Quick Key question

[breadbin]

Hi, I bought a 2nd hand '99 corolla van last year and only got one key, which it turns out is a spare and copies cannot be made, so I am told. It is getting a bit worn and I need a new key. The guy in my local dealer said I need to replace the whole ignition system and lots more and will cost me €600. Is this true? I know there is a chip in the key and was told byy somebody else that if I make a copy of the key and when I go to use it if I place the old key with the chip, near the ignition the copy will work. It seems a long shot but what can anybody advise here. I can't really afford the €600 on a poxy key. Is there any way around it. thanks

[95 COROLLA]

you could probably go to the dealer and get your key code and get them to make you a new key. thats what I did with my 95 corolla my old key was worn out so i bought a cool blank key off e-bay and got my key code at the dealer and they cut it for me. but since yours has a chip you would probably have to buy a blank from them it shouldent cost to much to buy a new key and get your key code all you have to do to get your key code is go to the dealer and tell them you want a new key and give them your vin and they should get your key code out of the system.

good luck

[NRM]

Wow, they are ripping you big time.

I forgot if they keep the keys in thier system for 5 years or for 10 years. Typically all you need is your VIN number for them to cut you a new key. The keys with a transponder will run around 60-80 dollars. If they no longer have it in the system, then you'll need your key code, but since you bought the car uesd, I'm guessing you don't have it.

Go to another dealership and see what they say.

[Raddman]

Originally Posted by breadbin

Hi, I bought a 2nd hand '99 corolla van last year and only got one key, which it turns out is a spare and copies cannot be made, so I am told. It is getting a bit worn and I need a new key. The guy in my local dealer said I need to replace the whole ignition system and lots more and will cost me €600. Is this true? I know there is a chip in the key and was told byy somebody else that if I make a copy of the key and when I go to use it if I place the old key with the chip, near the ignition the copy will work. It seems a long shot but what can anybody advise here. I can't really afford the €600 on a poxy key. Is there any way around it. thanks

You can get one made at a locksmith for 1/2 the price of a dealer...Also I had the locksmith by-pass mine because I was having a starting problem because in time the wiring gets worn in your steering column and will cost you $200-300US to replace....He just by-passes the lock using a wire with your chip code on it and you can use any regular key to start...It cost me $25US and he did it right in my driveway in 10 minutes with no problems since....Radd Guy...

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I replaced the headlights in my car with strobe lights, so it looks like I'm the only one moving.
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[freakinbox]

would probably cost alot for just one key. For my 1989 sr5 it would cost $15 for a key and there is nothing special about it. They can make doubles for you if you want! DOn't let them mess you around saying the ignition system crap! Like so bs. you can make a copy of a copy with a key if you want and it would still work and turn the car on! But toyota has to do the key for you or at least get a blank from them

[breadbin]

thanks, I thought it was a bit much. I will ring around the various dealers. I might ask some locksmiths about it too. I don't even want the transponder thing. I tmakes no difference to me. More hasssle than it is worth. Cheers

[Raddman]

I don't even want the transponder thing. I tmakes no difference to me. More hasssle than it is worth. Cheers

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Then why not just go with the by-pass idea Its cheap, fast and easily done and you can use a $1.00 duplicate key to start your car after that....As it said I
had it done a few years ago with no problems at all ...Good Luck...Radd Guy

[breadbin]

I have found a guy near to me that might be able to cut a copy with a transponder in it. I will try him first. I hope the key is not too worn. cheers all the same

[breadbin]

Success, I brought it into a regular lock smith and he had a copy made in about 3 minutes. He has to read the chip with some electronic thing and then transfer it onto the blank key chip. Then cut as normal. Very painless and although it was not cheap at €95, it was far off €600. I am well happy now. Thanks for all the advice.

[Raddman]

although it was not cheap at €95

Wow...$112USD just for a key I think I'm going to move to Ireland and become a locksmith ...~Radd Guy~

[epsylum]

I just bought a used (only 4200 miles) Corolla XRS. For some damn reason they only had the vlaet key (the grey one), also called a sub-key. My buddy is a toyota mechanic at the same place I bought it at. He told me that basically you have to have a master key to make another key, master or valet. I went back to the dealership and bitched. They (the sales people) didn't understand what i was saying. they kept saying "we can look up your code from your VIN". As my buddy explained, yes they can, but it still won't do any good because it still won't let you program the key without a master key. I got lucky. the new ECUs have the ability to reprogram the code at the ECU and reprgram the kesy from there. My buddy actually was the one who wound up doing it on my car. So now I have a new ocde on my ECU adn 1 working master key (in my safe at home) and 1 working valet key (on my key ring). He told me to just buy another key and have it cut, but not to program it as he can program it at my house for free, now that I have a master key. Now he said if was only about 3 years older (something about a 32bit ECO compared to a 64bit ECU or somethign like that) then I would have had to get a new ECU that would in turn come with pre-programmed keys setting be back a lot of cash (I would have bitched and had the dealer pay for it since they sold me a car without a master key and didn't tell me).

Basically what your guy told you is correct, if you do not have a master key. Now as far as the "bypassing" thing, i would say it would be worth it to look into it. It may save you a ton of cash.