We've been having problems with the passenger door lock and the passenger window switch. Yesterday I rolled down the window and couldn't get it to go back up. After rolling the other windows up and down, slamming the door, etc, I tried the turn the key in the lock and hold trick, both in the pass door and in the driver door (neither worked). Eventually I got the window up but now my remote doesn't work. The little light blinks red so I know the button is working, but the car doesn't react. I can still lock/unlock with the key, start and drive etc.

Is it possible I somehow unvalidated my remote while I was screwing around? Do I need to reprogram it? Or maybe just disconnect the battery for 20 min?

Thanks,
Owen
2000 RX300 AWD

 

Just checked the sticky and found the answer. I will have to try power-cycling the car and see if that helps.

Next question:
My old remote no longer works because the buttons are worn out (internally), It sometimes works if I squeeze really hard and wiggle around but really not going to rely on that. And I see that eBay now has lots of complete new keys available for cheap, with the remote board and everything. Even 1010keys has one.

So if I get a new complete key from 1010keys and swap in the old C4 chip from my worn out key, will I have to do any reprogramming?

Thanks,
Owen

 

Yes, I have switched from the standard ignition key to a switch-blade type key for my RX300. All I needed to do, once the new keys were received after being cut by the seller, was to remove the wireless remote part from my old keys and transfer them to the new ones, and they have worked fine since then with no need to program them.
However, if the buttons on the key remote have been worn down as you say and so are not working correctly, why not get the replacement for the remote part as well? I am sure there is a post somewhere around here on how to program replacement keys.

 

Yes, I am getting the complete key including a new remote module.

I am wondering if I take the C4 chip out of the old remote module and put it inside the new one, will I still have to reprogram?

 

To be honest, I have never heard of a "C4 chip" until now..
If you are talking about the wireless control part of the key with the buttons and the Coin cell battery, yes, as I stated above as long as you moved that to your new key you do not need any reprogramming. The lock/unlock function of the remote and the ignition immobilizer are both tied to this electronic part, and will work just fine in my humble experience (as long as the "teeth" portion of the key is cut the same, of course).
Guess you learn something new everyday

 

Sorry, it is actually the 4C chip, and I had never heard of it before this morning either, but I thought I was the only one.

If I am not mistaken, it is the little magnet-looking thingie inside the wireless module that is the actual transponder.

 

When I got home I disconnected the battery for 15 mins. After I reconnected it, the remote still didn't work.

Then I pulled out the passenger side lock/window switch panel and disconnected it - and now the remote works again.

Apparently it's finally time to figure out how to install that new NAIS CR2-2V relay that's been sitting on my desk since last July...

 

Good to know. So when you move the transponder from the old key to the new one, you are also moving the 4C chip which is inside.
That way, the ignition immobilizer can recognize the magnetic signature and, knowing that it's a key it can trust, allow the engine to start. No need to program anything

 

That's strange , but good work finding that out. Must have been some trouble on that circuit which interfered with the remote.