RXChi

I recently purchased a 99 with only a valet key. This will not do, as I need a remote. Can anyone recommend a resource aside from a stealership ($850) to purchase a key and fob, and have them flashed to my ecu. Thanks ahead of time.

salimshah

welcome to Club Lexus and congratulations on your purchase.

I hope you had the time to read the sticky threads before the purchase. If you did not do so before, please do it now as they hold the information to help you understand what you are facing.

Basically without the master key, the ecu will not allow you register new keys.

Talk to Lexus and they may give you a better deal, but their obligation ends with termination of warranty.

Other option would be to buy a used ecu along with master key. If you can live with the Valet key (valet key does not operate all locks) then make duplicates of the valet key. With the vin number you can get copies of the master key ( this will have the metal cut, but not the electronic signature). Then you program the the duplicates with the purchased master key and the freshly installed ecu.

All the security that was built in to protect your asset, now becomes a hurdle.

Salim

RXChi

My preliminary search into this led me to a locksmith. I read some have the ability to flash an ecu, and I was thinking about buying a master key off of ebay. Would it be possible to flash the master key to an ecu? I'm looking into the ecu with key option now, and I definitely appreciate the safeguarding features but I need to be on the right side of the wall.

RXChi

So I found someone parting out their rx, and they are willing to sell me the ecm and the key. I believe I need the lock cylinder also, is there a diy or guide on how to safely remove this? And will any 99-03 ecm and key work in my 99? Any steps I need to take to ensure this work?

carguy07

Can't you just get someone local to reflash and program a new master key cut to fit your existing locks?

http://locksmithcharley.com/toyotapostflash.pdf

http://aacrlocksmith.com/wp/lexus-to...puter-service/

RXChi

I looked into the flashing and so far it's 3times as expensive as the used ecm and key. I'm going to keep shopping locksmith's as I don't really want to switch the ignition around.

salimshah

Check the details on how to register a new master key.

If the ignition does not need to be turned [known master key needs to be inserted only] then you need not change the cylinders. Read my previous reply as it suggested just that.

The cylinders can be changed ,,, just be careful with the ignition as the steering air bag is there]. I think we dont have a DIY but should be fairly trivial but time consuming,

Salim

RXChi

I'm going to try and figure it out on paper, step by step. Once I begin the procedure I will make a diy, and maybe a YouTube vid. I imagine the older rxs get the more lost keys people will come across

salimshah

Steps are already outlined in the DIY. Check it out. Hyper is our resident expert.

2nd owners are the one who get into trouble when they dont get all the keys. They should insist on getting master key or knock $500 of the price. Many months ago I wrote about what the buyer of a used RX must secure. Later models have an option being programmed without the master key at the dealership.

Salim