So I recently got a smart keymaker so I can make a new key for my setup (bought the engine separate so no key) But was wondering if there was anyone out there is about to get a key made in the SoCal area and would want to try and use it before going to the dealership.

This is what I'm talking about if you haven't heard about it before


I believe it only works for newer vehicles. And I'd like to specifically try it out on the 2IS

 

Trying to see if it works on someone elses before yours? lol

 

I have a project car (RWD Celica with the IS350 drive train in it), it's far from being even started and if someone is going to pay money it's not a big deal try this first and have them save money. However if it doesn't do anything I'd like to know so I can plan later on my project. There's nothing for anyone to lose from trying, if it doesn't work, it just doesn't work, if it works the person gets what they want and didn't have to pay for one of these devices.

 

Where are you located?

I picked up a 2008 IS250 back in March from a private party it only came with one key fob and no physical keys. I purchased a used key fob and two oem blank physical keys off ebay. I will be sending the physical keys off to Sewell to get them cut to my VIN# next week . From what I understand you have have a physical key in order to program the used key fob with the Toyota Smart Keymaker. When I get my physical keys back from Sewell I will try out your Keymaker if your not too far away ( I'm in Temecula Ca.) if not I will just pick one up myself.

 

I'm in north Orange County, if you want to try it out could always meet in the middle somewhere. Yea I think you need a physical key, but the transponder is what gets programmed. I'm pretty sure it'll work to make duplicates off of the master key, but I'm really interested to see if it will make one if you completely lost all keys. It says it can, but you know how chinese products are

 

totally - haha

 

Curious as to what became of this? I may need your services.

 

I still have it. I haven't tried it on my car yet since it's not running yet (it's a long term project).

I'm in the Orange County area. Let me know if you're interested.

edit: just noticed you're in Ohio. I wouldn't mind shipping it to you for what I paid as a deposit and you can try it and send it back.

 

How does it work exactly? I don't know if I could trust this.. I'm probably just being overly paranoid, but if it can program a smart key, isn't it possible to retain a copy of the programmed info and imprint it onto another fob? I'd just be worried about taking it to someone to get the key programmed, then that person makes copies of the key and sells them to car thieves or something.

Again, not saying you (OP) would do that, or if its even possible, but that's the first thing that crosses my mind.

 

My understanding is you program the car to the key - and the key to the car. You cannot program the key without the car.

 

What you do is you plug the device into your ODBII port and it programs the ECU or rather just syncs the key with your car. Basically the car needs to have the unique ID of the key added to the ECU's data base. That's what this does.

If it's too scary for you to borrow these are pretty cheap online. They are like 10~15 bucks. I've seen it work on other newer Toyotas, just not specifically the 2IS. I just want to know if this will work or not since if it doesn't then I need to figure out another option.

 

For 2IS I think you need scantool to program the smart key.....

 

You don't program the key, you read the key and it's imputed into the ECU. The device I have scans the key. Basically the ECU has the protocols to do what is needed, it's just the ECU doesn't have the hardware to scan.