No master key?
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 526
Likes: 67
From: UT
Alright. So an update as far as my situation is involved. Just got off the phone with the seller. He said he was able to locate an old key with the proper key cut, issue is the transponder chip is gone from the shell casing. So I suppose now my question is where do I go from here? Does the key blade he possess of any any use to me at all? Can I replace the immobilizer chip on the inside of the broken shell casing? Ugh! Please someone give me good news.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
No master key?
So it's not possible to order just the key with an immobilizer chip installed & switch out the key blade so it'll allow itself to enter programming mode? There's a seller on eBay that says if you send the key code to your car that he can cut the key specifically to your ignition & it appears to have the remote head on the key. Would that not be able to be programmed? Or am I completely missing something here. Or even worse, is there just no way about getting around to having to replace the ECU? If that's the case, there's also another seller that's selling an ECU & a key, but my question is, how would that key be able to properly fit my ignition? I do appreciate all this input. Believe it or not, it is helping me to make the correct decision about this whole fiasco.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 526
Likes: 67
From: UT
So it's not possible to order just the key with an immobilizer chip installed & switch out the key blade so it'll allow itself to enter programming mode? There's a seller on eBay that says if you send the key code to your car that he can cut the key specifically to your ignition & it appears to have the remote head on the key. Would that not be able to be programmed? Or am I completely missing something here. Or even worse, is there just no way about getting around to having to replace the ECU? If that's the case, there's also another seller that's selling an ECU & a key, but my question is, how would that key be able to properly fit my ignition? I do appreciate all this input. Believe it or not, it is helping me to make the correct decision about this whole fiasco.
Like I mentioned, what you can do is get a new ECU from eBay or from someone here selling one, as long as it comes with a master key. That's critical. Swap in the new ECU.
After you install the new ECU, tape the key it came with right next to the ignition cylinder, and then use the key blade to turn it to ON. The new ECU should read its transponder and you can then put it into programming mode. The ECU couldn't care less what the physical key cut looks like, it's only looking for the signal from the transponder switch.
Once you've gotten into programming mode, you can program in your new key of choice, because the key the ECU came with is guaranteed not to be cut for your locks and ignition.
If you get lucky, you may be able to swap the transponder out of the key that comes with the new ECU into the key blade you already have. That would be a plug n go solution.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
No master key?
So another words, after placing the old key into the ignition & all goes well as far as programming, the different key that's being sent to me isn't going to cause any issues as far as the cut of the new key is concerned? I just thought that the cut of the new key would have to match with the tumblers or whatever the technical jargon one would use to be able to properly fit the ignition cylinder. That's where I thought that the key blade cut would matter. Huh. Who knew? Well obviously you do, & that's why I TRULY appreciate you bearing in mind patience with me. I'm not above purchasing the new ECU on eBay, I just want to make sure that I'll be able to at least start the car. We are talking about a $220 purchase! As I stated before, thank you so much for being patient with me & walking me through this whole thing. And I do apologize before hand, as I'm certain I will probably have more questions.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 526
Likes: 67
From: UT
So another words, after placing the old key into the ignition & all goes well as far as programming, the different key that's being sent to me isn't going to cause any issues as far as the cut of the new key is concerned? I just thought that the cut of the new key would have to match with the tumblers or whatever the technical jargon one would use to be able to properly fit the ignition cylinder. That's where I thought that the key blade cut would matter. Huh. Who knew? Well obviously you do, & that's why I TRULY appreciate you bearing in mind patience with me. I'm not above purchasing the new ECU on eBay, I just want to make sure that I'll be able to at least start the car. We are talking about a $220 purchase! As I stated before, thank you so much for being patient with me & walking me through this whole thing. And I do apologize before hand, as I'm certain I will probably have more questions.
Let me start from square 1 and see if that helps.
To start your car, you need A) the physical cut of the key, where the grooves in the key will allow the locks/ignition to turn, and B) a transponder chip that will tell the ECU to activate.
You currently have A. You are missing B.
A new ECU from eBay should come with a master key. This key will have C) a physical cut that does not match your locks or ignition, but it does have D) a transponder that the ECU accepts.
