The price would be much, much more than an hour or two. They could try to program the key using another method, but there was no guarantee that the key would work and that they would still charge from 1 to 2 hours of labor, whether or not successful."

I passed.

I found a locksmith in Tampa who handles reprogramming Lexus fobs. He could handle but he referred me to a locksmith that was closer to me (Bradenton) who also handles fobs.

That locksmith would reprogram the fob and cut the blank shank for a total of $80. The fob reprogramming took 20 minutes - no problems. The length of time that this takes is the reason it's important to install a new battery before you attempt reprogramming.

The blank shank was not an exact match and would not work (the locksmith called his machine's tech support line for help). The locksmith ordered a blank shank and will cut it when it arrives.

escapedcon

curious, are those available in the US and can our cars here use them?

I know they use them in the middle east countries

greg3852

Yes. It's called a Smart Card. I have one for my 460. It is from an LS600h. Same as with a regular fob, you have to make sure you get the right one. Got mine used from ebay for 99 bucks but I think I got lucky.

Best purchase I ever made. I have a programmable door lock on the house and the smart card in my wallet, so I carry no keys ever.

escapedcon

funny you say that about the programmable door lock on your house...just installed our new front door this past weekend and we installed a biometric/keypad door lock (Samsung SHS-H700)

in any case, I have something new to look forward to now...need to find me a smart card!

do I just need to make sure it's for a 2008? (my car is '08)

escapedcon

ouch $294: http://lexus.sewellparts.com/accesso...2008/2689.html

or ebay at $275: http://www.ebay.com/itm/LEXUS-LS600H-WALLET-KEY-CARD-REMOTE-89904-50830-SMART-KEY-TRANSMITTER-ELECTRICAL/171239629257?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D26215%26meid%3D56822ee505ef4fbb9aae0409388bd72d%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D10926%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D400670086676
you weren't kidding when you said you got a deal at $99

escapedcon

Ordered it from Sewell for $216 including shipping with the CL discount.
http://lexus.sewellparts.com/accesso...2008/2689.html

Part # confirmed by my local dealer for my 08 LS460 is 899004-50642 (they checked it against the VIN #)

greg3852

If its new you should be able to program it yourself using tech stream. If not, you have to get it programmed to your car.

But it is fantastic not ever having to carry keys again. You will love it

riknchar

I paid $153 through Sewell for my Smart Access Card (for my 2008 LS600hL). I see the price has risen to $168 today (using the Club Lexus Discount), which still seems worth it. I think for some reason the specific smart card needed for the 2008 LS600 is cheaper than some of the others, though.

For what it's worth, I absolutely LOVE never having to carry a key, and being able to simply walk up, open the door, hit the button, and go. I've been very happy with the purchase of the Smart Card...

escapedcon

yh, can't wait for it to arrive...only question is: does it come with the physical key too?

or do I need to purchase that separately? (from what I can tell this would be the case..)
http://lexus.sewellparts.com/oem-cat...S460-2008.html

roadfrog

I will always carry the FOB with me and use it all the time to open my trunk when I approach with an arm full of groceries or my duty bag and vest etc....I guess I'm one of the few who find the card more of a novelty than anything else.

Vansibel

When I bought my second ls600hl the original owner lost his wallet key. Since I still had all my 3 previous ls original keys (including the wallet one) I went to the dealer and asked them if if was possible to program my used wallet key to work with the new car. Dealer said that it was not possible unless they physically remove the related module from the car and replace it. Seems like a pretty costly endeavor. So he quote me 700$ for a new wallet key (including the small metal one which was a 53$ extra). I just got the car and was too lazy to do my research so I just gave em the green light. The funny thing is that I had a warning about the pollen filter and after quoting me around 153$ for both filters (not including labor) the guy said "oh but don't worry, we'll visually inspect them to see if they really need to be change, we wouldn't want to charge our clients for stuff that really don't need to be replaced". Learned the hard way, bought a techstream cable for 50 bucks on ebay after that to do this kind of stuff myself. Those dealers...

greg3852

Ouch..The used ones cannot be programmed by Techstream, but have to be done differently. While it can be done, most dealers don't even know. It has to be a lost all keys program. You have to have all your keys with you and they reprogram them one at a time.

Dealers can be terrible.

freemurray

I called the dealer about my key fob today and they wanted $200 for the fob and $123 to program it.... I also asked about updating my NAV and he said $169 and it was a disc or $169 plus $200 worth of labor for them to do it..... they should be wearing ski masks.

Herrin Gear of Jackson MS

R Z

They do. You just can't see them.

tofuprod

Sorry to bump such an old thread - hopefully someone can help.

I have only one key fob (master key) for my 2013 LS.

I called the dealer and they said to provide another master key with programming and cutting, is about 430 out the door. (306 for key, 46 for cut, 80 for programming)

To me it does seem a little high so I researched within this thread but am getting confused..

Getting a key cut isn't so much a priority but it's a plus, however getting it programmed so it will lock, unlock the doors and trunk as well as starting the vehicle, etc.. is critical.

If I'm reading this whole thread right you're saying as long as I buy a used key fob on ebay or something, with a matching FCC number found inside my current key fob, it can be reprogrammed at lexus for only the 80 dollars they quoted me?

I called Lexus down the street and the service guy seemed a tad confused but perhaps I just wasn't explaining myself right, he did say I could buy another key fob off of ebay but says it may not be guaranteed to work.

If anyone can please verify and chime in on the above, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.