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Yes, you would need a Mini-VCI cable and the Techstream software running on a PC laptop. You amazon link includes both, although you can get them on eBay for about $25.
I would recommend the .OVA file with the cable drivers already setup. The OVA file runs in VirtualBox sandbox environment so you dont need a dedicated laptop for it and you dont need to disable your personal anti-virus. Also allows MacBook owners to join the fun
Gonna give this a go when the card gets in. This is gonna be on a 2017 ES350, I think both of you guys are doing it on ES300h's so hopefully it will work.
Gonna give this a go when the card gets in. This is gonna be on a 2017 ES350, I think both of you guys are doing it on ES300h's so hopefully it will work.
Would like to report that I have the keycard and everything programmed!
It is working on a 2017 Lexus ES350 perfectly without any issues.
Special thanks to @tyleres and @NdYAG!!
For anyone else who may be looking to get the key card, the part number is (89904-30L50). I paid $239 for mine and picked it up locally through Park Place Lexus Grapevine. The guy at the counter let me know that this isn't the right key for my ES350 and that it wouldn't be compatible, but I told him it was fine and I am aware of it.
I ran into an issue using my M2 Macbook Air, with a USB-A to USB-C dongle, where it would have an issue connecting to VIM. I never figured it out.
I swapped to my work laptop running Windows 11, and followed the instructions there instead. I ran into an issue where the VM would not boot and would crash on the startup.
After a couple failed boot attempts, I tried the safe mode and ran under the "getco" username on the XP VM, and it booted into the desktop. (I AM NOT SURE IF YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE USING THIS!! YMMV!!!)
Double click on TechStream on the desktop and it should open. MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT CONNECTED TO ANY WIFI OR NETWORK WHILE YOU ARE DOING THIS.
Plugged in the OBDII Mini VCI cable I purchased on Amazon into the vehicle.
.
This cable went into a USB-A to USB-C Adapter into my Laptop that only has USB-C.
Ignition on with 1 click on the start-stop button. (no foot on brake, just click on start-stop button once)
On TechStream, click "Connect to Vehicle", it will take a second to connect. Another screen should popup where you have to select your car make, model, year, engine, and other options.
After that, it should change windows and then you click on "Body Electrical", then "Smart Access", then "Utility", then "Smart Code Registration". Follow the instructions there, and you should be good to go.
If anyone in the Dallas Area is looking to do this and may need some help, feel free to reach out through Private Message and I can try to help you either locally or through text.
Would like to report that I have the keycard and everything programmed! It is working on a 2013 Lexus ES300h perfectly without any issues. Special thanks to @tyleres and @NdYAG!!
Thanks for this. I work as a tech at a repair shop. I called our local Lexus Dealer today to get a price since we have an account with them. There price was 255 compared to Prestige at 235 shipped to Va!
The $18 key insert from eBay came in and it tested fine both in the trunk and the door locks.
Also discovered another big sticker on the key and removed it. This sticker is a part of the "F" appearance package - other lexus wallet keys do not have it. The card thickness got reduced by 0.3mm (it is 3.3mm now).
Can you post a link where you got your Metal Key Blank? I see many for the remote, but cant find any for the Smart Card.
Just had to replace the battery in my smart key card after a little more than a year. Looks like it has a shorter life than a regular fob. Or maybe my battery was weak to begin with. Anyway, the battery is not expensive and very easy to replace - so no biggie. The car warns you when the battery is getting low - so no need to wait until it fails.
Just had to replace the battery in my smart key card after a little more than a year. Looks like it has a shorter life than a regular fob. Or maybe my battery was weak to begin with. Anyway, the battery is not expensive and very easy to replace - so no biggie. The car warns you when the battery is getting low - so no need to wait until it fails.
I replaced my battery in August/September after a month of the low battery warning. I kept the spare battery in my car and have the mechanical insert so I wasn’t worried about it dying at a bad time.
Not sure if things have changed lately, but the suggested link to this ebay seller (101keys) does not seem to have a way to specify that i want the mechanical key for a wallet card key. If I tell ebay it is a 2015 300h, it says this (whatever this is) does not fit my vehicle.
Then there is this statement in the description EMERGENCY CARD KEYS WILL NOT BE APPROVED. I have no idea what they mean.
Am I missing something, or is there still some way to get an emergency key that fits?
Just write a message to the seller describing what you want and attach a picture of you fob key (and the key code if you have it). The smart card key insert is in the center of his item image.
TLDR: You're good to go.
