Hey what's up to all GS people out there. I am a proud new owner of a 99 GS. man what a car and I love it. However, I got the car with only one key. a Sub key at that. I call the dealer and they give me the old ecu replacement crap. so I need recommendations and who does the ecu reflash otherwise I lose this sub key and I am out 2g+..thanks

 

If there is a way to re-flash the ECU let me know. From my experience you just need 2 master keys and Lexus will send the ECU for free as long as the car is registered to you. You just need to pay for the two master keys and the labor for install of the ECU. I know here it comes out to just over $500 for everything. So, I dont know where the $2000 + comes from.

 

my girl's car is an IS, but it's the same thing. Buy the key with remote from ebay, i will try to find out who the seller was. you will need to find someone that can laser cut the new key and as long as you have one working key you will be able to program your new remote. the key comes with the instructions to reprogram new remote. good luck

 

My friend also has a GS400 and he purchased the key from ebay and had it laser cut... works like a charm!!

 

a guy who's user name was usautolock... I paid $80 total and he was prompt in delivery and it came with 3 pages of instructions on how to program... The first step is to have it cut and unfortunately the closest place to have that done for me is 70 miles away... Anyway according to the instructions in order to program a master key you have to have another master key...

If you would like a copy send me an email to hoytinthesouth@hotmail.com and I will send them to you monday...

 

As the dealer told me also, You need a master key to program another key. So since I only have a sub(valet) key that option is out. I wonder if anyone know where I can have the valet ket duplicated?

 

I actually got my keys today from ebay. They were able to precut my keys before they sent them by giving them the keycode on the credit card key. It worked like a champ and cost $65 shipped for 2 precut shells. But that doesn't solve the whole not having the remote issue.. speaking of.. how did they give you the car w/out the factory alarm? I would definitely give them crap if my dealer only gave me one key.. especially since it's the valet key. They didn't happen to give you the wallet key did they?

 

with only a valet (sub) key, you cannot program in any new keys. which means you NEED to replace the ECU.. there is NO way around it... unlike the newer vehicles where you can bypass/unlock the computer, you cannot with the older ones...

you need a computer and some master keys...

my card key has been programmed as a master key on my car's computer... solong as i have ONE master key (i got my car with 2 remote keys, one sub/valet (gray) key, and one card key), i can always add another key...

sorry bud, you're outta luck... start tracing down the previous owner... a dealer MAY be able to help you contact the previous owner for keys...

 

okay,
i was in this same situation and i will tell you that there is a way to escape paying the dealer 2000 to change the computer and make new keys.
you can get the present ecu you have reflashed and have a set of new master keys programmed to it. with that done you can even then reprogram the current valet key to it so you have a new set of master and a refreshed valet.
the reflashing machine is quite expensive and very few locksmiths carry it.
it will run you between 150-350 to get the ecu reflashed and get a new set of master keys from these locksmiths.
sometimes you have to bring them uncut keys and most times they have some already.
good luck.
my advice is to get on yellowpages and start calling locksmiths.
i bet you within your first 5 tries, one of them will refer you to a locksmith that has the reflash machine.
good luck again

 

thanks for all advise guys. I will try to find some to reflash my computer. in the mean time hope the god I dont lose my valet key.

 

how long have you had the car? if you just got it.. I would make the dealer deal with it. It's pretty unexcusable to just give you the valet key. It might be different if they gave you one master key.

If it was from a non-Lexus used car dealer... then gl to ya. hope it get's worked out.

 

Where is the $2000 coming from? If the vehicle is registered Lexus will provide an ECU FREE OF CHARGE to the dealer. You still have to purchase 2 master keys and pay labor for ECU install. At our dealership it cost just over $500 for everything. 2 Matser keys (@ $200 a piece), ECU (FREE from Lexus), & install ($100).

Oh yeah, and in MD you cant sell a car without a master. I have seen many people come in here that have just purchased a Lexus from some other dealer and only got a Vallet key. I just send them back to where they got the car with that info and guess who ends up paying for the keys... the dealer they purchased the car from.

 

If all you need is an extra non remote head key, you can send it to Spare Car Keys.com and they can clone the Valet key for you for a cost of $75. Also if you want to have the ECM reflashed, they will do it for you & supply you with 2 remote head keys for a cost of $425 plus freight. Check out their website at http://www.sparecarkeys.com

 

just a heads up if you have a GS400. I found this on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/98-Le...spagenameZWDVW

It's a GS400 ECU w/ keys for $385. All you would need to do is swap out most likely... then you could keep your ecu if you ever want to get it reprogrammed. I don't know if there are differences in the 98 or 99 tho.