96 XLS Keyless Entry Question.....

[tah]

Noob question,

Got a 96 XLS and see keyless entry listed some places as standard.

Was it standard.....and if so can I get an eBay key and program it or am I faced with the high-dollar keys from Toyota?

All I got with the car was a plain key.....non Toyota.

Thanks

[TrailDust]

As far as I know (and also according to Edmunds) keyless entry was not a standard feature with the XLS that model year. Perhaps another member can confirm that.

[tah]

Seeems like after looking around it was a dealer installed option. Not 100% on that but that's the way it's looking........

[TedL]

Look under the front passenger's seat for a black box. If found, read the Toyota part # (if there) and FCC ID. That will identify.

[tah]

Nuttin but air........

These units ever show up on FleaBay?

[Tupperware]

Not worth the trouble, in my opinion, to try and retrofit factory keyless entry. My factory remote has a range of about 30 feet with a fresh battery. I think the owners manual in my '99 indicated a range of 1 meter! Things must have gotten better in later years, as I have a 2003 Camry that has a transmitter that works from a much farther range.
Instead, I had a local stereo shop (with an excellent reputation) install a remote starter instead. It came with two keychain remote units that operate from up to 1,000 feet away and totally replace my factory remotes.

[tah]

Thanks for the info....good advice.

Question on the aftermarket fobs. Can you press once for Driver Door Unlock and then again gives you every door unlock?

Should be hooked up this way, just depends on where "in line" they install the solenoid that unlocks the door.

[Tupperware]

Originally Posted by tah

Thanks for the info....good advice.

Question on the aftermarket fobs. Can you press once for Driver Door Unlock and then again gives you every door unlock?

Should be hooked up this way, just depends on where "in line" they install the solenoid that unlocks the door.

Good question. I'd guess it depends on what the car has in place already. In your case, the car has/had no keyless entry option, right? But it might operate in such a was that turning the key in the drivers door first unlocks only the drivers door. A subsequent turn of the key would then open all doors. In this case I'd expect that it would be possible to operate that way by the new remote. No solenoid is required in cars that already have electric operated door locks.
The system I have allows for the two-press option, but I programmed mine to open all doors on the first press. I also have it set up so that when I pop the trunk, all doors unlock. Makes sense for the way I live to do it that way. Hit one button, open trunk, load groceries/soccer bags and stuff the kids in at same time!
I get that there might one day be a situation where I might want to ONLY open my drivers door, but I usually try to stay out of those neighborhoods

[adu1982]

i dunno about 96 but i think 95' and up xls most of them came with alarm, if not all.

I have a leather xls and has remote (from factory I guess) since i was able to program my very cheap (actually cheapest on ebay I could find) remote from the park/brake module in the trunk.

A friend of mine just bought a 97 xls, non leather, but that does have the alarm I believe , since it has the security light up by the outside temp/ clock. I did not check if it was under his seat or in the back but...


My range really sucks, you have to be next to the car but....at least i do not put the key in..... however it could be my 15$ remote or the batteries in it.


This was the one i got (about a year ago) and I had to email him to send me different programming instructions then the stock ones that he shipped to me or found online (meaning what and which buttons to press before programming it)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TOYOTA-KEY-K...ht_2101wt_1185

[Tupperware]

Originally Posted by adu1982

My range really sucks, you have to be next to the car but....at least i do not put the key in..... however it could be my 15$ remote or the batteries in it.

Doubt it's your remote.

From the owners manual:

"Your vehicle has a wireless remote
control system that can lock or unlock
all the doors, or open the trunk lid
from a distance within approximately 1
m (3 ft.) of the vehicle."

The above is the reason that I sought an aftermarket solution. I didn't really need a remote starter but I wanted the increased range of the remote and the starter just added a few $ more