Hi,
I purchased a replacement key for my 1999 ES 300 yesterday at Ace Hardware for 40 bucks. I checked it before I left the store and the car accepted the key right away. Today, however, the car will not take the new key. I found on line, some instructions for programming a new key. The instructions say to press the gas pedal 6 times, the brake5 times, then put the new key in and the car will program it in one minute. But it will not work. My old key works fine, but when I try the new key, the car will not start. Any ideas on what I am doing wrong? Thanks. I'd sure like to have a spare key.

 

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...=129035&page=2

check that out.. near the middle of the page.. should help

 

Thanks RawGin, but that is for the remote, not the key. On the 1999 the remote and the key are separate items. I am looking for how to program the key. My remote works fine.
Anybody else ever programmed a replacement key?

 

Did you get ACE to make you a new key off the original? I was told they could not do that.

 

^Good luck with getting a key cut I believe only the dealership can do it.

 

How would you do this without the remote key

 

What do you mean? you only do that to set up a new remote, but if you don't have the remote then you cant do it. Maybe I am not understanding your question?

 

Best to go to the dealer. I ordered a replacement key from my closest dealer (250miles), gave them a copy of the registration showing ownership and vin, they made a new key and sent ups for $48.

 

OK, but the key still needs to be programmed, or it will not start your car's engine. An unprogrammed key will open the door and the trunk, and the key will turn in the ignition, but it definitely will not start the engine until the key has been programmed. The main way of programming a new key is by using an old master key that has been programmed previously and still works to start the engine.

Read this:
http://www.locksmithcharley.com/toyotapostflash.pdf

The second way to program a key (and the second most expensive), is to take the ECU (Engine Control Unit or Module) out of the car and have it re-flashed, like I did, at Locksmith Charley's.

The third way, and most expensive way, is to get a brand new ECU at Lexus, and have them replace yours and then make and program some keys... Lexu$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

All the need is the vin to program the key. Its not a problem. Mine works just fine in the ignition, truck and doors.

 

Well, then my 2000 ES's system must be different than your year.

 

Yes, that very well could be. Not sure if they changed systems from '97-'99. Godd luck with it though.

 

Bought my 2000 ES300 w/o remote key and was told by Lexus dealer it is $600 to get 2 new programmed keys, a new computer chip and I'd would have to leave the car all day. Declined... just hoping I don't lose the only key I have!

 

I don't have a remote and Larry is right. I need to program it to start my car. If you didn't know there's a chip inside every Lexus key to start the ignition to prevent thefts. So I was just asking if anyone knows how to program it without the remote/valet key.

 

Benbendx,

How are you driving the car now, if you don't have a remote master key or a non-remote master key? I guess then you must be using only a light grey valet key.

If a valet key is all you have, that happened to me after I bought my 2000 ES used in 2005. The salesman walked out and said, here's the only key!

But if all you have is a valet key, then you can not program a master key using that. You would either have your ECU reflashed, at a place like Locksmith Charley's (link above), or pay Lexu$$ to replace your ECU and have them cut and program new keys. They also always want to sell you remote master keys, meaning keys with buttons, whereas I myself have non-remote master keys, (which I ordered online), meaning keys without buttons, which are far cheaper, although they can't open the doors from a distance. No big deal for the cost savings.