When you swap this new eBay ECU into your car, your existing key A will still turn the ignition, but the ECU will be looking for transponder D and so it won't activate.
Transponder D is tied to the ECU, and key cut A is tied to the car. So you've got two halves that have to be combined to start the car or get into programming mode.
With me so far?
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
No master key?
Yes. I definitely understand what you are saying. By the way, just got a response from the seller of the ECU unit on eBay. The response was that "the key that is being sent with the unit is only used for programming the key that I already have to make it operational with the ECU that is being sold." So I'm just wondering, is this gonna work? I can send you the link to the unit for you to look at for yourself to let me know whether or not I'm still up a creek without a paddle. Entirely up to you. I feel as though I've consumed enough of your time without you having to scroll about on eBay to see whether or not this is possible. As I stated before, I TRULY appreciate your patience on helping me out with this whole situation. It's a rare trait for people to take time out to want to help other people out. By the way, sorry if I double posted this, I went back & checked the status & it didn't post the first time. Just let me know about sending you the link. I truly do appreciate it.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a Lexus TX 550h+ (& 3 Reasons to AVOID!)
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyota Models of the 1990s RANKED!
Joe Kucinski
10 Great Toyotas That Could Have Been Lexus Models
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
I've also considered going this route as well, which seems to me to be the sure fire bet, with the exception of removing the locking cylinder, but at this point, I have no problem doing.
http://m.ebay.com/itm/Lexus-engine-ECU-ECM-reflash-Lost-key-replacement-service-Programming-keys-/182252713160?fits=Year%3A1999%7CMake%3ALexus%7CModel%3AGS400&hash=item2a6f1bb4c8%3Am%3Amrqx-rVwC7edXT6RIXYWS0w&_trkparms=pageci%253A45970ed1-0b0c-11e7-8516-74dbd1800da9%257Cparentrq%253Adc37595415a0a357b5152e7ffffbd89f%257Ciid%253A1
http://m.ebay.com/itm/Lexus-engine-ECU-ECM-reflash-Lost-key-replacement-service-Programming-keys-/182252713160?fits=Year%3A1999%7CMake%3ALexus%7CModel%3AGS400&hash=item2a6f1bb4c8%3Am%3Amrqx-rVwC7edXT6RIXYWS0w&_trkparms=pageci%253A45970ed1-0b0c-11e7-8516-74dbd1800da9%257Cparentrq%253Adc37595415a0a357b5152e7ffffbd89f%257Ciid%253A1
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
That is correct. It is indeed a '99. So by all accounts, everything you read, choice A, the ECU & key for sale is the easiest way to go. When I purchase this I should be able to do everything you said about programming the key, etc.? Alright. Well, it sounds like that needs to be the route I go. That's kind of what I was thinking all along. I'm not really to keen on the idea of disassembling the door to remove the locking mechanism. Knowing my luck I'd screw up the actuator motor or break the glass or something extremely dumb. I just know me & my luck so far with this car. I really appreciate you taking the time to examine both links & seeing which would be the best direction to take. I just hope the whole "taping the new key to the steering column & using the key blade to program" thing works. If not, well, I don't know what I'll do.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
Unfortunately, not very good. But that's alright. I've decided to take a break from trying to immediately trying to figure this out. I've had a few financial snags that have outweighed purchasing the car right away, plus I figure it'll give the seller time to try & locate the missing key. Like I stated before, he & I have a pretty solid relationship having worked for him for several years, & I'm CERTAIN the car isn't going anywhere. Not to mention that in the midst of this fiasco with the key, it seems as though the title for the car has been misplaced as well. So with that being said, he had to send off for a new title. So really at this point, I'm in no rush.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
No master key?
So, update time. The seller found the key! When I received the key, I found there to be absolutely nothing wrong with it. The shell casing was cracked & glued together. The key blade was loose & the battery was dead. Replaced the battery, tightened the screw slightly, & electrical taped the cracked shell casing as a temporary fix. Plan on ordering a new shell casing & transplanting the transponder soon. Very happy. I'd like to give props to everyone who advised me on this post. This site is awesome, and all the members are equally as awesome. Bet for sure that I'll be referring back here for whatever issues I may encounter. Special thanks to Eicca. Your time & patience were invaluable to me.