pjm207

I'd just like to put this issue to rest in case anyone does a search in the future - I've exhausted all searches both here and www and I've tried all of the suggestions, and I have to believe that in order to program the key to start the vehicle you need to take it to a dealer or a locksmith so they can hook up a computer to the vehicle to get the vehicle to recognize the key. I believe there was an easier way for the 2003 (if by easier I mean doing the hokey pokey with the gas/brake pedal and old key/new key), but I've been unsuccessful with mine. If anyone has CONCRETE evidence to support an alterternate theory, I'm happy to listen. But I'm fairly certain that I need to take it somewhere. I think I can program it to open the doors remotely, but starting the vehicle is a different animal altogether.

Brian06

Hi,
I have the same situation. My master key will not start the car, but I got the remote lock/unlock to work.
Have you had any luck?

pjm207

No I haven't. I called a locksmith who specializes in transponders and he quoted me $75 to program it. The locksmith where I got the key cut quoted me $35, but I just haven't been able to get back there for the programming.

Kostyan

how much does Lexus dealer charge?

pjm207

Sorry for the delay. I don't have a dealer nearby, so I have no idea.

RX330inFL

Go to Superior Toyota to see if they can give you a hand with this problem.

OttawaLex

My local lexus dealer charges 60$ for the programming, but they quoted me at 288$ for the key (Key less/power tail gate). Ouch, I need to find another way to get the key, but the programming cost sounds alright.

pjm207

A key on ebay is less than $70. That's where I got mine.

And I did try Superior Toyota and they were unable to help me, but maybe that was for purchasing and everything. I'll contact them about the programming and let you know.

pjm207

Well, i'm scheduled for the programming at Superior Toyota tomorrow at 2 - cost of $50. I'll update once the service is complete. Thanks for the tip RX330inFL.

RX330inFL

No big deal. Had only noticed where you were from and looked for a Toyota dealer online in that area. Yes, it is a dealer which means they charge more than an independent shop, however, they would charge less than a Lexus dealer regardless. Was worth a shot. Only you can determine if what they would charge was worth it to you.

For service on your Lexus, if you want to go the dealer route a Toyota shop can be your friend. Parts, while the same, are usually cheaper and labor is definitely cheaper. The waiting room may not be as nice and they may not have free drinks and snacks, but I would gladly give up those luxuries for a competent shop.

pjm207

Yeah, I know I contacted them originally, but that may have been before I purchased the key from ebay and maybe I was asking them if they sold and programmed the keys. I'm not super confident that they can do it based upon the way the guy paused before he said they should be able to do it. I told him that I was fairly certain that it needed hooked up to the computer for programming, that it wasn't the open door/close door/accessory 6 times program. We'll see tomorrow. The local locksmith that is a "transponder specialist" quoted me $75, so I don't feel $50 is too bad.

pjm207

yep - $53 at the Toyota dealership to program the key - starting the vehicle and remote functionality. so total cost was about $120.

mandyfig

Get the key from ebay, get it cut and take it in for programing. $150 seems about right. Better than $300+ from the dealer.

pjm207

bah - forgot about the cutting. that was an additional $35. so approximately $155 altogether from buying blank key to having it totally work.

mowmow

I guess I'm lucky then, got the keys from ebay cheap and took it into the dealership, I talked to one of the service tech, they charged me $90 for cutting 2 keys and programming both of them.