How to DIY program a spare key
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
How to DIY program a spare key
Hey All,
I have a 2009 Lexus RX 350 bought used a few months back. It only came with one key. Unfortunately, the dealership was unable to make contact with the previous owner in attempt to see if they had the second key.
I've called dealerships and have been quoted anywhere between $300-$400 for an additional key.
Can anyone tell me whether I can do this myself, and what it might take to get the job done.
Thanks - Nate
I have a 2009 Lexus RX 350 bought used a few months back. It only came with one key. Unfortunately, the dealership was unable to make contact with the previous owner in attempt to see if they had the second key.
I've called dealerships and have been quoted anywhere between $300-$400 for an additional key.
Can anyone tell me whether I can do this myself, and what it might take to get the job done.
Thanks - Nate
#2
Depends on what you want. If you simply want a key that will work without the remote you can get a valet key cheaper. It's a laser cut key though so check with some of the locksmiths in your town to see if any of them are equipped with what they need to cut that kind of key, some do but most don't. If you find one you can get the key made but may have to have the dealer program it.
#3
Lead Lap
Yeah, these keys are outrageous. Mine only came with one transponder key too, but I did like mdbrown said and had my dealer cut me a valet key for 150$. Works everything except locking the glove box, which is fine as a spare. Some locksmiths can make these keys and I could have gone that route and probably got it cheaper, but I wanted mine programmed correctly and to my cars ecu. Works great. 150$ is expensive, but I'd hate to know what it would cost to lose my one key and have to start from scratch getting keys fitted to my car.
#4
Yeah, these keys are outrageous. Mine only came with one transponder key too, but I did like mdbrown said and had my dealer cut me a valet key for 150$. Works everything except locking the glove box, which is fine as a spare. Some locksmiths can make these keys and I could have gone that route and probably got it cheaper, but I wanted mine programmed correctly and to my cars ecu. Works great. 150$ is expensive, but I'd hate to know what it would cost to lose my one key and have to start from scratch getting keys fitted to my car.
#6
Instructor
iTrader: (1)
Did this myself recently for my RX330. Purchased 3 4D chipped keys for $18 plus $60 to cut them and programmed them at home.
You can program it yourself if you have the tools, requires toyota's techstream. Programmed 3 keys myself but your dealer can do it probably for the cost of 1hr of labor (even though it takes 15 minutes, that's what they quoted me).
Hardest part is the cut itself, it's a "laser cut" or high security cut which only the dealer or speciality lock smiths can do. My recommendation is to purchase a pre-cut key from eBay/Amazon/etc. with the key code (you can get it from your dealer with VIN and proof of ownership). A Lexus dealer (Toyota wouldn't touch it) wanted to cut it for $50/key while a speciality shop I found did all 3 for $60. Dealer will also not warranty the cut if it's not an OEM key sold by them. If I knew better I would have had it precut then hunting down multiple locksmiths and dealers.
You can program it yourself if you have the tools, requires toyota's techstream. Programmed 3 keys myself but your dealer can do it probably for the cost of 1hr of labor (even though it takes 15 minutes, that's what they quoted me).
Hardest part is the cut itself, it's a "laser cut" or high security cut which only the dealer or speciality lock smiths can do. My recommendation is to purchase a pre-cut key from eBay/Amazon/etc. with the key code (you can get it from your dealer with VIN and proof of ownership). A Lexus dealer (Toyota wouldn't touch it) wanted to cut it for $50/key while a speciality shop I found did all 3 for $60. Dealer will also not warranty the cut if it's not an OEM key sold by them. If I knew better I would have had it precut then hunting down multiple locksmiths and dealers.
The following 2 users liked this post by Lexuswiz:
BlackLexRX (04-25-17),
Njdarrow (04-27-17)
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#8
Lead Lap
I've really got to get Techstream. If nothing else I'd love to look at some of the data in there like coolant temps, etc. I've got lots of tools, but they're all analog, lol.
#9
Techstream the software package? Any idea how much that costs? The cable seems cheap enough. I currently have an Alldata subscription. I thought about techstream but $400 a year is a bit steep for what is basically the same information on Alldata which charges $30 a year albeit for a single model.
Last edited by mdbrown; 04-25-17 at 09:50 PM.
#11
With the Alldata subscription I don't really need the techstream online sub. What I'm looking to find is the techstream software for diagnosis, programming and such. That's typically very expensive.
#12
Instructor
iTrader: (1)
Techstream the software package? Any idea how much that costs? The cable seems cheap enough. I currently have an Alldata subscription. I thought about techstream but $400 a year is a bit steep for what is basically the same information on Alldata which charges $30 a year albeit for a single model.
I don't believe it either.
#13
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Did this myself recently for my RX330. Purchased 3 4D chipped keys for $18 plus $60 to cut them and programmed them at home.
You can program it yourself if you have the tools, requires toyota's techstream. Programmed 3 keys myself but your dealer can do it probably for the cost of 1hr of labor (even though it takes 15 minutes, that's what they quoted me).
Hardest part is the cut itself, it's a "laser cut" or high security cut which only the dealer or speciality lock smiths can do. My recommendation is to purchase a pre-cut key from eBay/Amazon/etc. with the key code (you can get it from your dealer with VIN and proof of ownership). A Lexus dealer (Toyota wouldn't touch it) wanted to cut it for $50/key while a speciality shop I found did all 3 for $60. Dealer will also not warranty the cut if it's not an OEM key sold by them. If I knew better I would have had it precut then hunting down multiple locksmiths and dealers.
You can program it yourself if you have the tools, requires toyota's techstream. Programmed 3 keys myself but your dealer can do it probably for the cost of 1hr of labor (even though it takes 15 minutes, that's what they quoted me).
Hardest part is the cut itself, it's a "laser cut" or high security cut which only the dealer or speciality lock smiths can do. My recommendation is to purchase a pre-cut key from eBay/Amazon/etc. with the key code (you can get it from your dealer with VIN and proof of ownership). A Lexus dealer (Toyota wouldn't touch it) wanted to cut it for $50/key while a speciality shop I found did all 3 for $60. Dealer will also not warranty the cut if it's not an OEM key sold by them. If I knew better I would have had it precut then hunting down multiple locksmiths and dealers.
#14
If you cannot find the key pin in your glovebox leather folder than your Lexus dealer should be able to provide it to you based on your VIN code.
#15
Depends on your point of view. These "funky" keys means that it is virtually impossible for someone to gain entry to my car and hotwire it. Your car would have to be awfully old and in real crappy condition not to be worth a few hundred bucks a lost key would cost you to replace.