Buying a spare '99 master key. Maybe this will help someone?
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Buying a spare '99 master key. Maybe this will help someone?
I just purchased a '99 SC4 last weekend, and included with it was only one three-button master key. I read here that if you lose/break/etc. the only master to your car, it can cause all sorts of headaches and money. So, I did a lot of searching on CL here, and online... got a lot of contradictory prices and opinions on what and where to get a new key, get it cut, get it programmed, etc. So I'll share my experience.
I called Lexus, and they wanted $210+ for a new uncut 3-button remote/key. No way. I ended up purchasing one from www.ikeyless.com for $98. Received it in the mail today, two days later. Looked good enough. Good quality, nearly identical to OEM, sans the Lexus "L" on the back. Both are made by Denso... fair enough. I took it in to my local Lexus dealer, Lexus North Shore in Milwaukee, WI. after calling for an estimate. $10.50 out the door to have it match cut to my original.... better than the huge amounts I'd been reading about.
I used the included instructions to both learn the three-button functions and program the transponder chip for the ignition. Took all of 3 minutes. Voila. $108.50 and I've got a new key/remote. Both the OEM and the ikeyless version work from over 100ft away.
Here's a crappy cell-phone photo to show the differences between the two (or lack thereof). The new one is on the right. I'm just happy to have a spare, now.
.
I called Lexus, and they wanted $210+ for a new uncut 3-button remote/key. No way. I ended up purchasing one from www.ikeyless.com for $98. Received it in the mail today, two days later. Looked good enough. Good quality, nearly identical to OEM, sans the Lexus "L" on the back. Both are made by Denso... fair enough. I took it in to my local Lexus dealer, Lexus North Shore in Milwaukee, WI. after calling for an estimate. $10.50 out the door to have it match cut to my original.... better than the huge amounts I'd been reading about.
I used the included instructions to both learn the three-button functions and program the transponder chip for the ignition. Took all of 3 minutes. Voila. $108.50 and I've got a new key/remote. Both the OEM and the ikeyless version work from over 100ft away.
Here's a crappy cell-phone photo to show the differences between the two (or lack thereof). The new one is on the right. I'm just happy to have a spare, now.
.
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#9
i have the three button fob and two other keys.
the three button fob/key won't unlock the valet lock (where the trunk and gas release are).
safe to assume all my keys are valet keys?
the three button fob/key won't unlock the valet lock (where the trunk and gas release are).
safe to assume all my keys are valet keys?
#12
#13
Lead Lap
iTrader: (8)
What year is your car?
A locksmith can only make a new master key if you have a master key available for him to duplicate. You can have a dealer cut a key with the master cut instead of the valet cut, so that you can open the glove box, turn off the valet switch, and open your trunk. However just having a master cut won't allow you to start the car if your vehicle is a 98-00.
A locksmith can only make a new master key if you have a master key available for him to duplicate. You can have a dealer cut a key with the master cut instead of the valet cut, so that you can open the glove box, turn off the valet switch, and open your trunk. However just having a master cut won't allow you to start the car if your vehicle is a 98-00.