solara keys (chip keys)

[uha1]

I just would like to remind you guys If you have only one master key (black fat one) you would better duplicate it asap!.
If you have already lost you master key, and have only one valet key (dark-gray one), here is the bad news: A Valet key can not be duplicated!! You can copy the valet key but you can programe it!..
This what the dealer told me. The only way to duplicate it or I should say, to get new keys, is to take the car to a Toyota dealer and they will reset your onboard memory and than they will get you the new key. Which costs $700 (reset) + key($80 each) + programing the keys($40 each) + tax.

If you lose your keys and can not start the car add towing fee + new window


If any one knows any other ways to duplicate the valet key, I would be glad to hear that.

[Astro]

Interesting, I've got 2 master keys - but no valet key.

[TMMK Toy]

What year camry u talking about here

[uha1]

What year camry u talking about here

regardless of year or model. any kind of keys with chips.

[Gangis]

Actually, Toyota will cover the cost of an ECU replacement if you lose or never had master keys to begin with. This was the case for me. I had to pay labor, but that was it.

If the dealer gives you trouble, tell them to look on PANT, under 03-09 posted on May 14, 2003 about the ECU replacement policy.

[NeFaRiOuS_SLE]

Been there done that... I bought my car from CarMax delivered with only the valet key; had to be without my car for almost a week, but they gave me 2 master keys in the end without charge.

[Frico]

When I bought my car from the dealership, they handed me 2 master keys and a valet key. However they did inform me that if I ever needed a new key to come see them because of the chip inside (at a cost). Never try to get a copy from a locksmith or hardware store those keys will not work.

[uha1]

tell them to look on PANT, under 03-09 posted on May 14, 2003 about the ECU replacement policy.

hey gangis,
that sounds good, I havent got a master key at all. can you explain it little bit more. any idea where can I find that policy?

[ozone]

In about 2002 I had some damage repaired on my Spyder, the body shop lost the valet key I gave them. The dealer used the VIN number to get me a replacement key, but it was a master. They said they could not get me a valet, which ticked me off because it was the only new car I had/have ever owned and I wanted to keep it as perfect as possible.

The body shop told me the dealer charged them $80.00 for it.

So I don't get the part about needing a new window. You don't need to break or replace a window just because the keys are lost.

Also, I don't believe you necessarily need to go to the dealership to reset the ECU for a new key. I'm not certain about this, but I believe my big thick Solara book tells you how to do it yourself. I'll try to check on this and verify.

[NeFaRiOuS_SLE]

Good luck; usually those things are designed to not be reprogrammed by thieves; post hot-wiring or valet drivers alike and therefore the reason it has to be sent in to be reflashed... But then again in my case there was a glitch from the ECU where the car would still start with a plain metal key and giving inconclusive results to the OBD scanner.

[Snake2715]

I ordered from Mykeyless on Ebay.... This is my second time using him and they keys were cut locally and worked perfect. My wife used them last night to drive the Solara to work actually.

[uha1]

I ordered from Mykeyless on Ebay.... This is my second time using him and they keys were cut locally and worked perfect. My wife used them last night to drive the Solara to work actually.

I had ordered my keys from Mykeyless on ebay too, but I couldnt programe it just because I hadnt got the master key. The car might shut off the security mode but wont let you in to the programing mode with the valet key.

[Yanks0114]

Never try to get a copy from a locksmith or hardware store those keys will not work.

Not true at all. At my father's hardware store, we can absolutely cut and program almost any key with a transponder, including toyota keys.

[Dawgz]

i bought two keys from ebay, one for my "box" for the remote starter, and one to keep as a spare, i got both programmed from Toyota (Caldwell Toyota) for free.


but like i said, the same exact instructions on the board on how to program the keys were the same exact procedures the tech did to program the keys, i saw him doing programming the keys.

[KeepItSimpleStupid]

I got a couple of keys for various reasons. One time to have a backup and the other because I bent it.

I got the keys cut at my dealer and did the programming myself. I think the key was about $30 with a $50 programming fee.

I have a hard time identifying a master and a slave, so I engraved an M and an S on the metal portion of the key.

You need a master to program a slave key. Think of it this way, you give a valet key to the valet parker. he/she duplicates the key and then steals the car later. You don't give master keys to people you don't trust.