I am the proud owner of a 2000 RX 300. The previous owner only gave me one key when I purchased the vehicle. It seems to be a replacement as it does not have any Lexus branding on it and does not have the buttons to unlock/lock the doors or panic button its literally just a key. The key is extremely temperamental, and I have to jiggle it in the ignition cylinder for like ~10 seconds for it to engage and start the car.

I understand there are master and valet keys for these vehicles. When I put the very tip if this key into the ignition cylinder, it immediately turns off the red security light making me believe its programmed as the master key and not the valet key. The thing throwing me off is it does not open the glove box which from my reading of this forum, it should... I am thinking this replacement key is programmed as a master key, but was cut by some ape to work with ignition but nothing else (maybe there is a ridge on the master key that allows it to open the glove box, and this replacement key doesnt have that??). Any thoughts are appreciated here. My end goal is to have two sets of master keys that do not require the jiggling to get the car started, and also have door lock/unlock/panic functionality. All thoughts and comments are appreciated.

 

Sounds like you have the valet key.

 

From what I have read so far, the valet key keeps the red security light on for 2 seconds when put into the ignition cylinder. The key that I have immediately turns the security light off. If my key was a valet key shouldn't I expect that security light to stay on for a couple seconds?

 

I'm not aware of the "two second" thing. Maybe someone else has heard of it. I don't know what benefit it would provide.
I thought the requirements for a valet key were the key must start the car but not open certain locks.

 

I am with max steel.

Valet key will let you run the engine and the blade portion will not allow operation of glove box. It can not be used to make copies. Typically is it grey in color when provided at the point of first purchase.

The "master key" not only allows operating all locks and ignition, but also has the electronic signature to register subsequent keys. A subsequent copy, needs the master key in ignition at the time of programming [think of that as password protection]. With just the valet key a duplicate can not be registered to run the engine.

I always recommend that first gen RX owners posses two master keys.

Salim
ps: There is member who runs a fee based service, to make copies of the key with an eeprom. Please search for him and directly contact him and not post on open forum [pm him]. Forum rules prohibit us from conducting business, without becoming a sponsor.

 

It's funny I was just at Park Place Lexus three days ago asking how come the new key I had made at their location would not start my RX. They said oh it needs to be programmed. 45 minutes later they asked where the other key was. I said there isn't one that's why I am here. Super nice people and they felt bad telling me this same info. The poor kid was younger than my RX. LOL. If your key doesn't have buttons its probably a valet key. If you are going to the dealer it is about $800 to get a new master key purchased and programmed to your vehicle. You will need your ID and Title to the vehicle with your name on it. They won't make a master key if you can't prove you own the car. I too am a proud recent owner of a 2000 RX300 that came with one black key with no buttons and no Lexus emblem. It has a chip in it programed to your car but can not be duplicated. Not even to make another valet key. For $400 more I went to the Cartoys in Plano and got keyless entry, remote start, GPS tracking, Smart phone controls, I have two remotes that work from 2000 feet away and best of all that extra key I mentioned earlier, that I paid for from a Lexus dealer that wouldn't start my vehicle because it couldn't be programmed, actually works perfectly as long as you remote start the vehicle first !!! I guess it bypasses it.

 

Thank you for sharing an alternate solution.

It was a few years later [from RX first gen introduction] that the ECU could be overwritten without master key. The dealer solution for the first few years was to replace the ECU.
Another alternative is to purchase a used ECU with master key.

Salim

 

I ended up calling an auto locksmith local to me in Austin TX. He used the old key to cut two new master keys and programmed both of them. Now my car starts right up and I can unlock all locks including glove box. Charged me $250.

 

This is new news that locksmith could program without a master key.for 2000 RX. Unless the key you had was registered as Master. Thank you for sharing your experience.

Salim