gsnav

I was wondering if you guys know, i don't know where my spare keys are, prolly somewhere stuck in my garage but too much stuff in there to find it, can i just get a spare key and have the chip reprogrammed? Thanks.

biggie27

from what Im told ( not sure though ) is that if you do loose your keys, you need to change the whole setup, the bad part about this is that if you do eventually find your keys there gonna be useless, the good part is lexus will pay for everything except labor and programming the keys ( which will run between $400-$600 at the dealers )

BkInBlk

It's not necessary to have everything re-keyed. Each car has a code assigned to its key. Any lexus dealer can go into their system, get your key code and order you a replacement key. As to the cost, I don't know - but it is probably not cheap.

BananaGS

let me set this straight one more time:

Lexus can order you a key, any key, just give them your VIN number
price per key (with the remote built-in) is around $180 at my local lexus dealer.
you can also order the valet key which does not have the remote and can't not start the car.

(only the key with the remote build-in can start the car, called it master key)

programming the new key (the remote build in key) so it can start the car is $40, but alot of dealer do it for free , w/o programming, you can only use the remote to open the door, but you can't start the car

you don't program the valet key, just the master key (the one with the remote)

in order to program a new master key, you have to have an existing master key "already" (master key, that you are using to start you car now)

if you don't have any existing master key, then you are looking to spend mucho money to replace the Immobilization unit in the car, ie replace the ECU ($800 sound right)

Anh

RealMarty

gsnav

Does that mean that i can buy a guy's key off ebay and have it reprogrammed? Thanks.

TLEX

Yeh, I kinda have the same problem. I lost my master key and now I only have the valet key. It can only start the car and cant open the trunk. I dont want to spend hundreds of dollars to replace the master at the dealer.

How can I have a new master key cut when I don't have the original?

lex430

If you lost BOTH of your master's keys, then the only way to have it replaced is to replace the entire immobolization unit like banana said . and that will cost ya!

eppan

I want to know how many master and valet keys they actually give you with a new immobolization unit.

If you think about it...it might actually make sense to get a new unit if you have lost both master keys...renders the lost keys useless.

Also, I was pissed when they only guaranteed two keys for a CPO lexus. On top of that it was only one (1) master and (1) valet. Hey where are the other keys???? (probably on ebay .. eek: )

It takes them about 10 minutes to program a new remote/master key and forever to wash the car.... .... should have said no to the complimentary car wash. Geeez:

Either ways... please let me know what u find out. Thanks and Good Luck!

eppan@yahoo.com

redgs

One thing the tech recommended to me was to convert my Valet key into a Master key (I only had 1 master and 1 valet at the time) as a backup. Only took 5 minutes, the chip inside is the same, just different programming.

DevilDog

No, that would mean that the guy on ebay is selling a key cut to your car. What are those odds????

DevilDog

This can only be done on older cars. 2001 models: the engine ecu knows what kind of key is in the ignition.

DevilDog

On your model car, the engine ecu IS the immobolizer. It's built into the engine ecu. If you lose all your master keys your ***********. But since lexus has seen this as a big problem, they will buy the engine ecu for you. But you must buy the new keys and pay for the install and programming.

DevilDog

Your in the same boat. If you really want new master keys you need to go to your dealer. Tell them you lost all your master keys. They will call customer sat and order you a new engine ecu. But YOU must pay for the new keys and the install.

TLEX

Thanks for all the info guys.