hey guys, I have been a lurker for a few years and this is my first post. I have owned 2 LS 430,
3 Rxs, 1 SC, and my current 2003 LX470. My wife drives a 2013 RX.

Somehow over time we have lost the master keys with the remotes to my LX. I still have the wallet key and the valet key. A few years ago after a family member lost my first key I purchased an aftermarket key from the big auction site and took it to the local locksmith who cut the key and
programmed the key. He had a little trouble getting that key to program with remote but was successful.

Fast forward to now...my wife couldn't find my spare remote key so not wanted to be down to only one remote key I ordered another key from the same site and went through the same process.
The same locksmith was able to get the key to manually lock/unlock and start the engine but could not program the remote.

The company I bought it from has been very responsive and helpful and even replaced the internals to the key just in case it was bad. They sent a written programming guide that I have tried about 20 times with no success.

The company wants to know the FCC # for the keys and since my masters are lost I do not know how to get that info unless all 2003 LX470s have the same FCC#.

I did call the local Toyota dealership (Lexu dealership is 2 hrs away) and for $45-50 they said they would try to program the remote portion. They did say if they could not program it there would be no charge.

I have about $150 in the key now and am undecided as to putting another $50 into it--I know that is less expensive than what a Lexus dealership would charge for a new key.

Anyway, just wanted some advice from you guys on what you would suggest in this situation.
They way it is now I have paid for a remote key but it only functions like a valet key.

Sorry for the length but I wanted you to have all the facts.

thanks for listening

 

If you google it you can get the key program procedure for every model of Lexus. I just got a new key for my 2000 LX. I used a dealer on ebay, you send him your working key and he supplies the key, cuts it and programs it all off the old key and then mails them both back to you. I got a regular key without the remote because I hate the size of them. It cost me $40.

 

Wow, that was great price. Mine was twice that not counting the $70 to cut and program.

Well, lesson learned. I do have a programming guide but will google one to make sure mine is correct.

thanks for your suggestion.

any other suggestions from anybody???

 

Check my blog

http://tlcfaq.com/main/2013/07/remote-key-programming/

http://tlcfaq.com/main/2013/02/key-programming/

 

RobRed-

thanks so much. It worked great. You are da man.

all my frustration with the key has been solved thanks to your kind response.

another great thing about the forum

cheers