Hello all,

I recently purchased a 2017 Lexus RX350 (VIN: 2T2BZMCA0HC063316) with about 27k miles. All was well for the first week of driving the car, then one morning I could not start the car. I believe the issue is with the key. None of the buttons on the key fob perform their function even after replacing the key battery. I am able to enter the car with the metal blade key, but I cannot start the car. I receive a message on the gage cluster telling me to depress the brake pedal and hold the key to the ignition button. I've tried this every way possible and it still won't start. It seems to me that the key has somehow become unprogrammed. Either that, or some fuse/ relay has blown. The car's main battery is tested and works fine.. Has anybody experienced anything like this? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Check page 664 of your owners manual for optional starting procedures. Wiggle the shifter in the Park position while trying to start. Rotate the steering wheel left and right while trying to start. Try starting with the shifter in neutral.

 

Did you try your second key fob (assuming you have one)?

 

Thank you for the response. I tried what you suggested but still had no luck. The owner's manual states that a key symbol should be shown on the multi information display, which I'm not seeing. This further suggests to me that the key is somehow unprogrammed.

 

I do not have a second key sadly. The car only came with one.

 

Double check you installed the correct battery, also, try a new fob battery.

 

Kinda makes a argument for a standard key i guess. I miss a standard key. Would hate to be far away from home and that happened.

 

When you press the buttons on your fob, does the LED light flash? If not, the problem is an electrical problem within the fob -- nothing to do with "programming". Maybe battery upside down, or debris blocking battery contract, or something like that.

 

The battery in the key fob is brand new from Lexus and installed properly. The LED does come on when the buttons are pressed.

 

That almost rules out an electrical issue with the fob -- theoretically the LED could work, but not the transmitter. Next suspect would be the proximity sensor, aka receiver, in the car. I have no idea how to test that -- your only choice, AFAIK, is to take it to a Lexus dealer for diagnosis. Sorry (I do realize we're talking car hauler).

 

I'm pretty sure that you can't re-register the key-fob yourself, and it will be a trip to the Lexus dealer. You can try calling first to see if they can do it remotely along with a few steps from you.

It should be possible to de-activate the keyfob remotely no reason only for security issues that Lexus can activate yours. Also, I would suggest investing in a second key-fob, and while you're talking to them make sure the missing keyfob is unregistered.

Let us know how it goes.....

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Got an update for you guys. I tried to have the car towed to my nearest Lexus dealer but couldn't because the parking brake was stuck on. The AAA guy did everything he could but the car wouldn't budge. Thus, I sent the driver home and went with my instinct. I got a new key fob from the Lexus dealer. I called a private locksmith to program the new key to the car. She successfully programed the new key and voila! The car starts with no issues. Total cost including key fob and programming came to about $500.00

I asked if she could reprogram the old key and she said that the chip had somehow gone bad. Curiously, I noticed the old key fob appeared to be from a hybrid model because the Lexus logo had a blue ring around it. My guess is that someone had programmed that key to the car at some point, but the question of why the chip became unrecognizable still remains. Oh well, just happy to have a functional car again.

Thank you all for your input.

 

Glad you got it working again. But you still have only one working FOB. Very risky as you found out. I would buy another FOB, not through the dealer but online. A brand new or refurbished and unlocked one can be found for under $100. Next get a Toyota TIS Techstream cable with software. Prices vary but figure about $35 for a high quality one with vendor support. Then you can add the new FOB to the car to yourself. I did this on my 2018 RX350 just to have a third working FOB.

 

Thank you for that info. I thought for sure that a locksmith would have to do the programming, good to know it can be done at home. I'll definitely do that!

 

interesting that Lexus service didn’t have a manual way to release the Parking brake.
Should we be concerned if all power is lost to our RX and needed to be towed that’s not an battery issue.
Or is this more of a security lock-out issue, but still Lexus should have come up with a similar solution.