I have a 98 gs300 & the only key I have is a valet. What options do I have to get a key made that will start the car?

 

not many options man... i have good news and bad news. first the bad news; your pretty much screwed. you can NOT make a copy of your key w/o a master key... if the ONLY key you have is the valet key, then you are going to need a new ecu for your car (from what i understand, its ~$2000) and then have it installed by the dealer (more $$) and then you will have to pay for 2 new keys (~$240 each). im not trying to scare you, but thats the ONLY option you have (or deal w/the valet key)...

now the good news (finally, right ) ; from what i understand, lexus will fix this for FREE if its the first time this has happened to this car in its history. i think that you are going to have to pay for the 2 keys though (so the total job will be ~$500)... DONT take this to the bank since this is what i have read before somewhere on this site but never actually had to deal with. good luck tho!!!!

 

Welcome to CL Your valet key should start the engine if that is your 1st concern-that key is only for unlocking the driver's door and to start the car, nothing else hence "valet". Your 2nd concern sounds like what varcity said-I'm not familiar with having to go to the dealer to have replacements. Basically, you don't have the master key with the factory alarm/remote. If you did, you can buy a spare and have that reprogrammed.

You should ask the previous owner if he has them laying around, and if not he's trying to sell those to make some extra bucks. Yeah, when buying used, you should check for all the keys to be there.

 

btw....never push teh key button directly below your coin tray on the left of the steering wheel. if you do so and you only have the valet key, you'll never again open your trunk or glove box.

just a fyi....

 

They can make a new key for you using your VIN, but you will still need a master key to program the ECU to start the car.

 

rmintenko,

Call your local lexus dealer parts dept and order a master key. You need to provide the full vin# from car. When you go in to pick up the key you will need to provide proof of ownership, driver's license, and the valet key. They will be able to program the master off of the valet key. This whole project will cost you in the neighborhood of $250 - $350, but it's worth it. Good luck.

 

really??? i was under the impression you can not program any key w/o the master key thats great if they can do that then!!!

 

I had the dealer make me a replacement key. Everything works , the car turns over but does not start. The dealer said because my key was not the master they could not make a key that would start the car. If I loose the key I have I will have to have the compurter replaced.
I was hoping someone would be aware of an alternative. A locksmith told me there is a machine now that clones keys exactly but it does not work for Toyota made vehicles.

 

What happened to the other keys?

 

The previous owner is deceased & the car was purchased with only one key. At the time I did not know how difficult it would be to get another made.

 

rmintenko,

please check your pm