Smart key replacement

[MrX Member Find all posts View Profile Close MrX]

Hi... I searched for similar threads but they all seemed pretty old so I thought I would start a new one. I am looking to get a new key for my Kakadu and from Toyota are looking to charge me about $600 all up for the remote, blade, programming and cutting.

Looking around the interwebs, I see these items in eBay:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/TOYOTA-20...item3f453875ae

and

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/TOYOTA-LE...item4d2d0d765c

On the surface it would seem this is a pretty cheap way out but I am wondering if anyone has had any success with doing this or am I just going to lose my money?

Thx

[blueprado150 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close blueprado150]

I had to replace a lost key a few months ago..ouch it hurt...bad! I managed to get a fob and key from Toyota but through a backdoor contact. It still cost me $350 just for a blank fob and key. Then I had to take it to a locksmith that could program the fob and cut the key. Another $60 gone. I wasn't going to let Toyota do it as it would have cost me twice as much. I noticed that this locksmith had aftermarket fobs and keys to suit my 150 for not much more than what I paid for it all up. My suggestion would be to try and source an after market fob and key from a locksmith and avoid having to bend over at your local Toyota dealer's spare parts counter and leave knowing that everybody is sniggering behind your back as you walk out the door.
I would avoid buying one off eBay. Returns can be very hard when dealing with China and if you had any problems I doubt if they would refund that much money if the item was incorrect. Programming these keys seems to be a bit of a secret covert process that is hard to find any reliable information about. I would play it safe when dealing with such an expensive object which can cost you a lot more if you buy the wrong parts on eBay.
Sorry man, your going to just have to take a hit on this one.

Tip: Get an extra key cut. That way when you go to the beach (kitesurfing) etc., use the extra key to lock the drivers door with the remote inside the car. If you lock the door with a key you can not remotely unlock the door. Hang the key around your neck and enjoy the sun and surf, then use the key to unlock the drivers door and start the car in the usual way.

[Toyo Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Toyo]

I've never lost my Prado key but on my BMW it was only like $350 for the whole thing and it was also a hands free / proximity system. (Blank key, cut and programmed)

[vk2ss55 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close vk2ss55]

I've heard that you can't just get another key as when it's programmed you're other key won't work any more . Is it right then that you'd have to get 2 keys programmed ? Cheers Ross

[countryferal Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close countryferal]

Hey guys, new to this page and new to the Prado club..
Just wanted to bring this discussion back to life as my Kakadu only came with the one FOB and I've just been speaking to Toyota about refinancing my house to pay for another one...

$400 - FOB
$90 - Key
$150 - Code and cut.

Doesn't even include lube...

Anyone had any luck down other avenues where you'll have money left over for beer..!?

[Bassett Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bassett]

countryferal, In Bundaberg, try Rechenberg Locksmiths. I was talking to them the other day and they are currently charging a bit over $400. I was there to have the battery replaced in my fob and just asked the question. They also told me to be careful of buying on eBay or like as sometimes the electronics in the fob can vary depending on the date of manufacture of the vehicle and therefore some cheap fobs cannot be programmed for your vehicle.

[andoland Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close andoland]

There's a locksmith on ebay selling genuine toyota fobs and key for $300. I bought one 2 weeks ago.

[P W Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close P W]

Andoland, what ebay seller would that be???????
Phil

[andoland Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close andoland]

http://m.ebay.com.au/itm/Brand-New-T...%257Ciid%253A2

I think there at some point in time the key changed so there is a different one depending on when your prado was built. From memory the change was around 2012 but check with the seller whether it suits your vehicle.

[Mcquade Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Mcquade]

Just want to throw in my 2 cents.

One of the original fobs on my 2011 GXL decided to stop working (opened it up and found a very small electronic component/diode/transistor/something, had broken off the circuit board which immediately bricked the fob). Fortunately I still had the spare fob from my 2010 GXL (that was written off), so I headed down to the locksmith to get the old fob reprogrammed to the new Prado, which unfortunately couldn't be done as the locksmith told me that the model/version number of the circuit board (which is printed on the circuit board) had to match in order for it to be reprogrammed. He advised that even within the 150 Series Prados there a 4 different versions of circuit board and that if the numbers on both fobs/circuit boards match, then the reprogramming will work 100%, but if they don't match he can try to reprogram it but it will rarely work - which mine didn't

He also advised against buying/programming aftermarket fobs as they can be difficult to program and are unreliable, which is the last thing I want, because when the first fob died the family and I were staying on the gold coast for the weekend (from Brisbane) and we were stranded.

So it looks like taking a number and waiting to be bent over the spare parts counter at Toyota maybe the safest (and most expen$ive solution)....OUCH!!!
Just spoke to local Toyota dealer who quoted $407 for the fob and $66 for programming. didn't ask about the physical key/blade as I still have the one from the original dead fob.

[Tonz Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tonz]

Wisdom from the unwise.

recently my key broke out of the key holder , i guess you would call it . I was aware of the high costs for new key so looked for alternatives .

most shopping centers have aftermarket keys and fobs or all in ones, and separate keys , the general price i found was $250 in the three i approached ,
on face book i saw an add from a guy in a small shopping center who changed me $150 for a fold key fob , he reprogrammed an old fob of mine as well . so i left very satisfied indeed. i live on the gold coast and would happy to share the contact.

The other thing , it would be wise if i had only one key , to not allow myself to get cought out again , and have an aftermarket key and fob made up for the day that i loose the original or brake it in some way , i would be wise as we all know its gonna happen one day , i know cuz i just got caught my self in an unwise situation with the broken key.! and no working spare. !