2000 Solara Cranks But No Start Factory Alarm?

[cd_god]

Hello,
Stopping by from the Pickup / Hilux forum with a question. I asked on the Solara forum but it doesn't seem like anyone visits there. We got a 2000 Solara V6 automatic in our shop that was a repo. It cranks but won't start. It has a locksmith cut key which will operate the door locks and ignition switch, but not the original key which from some research I beleive should either be grey or black. We contacted the local Toyota dealer who said if you don't have the grey key it won't start. If you don't have the black key you can't add anymore new grey keys. The only way to add a new chipped key is to replace the ECM. There is a place listed online that will reprogram your ECM for $300 or so. I searched the Solara forum and found a thread about how to bypass the security system by jumping the red wires on the module under the center console but that seems to be for if the car won't crank. Does anyone know of any other method to bypass this? Can you take an ECM from a V6 auto 4 door Camry without security and plug it in?

[abew330]

you try give the dealer the vin number to get the key from them?
have you located the alarm/starter/remote kill?
cranks but wont start.... you check for spark? / fuel?
check fuses

[fenixus]

if the car has immobilizer it can do that. perhaps the key you are using has no transponder in it, so immobilizer stays active (armed) all the time after reset of power or so. however you can easily tell if it's the alarm plkaying tricks by looking at Toyota Security plate under the ashtray, by cigarette lighter. if red LED is blinking it's armed. if it's OFFLINE then alarm is disarmed and if that's the case I would check as mentioned above: plugs/wires and fuel pump, filter, fuses etc.

if alarm stays armed (led blinking) there should be a remote for it. original one (dealer/port) for 2000 solara is GREY in color and has FCC ID number BAB237131-022.
let me know if you need programming/adding instructions for a new remote.

alarm's central unit - you need to to add new remotes or transponder keys - is located under the central armrest (2 screws by gear shifting stick and 2 bolts on armrest box bottom. ECU itself is held to metal plate by 2 bolts on back, you need to remove them to get access to the magic green switch on ECU.

if you bring proof of ownership with VIN to dealer they can make new key for around $40 and program transponder, they also cutting keys for free if you bring your own blank one (programming still may cost extra).

[cd_god]

As far as I know the car ran until the day it was reposessed. We bought it at auction and it came with a flat key cut from the VIN with no transponder and no alram remotes. The car was towed to the Toyota dealership to have them cut a transponder key and reprogram it but they said without the original black transponder key that came with the car when it was new you cannot add more keys and without one of the grey non master transponder keys it won't start. They tried selling us a $1500 ECU which they said was the only way to make a new key work which seems sort of dumb on Toyota's part to design a system that costs you $1500 if you lose your keys.

The car cranks but won't fire and the red security light in the dash flashed while cranking. From what you describe if we get a transponder key cut from our flat key how do we get the module to accept it with the green switch? Any pointers you can offer are greatly appreciated.

I'm trying to get ahold of the person who the car got repo'd from to see if they have one of the keys they want to part with (not likely after getting your car repo'd) but have not been able to track them down.

[fenixus]

oh well, what you and they say is both right. without the master transponder key they cannot add new keys to current ECU. replacing ECU with a new one from dealer is one way (very pricey), the other way around it would be to somehow bypass the immobilizer which maybe hard to do without at least one working transponder though ...

third option however would be to buy a used working RS3000 ECU together with car's master key transponder. you might be able to get that if someone is parting out a totaled 2000 Solara. you might be able to get that also in junkyards or on ebay. master transponder could be used to permanently bypass ignition (on matching ECU) or to mount on top of current flat key to do the programming of new keys (on matching ECU).

remote you can buy on ebay, it's a separate from immobilizer thing. it's just for Car's Keyless entry (it can remotely disarm alarm system, but not the factory engine immobilizer - for that you still need a key with transponder for ignition immobilizer check).

remote that worked (no immobilizer on my model) with my ECU RS3000 model on 2000 Solara SE 2.2L i4 was:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...8094&viewitem=
$39.77 shipped

my car came with non-genuine key and no remote for car's alarm. since i have no immobilizer it was easy (no missing master transponder problem).
hope it helps.

[cd_god]

Thanks. What's the green switch you mentioned for?

[fenixus]

the green switch enables the ECU programming mode. I used it to clear its memory of old/lost remotes and added a new one.

some time ago i did a massive research on 99-01 solara alarm/immobilizer system. should still have some bookmarks somewhere. let me know if you need programming instructions.

here is RS3000 Toyota VIP user manual:
http://www.parksoffroad.com/tacomamo.../alarminfo.htm

what is the trim of you 2000 solara v6 SLE or XLE ?
i should have master key programming instructions somewhere.