Both my 2 plastic shrouds surrounding my keys for my 2001 Lexus LS430 have cracked and are separating from the actual metal key. The doors and trunk can still be activated, but I've crazy glued them many times and it's falling apart. What do I need? Do I need an entire new key and the housing or just the housing with the buttons? Does it have to be programmed by the dealer? My car is a pre 2004 so it is an actual key. Is this a Lexus only item or is there a link for the Lexus part purchased elsewhere? Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all.

 

you may be able to buy one on ebay and change out everything with the new housing.

 

I had the same happen to me about 3 years ago. The dealership can resolve for you - I think about $90 - I think they put a new housing on. Pretty quick and simple. Kind of expensive though, but with the dealer it is done right with no questions.

 

Get a new case on eBay. $90 at the dealer? Seriously, it's one tiny screw holding the case together. Grab a screwdriver and fix it yourself. You can't screw it up.

 

+1 ^ - $4.95 each on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Replacement-Key-Case-Shell-Keyless-Remote-Fob-Uncut-Blade-Fix-Master-/111201069608?fits=Model%3ALS430&hash=item19e419aa28&vxp=mtr
Take new key housing to dealer and have them cut the key blades according to your VIN (or bring old key blade). Go into the back at Lexus directly to the Parts Dept. window.

 

I just did this two weeks ago on my 1998... they cut the key for free as I was buying other parts. Got the Key blank/case off of ebay for about $5. Sewell in Dallas did it for me.

 

Called my "friendly" JM Lexus dealer to ask what it would cost to cut the key If I brought the blank key with the new shell. They told me they will not cut a key if it is not bought from Lexus and the Cost will be $61.00 The $5.00 key/shell on Ebay looks fine but now I need to find either a Lexus dealer or Toyota dealer who is willing to cut the key I bring them. How much could they charge me to cut a key? Is it worth it to go through this hassle to save a few bucks or just give the stealership my old key to replace and cut?

 

Find one of the auctions on ebay where you just send em a photo of your key and they cut the blank for you. You get two custom cut blanks with shells in the mail and just swap out the guts. I went this route, the keys work great, I think it was about $35 for two. 1010keys was the seller I believe.

 

here it is:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/REPAIR-your-SPARE-BROKEN-3-BUT-REMOTE-KEY-KEYS-FREE-CUSTOM-CUT-SHIP-/161658839307?fits=Model%3ALS430&hash=item25a39e210b&vxp=mtr
and this listing is cheaper but you have to have your key code:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-PRE-CUT-3-BUTTON-REMOTE-SHELL-KEYS-REPAIR-KEY-FOB-CASE-w-FREE-BATTERY-/161658795925?fits=Model%3ALS430&hash=item25a39d7795&vxp=mtr
or get the switchblade keys:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/UPGRADE-your-3-BUTTON-REMOTE-KEYS-to-our-NEW-SWITCHBLADE-FLIP-KEY-CASE-/151643015835?fits=Model%3ALS430&hash=item234ea0ca9b&vxp=mtr

 

Where does one find the key code? I'm not the original owner? Where should I be looking? Does the dealer have it?

 

key code? no idea

 

if you have the wallet key it should be on that card.

 

UPDATE! Went to JM Lexus with destroyed key and had them make me up an Official Lexus OEM Key (lol) and was done. $55 out the door. At my age I'm not running around to save a few pennies.. I guess 15 years out of a plastic key is long enough!

 

For future reference for anyone coming across this thread, the key code can be obtained from any Lexus dealer. However, generally, you must provide them with proof of ownership first, such as your title.

 

Correct. Lexus will find it for you if necessary.