replacing lost key for Camry 2000 XLE - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

WithMetta · 03-22-2008, 05:42 PM

Help. The dealer says it will take $1800 to replace the key so that the car starts. Tell me please that that isn't so. I cannot believe a lost key, even if it's "transponder" is connected to the computer could cost so much. I don't have the money.

Please advise. Thank you!!

WithMetta

TRD VVTi · 03-22-2008, 08:14 PM

Apparently, you don't have a spare key that can be used to duplicate so you need a computer also.

That will teach you to lose your key and not have a spare...

There's a reason you get two regular (or transponder) keys and a valet key when you purchase the car.

WithMetta · 03-22-2008, 08:51 PM

I thought this was a forum for people to help not diss each other. What kind of help is it to respond with sarcasm and some sort of glee about another person's trouble. If I said I couldn't afford $1800 does that not sound like a serious problem to you.
Would you like your doctor to tell you, if you were ill, too bad, you did something wrong and now you'll pay.

I am looking for serious
ANSWERS not spout offs.

I went to the car talk.com site and got good information and now I know I will not have to spend the money and can get it done anyway. And I guess you didn't know that information or you would have mentioned it. So I guess you learned something today. JERK.

***ASG14*** · 03-22-2008, 10:07 PM

$1800, WTF? Where in NY are you located?

WithMetta · 03-23-2008, 12:06 AM

I'm in NYC, on the very west side just off the river. Thanks for answering and understanding how MUCH that is. Don't they usually go for about $1000 or $1100??? The price is astronomical.

***ASG14*** · 03-23-2008, 12:10 AM

I'll ask at my dealer on Monday. I'm as close to an employee, without actually being one, at Toyota of Stamford, lol. I'm there almost daily, so I'll ask them.

Just out of curiosity, which dealer gave you the price, and do you actually have an estimate written down? Just wondering what amount is parts, and what is labor.

I know my dealership makes and programs those keys all the time. I think all you need is the keys (I think they are a little over $100), and 1 hour labor for programing (~$100) if I remember right.

If you end up doing it at my dealer here, I should be able to get you a nice discount on the keys (Probably 15-20% off), but not on the labor. Send me a PM on Monday to remind me to check, if you want me to. But I'm guessing that would require the car to be towed. Either way, I'll help ya get to the bottom of it as cheap as possible. Maybe I can get the programing instructions for you.

~Adam

WithMetta · 03-23-2008, 12:23 AM

Relative took it to a dealer in Morris County, New Jersey. It was parked in relative's driveway anyway so that's how that occurred. I don't know what was what, like parts v labor. I can find out. I am so illiterate when it comes to cars. Not a good place to be. Thanks so much!!!

***ASG14*** · 03-23-2008, 12:38 AM

Not a problem, always glad to help.

If the car won't start, did he have it towed to the dealer, or just ask the dealer about it?

WithMetta · 03-23-2008, 05:41 AM

He had it put on a flat-bed truck and towed into the dealer. Thanks so much, agan.

***ASG14*** · 03-23-2008, 09:01 AM

So just want to make sure I have this right when I ask my dealer on Monday. All your missing is the 2 keys that have the chip (transponder) in them, right? Other then that, everything works as it should, nothing else is broken? I'm really just trying to figure out where the $1800 is coming from.

WithMetta · 03-23-2008, 10:19 AM

First of all, thank you again!!
The car is fine. I have only one valet key left, no transponder keys. But, yes, the car needs no other work!!!

Thanks so much!

Mike Gerber · 03-23-2008, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WithMetta

First of all, thank you again!!
The car is fine. I have only one valet key left, no transponder keys. But, yes, the car needs no other work!!!

Thanks so much!

I'm no expert on the security chips in these keys, but shouldn't the valet key be able to start the car, so you can drive it to where it needs to go? I thought the valet key was just unable to open the trunk and glove box, if they were locked. It should still have the proper programed security chip in it. I wonder if the original dealer your friend took the car to was aware the valet key was still available? That may change things. Someone correct me if I am wrong on this.

Check for an online Toyota service manual for your generation 4 Camry. It should have the procedure for programing the keys in it. They were available here until recently for free downloading, but they have been pulled. You might try the Toyota Camry forum on Automotiveforums.com. I believe they may still have the manuals available there for downloading.

Also, I believe you just might be able to purchase the keys with the chip in them and get them cut at a dealership's parts department, if you have the key code written down somewhere. Then it might be possible to program the keys yourself using the procedure in the manual. If you don't have the key codes, then I would try calling Toyota corporate at 1-800-331-4331 and talk to customer service. Have your title handy so you can give them the vin number. I doubt whether they will give you anything over the phone without some kind of proof that you are actually the owner of the car, but they can probably direct you on the procedure. My guess is that you will probably have to go in to a dealership's parts department with proof of ownership, and that they will be able to obtain the proper key code for you and then cut the key blanks. That will still leave the programming, which I hope is in the manual. Make a few phone calls and see what you can find out. I would even call a local locksmith and see what they can tell you.

Good luck.

Mike

WithMetta · 03-23-2008, 12:57 PM

Thanks so much, Mike. It just seems impossible to me that there is no other way out of at least part of an $1800 bill so one of these possible alternatives has got to work.

I really appreciate your time and thoughtfulness. I'll follow up on the manual on the other forum.

Everyone who has answered has been such a great help. It's really reassuring to find that people want to help and that they have the knowledge to do so. I'm a little less panicked than I was yesterday.

I'll report in on my findings and also wait to hear from Adam.

Thanks again!! Happy Spring!

***ASG14*** · 03-24-2008, 04:00 PM

Are you the original owner? If so, has this already happened once before? If your not the original owner, do you know if it has happened?

My dealer said the FIRST time it happenes, reguardless of the age of the car, the computer is covered BY Toyota. So the cost to you, assuming this has NEVER happened to the car before, is 2 Keys (a little over $100 each key), and 1 or 2 hours labor (About $100/hr). So figure ABOUT $300-$400 said and done, if the car has never had this issue in the past.

csaxon · 03-24-2008, 04:38 PM

ASG14 is correct. Toyota usually will "good will" the first one.