GS300 1998 ECU compatability question
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GS300 1998 ECU compatability question
I have a 1998 GS300 3.0L that the transponder chip fell out of the key and became misplaced indefinitely. I still have the metal key with empty plastic case and made new unprogrammed chipped copies from it, but the car is immobilized, and the locksmith guys couldn’t reflash the chip because the EEPROM or erasable chip hadn’t been made yet until 2001+. So I’m looking at buying a used year 2000 ecu with the corresponding master key on ebay to install and then transplanting the chip to my own key shank and case. I can’t find a ‘98 ecu with key so this is the most approximate I could find. I do think this will work, but there is a slight variance in the second half of the number on the ecu as expected from this type of part from year to year. To me, it seems they should essentially be identical. I know the (reflashable) 2001 ECUs don’t plug up right because of the pins, but will a year 2k ecu albeit with a slight variance in part number work okay for this application? I really sould like to know if my plan is fully sound, and I’d love to find a compatability chart if there is one. Help?
Many Thanks
Many Thanks
Last edited by Onizuka; 10-09-18 at 12:10 PM.
#2
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The 2000 year was a bit funky with the computers. I would not buy it unless you are willing to throw money away just to see if it will work.
You need and ECU and master key from a 98-99. I
You need and ECU and master key from a 98-99. I
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Thanks for the reply! Not exactly sure what you mean by ‘funky’, but good to know that it’s more of a risk situation with that one. The problem still arises that I can’t find one within that year bracket of 98-99 that includes the key.
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The problem I’m facing is I haven’t been able to easily source an ecu that comes with the key. Every scrapyard and salvage parts place that I’ve called has every part of these cars including ecu, except the key. I’m looking at one for sale with the key, but it’s not cheap compared to every other offering, and I’m waiting for them to reply on my offer for a slightly better price. If not I’ll have to wait until I get paid tomorrow to go ahead and buy it. Somehow it all reminds me of the haggling scene in Monty Python’s Life of Brian.
edit: 01+ models have the EEPROM chip whose acronyms stand for Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Module. I think Lexus was involved in a class action lawsuit for the pre-01’s being so involved in getting this sorted out, specifically without the dealer’s help. Which is also why they offer a “free” ecu once for a car if you lose the keys provided you buy new ones, which seems fair if you lost them. But in reality for me, the plastic case opened up and dropped the chip somewhere and I never saw it again, which I’m hesistant to accept blame for, either.
Last edited by Onizuka; 10-09-18 at 04:30 PM.
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edit; I’m too new. I think I need a moderator to give me marketplace posting privileges.
Last edited by Onizuka; 10-09-18 at 05:37 PM.
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#8
With the earlier ECU's they can only be reprogrammed up to 3 times iirc and no more than that due to the rom based software. With the later ECU's they can be re-flashed as many times as you want. If I was you I would go to the Lexus dealer and buy a new key (they will cut it for free when you bring in your title and drivers license so they can match your name and vin). Next there is a listing on ebay for $150 that will reprogram your current ECU when you mail it to them along with your new key (they will also provide you a extra spare key cut to the key you provide them).
I had to go through ebay for the cheapest option in my area as I wanted to avoid the dealer when I lost my one and only key. $141 a piece for 2 new master keys and $190 for a ebay ECU re-flash was my cost last year.
I had to go through ebay for the cheapest option in my area as I wanted to avoid the dealer when I lost my one and only key. $141 a piece for 2 new master keys and $190 for a ebay ECU re-flash was my cost last year.
#9
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My dealer, Lexus of Austin charges 1/2 hour labor plus the cost of the key, to reprogram the ECU to the new master key.
We buy cars at auction with no key a few times a year and this is the standard route we go...
And yes, a tow truck or trailer is involved.
We buy cars at auction with no key a few times a year and this is the standard route we go...
And yes, a tow truck or trailer is involved.
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With the earlier ECU's they can only be reprogrammed up to 3 times iirc and no more than that due to the rom based software. With the later ECU's they can be re-flashed as many times as you want. If I was you I would go to the Lexus dealer and buy a new key (they will cut it for free when you bring in your title and drivers license so they can match your name and vin). Next there is a listing on ebay for $150 that will reprogram your current ECU when you mail it to them along with your new key (they will also provide you a extra spare key cut to the key you provide them).
I had to go through ebay for the cheapest option in my area as I wanted to avoid the dealer when I lost my one and only key. $141 a piece for 2 new master keys and $190 for a ebay ECU re-flash was my cost last year.
I had to go through ebay for the cheapest option in my area as I wanted to avoid the dealer when I lost my one and only key. $141 a piece for 2 new master keys and $190 for a ebay ECU re-flash was my cost last year.
Last edited by Onizuka; 10-10-18 at 02:15 PM.
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Mine is a 2004 but at the time when I was researching, there is options to reprogram earlier ECU's like your's.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRz2b1S2PGk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRz2b1S2PGk
Last edited by Onizuka; 10-11-18 at 11:19 AM.
#13
Did you ever get your new key and have it reprogrammed? Here is a link on ebay for 98-00 ECU service at $80 which is the cheapest I have seen.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/ECM-KEY-PRO...6O3s:rk:9:pf:0
https://www.ebay.com/itm/ECM-KEY-PRO...6O3s:rk:9:pf:0
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Did you ever get your new key and have it reprogrammed? Here is a link on ebay for 98-00 ECU service at $80 which is the cheapest I have seen.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/ECM-KEY-PRO...6O3s:rk:9:pf:0
https://www.ebay.com/itm/ECM-KEY-PRO...6O3s:rk:9:pf:0
update;
I got the new ecu with key in the mail. It’s a 99 and my car is a 98. I think there’s a chip in the key cylinder assembly they supplied, but I tried installing just the ecu and seeing if anything would fire up. Apparently, it’s a lot more complicated than sticking in a new ecu, because it definitely didn’t even power the dash lights or the steering wheel adjustment welcome I get with my original ecu. I want to check if this ecu is good, but I feel like something is not letting it work on my car, not even letting me get interior power. I don’t know if these require vin programming but I read on another thread that usually these older lexus models do not. I’m not so sure what to believe anymore. I might have to start messing with the lock cylinder and swapping it maybe. The new one they sent me has a little electrical
box that goes to it and like, a little rubberized chip sitting tightly in an indentation on the outside of the lock. The guy who sold it to me said it would work as long as I “swap everything”. Maybe I should blindy just do it?
Last edited by Onizuka; 10-18-18 at 02:46 PM.
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Hi everyone, I put the new ecu in and transferred the rubberized chip on the ignition switch and the little electric module that plugs into the sensor. The ecu chip is exactly the same as the one on my car, but I haven’t been able to get any power to the car with it. No dash lights or anything. Is there anybody with knowledge about these cars that can please help. I really hope the ecu I ordered isn’t shot. I also found the car has an immobilizer ecu. Could it possibly be rejecting the used ecu to the point it doesn’t even let me get power to the instrument panel, etc?