Smartkey Upgrades?
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 45
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
Smartkey Upgrades?
I have an '04 with the big Smartkey and wanted to know if it is possible to upgrade to the new style key. Has anyone done this and if so, what is the process?
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
The two keys have different FCC numbers, which means they're on different frequencies, so most likely you would not be able to link the two up because they won't be able to read each other.
If this is not the case and someone has proof, I'd love to know too because I would like to have the new key also. The former Smartaccess key is just too long to fit in the pocket well.
If this is not the case and someone has proof, I'd love to know too because I would like to have the new key also. The former Smartaccess key is just too long to fit in the pocket well.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 45
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
I agree on the size issue...I had a new car for a few days while the dealer was fixing a couple of small issues that we negottiated in the sale, and I love the new key style. My old style one is just too bulky and doesn't work well with a key ring and house key. With all the craetive fixes on here, someone has to have figured this out. I had a Volvo C70 prior to this car and you could switch the chip in those to the new case (not Smartkey, but same principle, right?).
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
to transmit or not to transmit
Anyway, it would be a long stretch if you wanted the button functionality along with the inners. I would say, probably not doable unless you just wanted the wireless functionality.
What I can see someone doing is taking the inners and then putting a "home-made" housing to just hold that inner. The button functions are really on the inner part anyway, so you'd have a nice little 1/2" x 1/2" little "key."
Rookie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 79
Likes: 2
From: NJ
The guts of the Avalon's smartkey system are identical to the LS's, yet the avalon fob is MUCH smaller. It doesn't have the nice big "L" on it, but I wouldn't mind settling for it. Unfortunately, however, the button arrangement is dissimilar so it won't work with the lexus guts.
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Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
Again, coming back to keys... the system and frequency of signal is probably different, thus the different FCC numbers on back. Just like garage openers that prevent the same Genie remote from running off other Genie openers.
If someone's willing to take a $270 chance on the LS600 key, let us know.
If someone's willing to take a $270 chance on the LS600 key, let us know.
Are you guys referring to this smartkey?
Even if it could work as a smartkey, then you can't insert the key into the ignition slot in case the battery dies on the remote. Don't the newer Lexuses have pus start instead of the turn ignition?
Even if it could work as a smartkey, then you can't insert the key into the ignition slot in case the battery dies on the remote. Don't the newer Lexuses have pus start instead of the turn ignition?
Driver
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: NY
Like i asked earlier.....would it be possible to swap out the standard ignition switch for a push button start like the ones on all 07+ lexus models?
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,159
Likes: 4
From: Maryland
anything is possible!!! it's all about the $$$ and how much it's worth to you... probably cost too much. I'm sure both new keys can be programed to work with the LS430, but who knows for sure?
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,501
Likes: 77
From: Northern VA
I don't ever remember seeing a metal key as part of the new push button fobs. I believe on the new ones, if the transmitter battery dies, you start the car by holding the fob close to the push button until a green light comes on, then you push the button to start the car. This implies the chip is built into the pushbutton unit or is directly behind it. I've seen people in Japan wire up their toyota trucks with pushbutton start, so I'm sure it's possible to swap out the key cylinder for a pushbutton, but it would at least require schematics for both push button and smart key ignition systems and preferably photos of the smart key cylinder and pushbutton.
