My 2003 sedan was sold to me with two keys. One is all metal, and the other has a plastic 'head'.
The weird thing is...
The metal key works the ignition, trunk, and both doors
The plastic/metal key works the ignition, trunk, but only the driver's door. Not the passenger door (not properly anyway, and it only locks it but won't turn to unlock it).
Could the plastic/metal be a poorly made duplicate of the (original?) metal key?
In any case, I figure the locks on the '03 Echo are so low tech that it wouldn't take much to hotwire it.
Just for fun, these are the top ten cars stolen in Canada for 2009.
2000 Honda Civic SiR 2-door
2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV 4-door AWD
1999 Honda Civic SiR 2-door
2006 Chevrolet/GMC Trailblazer SS 4-door 4WD
2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT 4-door AWD
2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV 4-door AWD
1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder 2-door
2000 Audi S4 Quattro 4-door
2006 Hummer H2 4-door AWD
2005 Cadillac Escalade 4-door 4WD
3 Japanese.
6 domestic.
1 European.
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Roland Impulse Red Pearl 2003 Sedan my first Echo
My 2003 sedan was sold to me with two keys. One is all metal, and the other has a plastic 'head'.
The weird thing is...
The metal key works the ignition, trunk, and both doors
The plastic/metal key works the ignition, trunk, but only the driver's door. Not the passenger door (not properly anyway, and it only locks it but won't turn to unlock it).
Could the plastic/metal be a poorly made duplicate of the (original?) metal key?
In any case, I figure the locks on the '03 Echo are so low tech that it wouldn't take much to hotwire it.
Just for fun, these are the top ten cars stolen in Canada for 2009.
But shouldn't valet keys open all doors except for the trunk?
It is possible to lock the back seats so they don't fold and the trunk isn't accessible from the cabin, but both keys will open the trunk, and you can't lock the remote trunk release in the Echo (to the left of driver's seat).
Maybe in a Camry, but not the Echo.
Quote:
Originally Posted by heartdisease
I am 99.9 percent sure that that is a Valet key.
Thanks.
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Roland Impulse Red Pearl 2003 Sedan my first Echo
having checked the User Manual which, in this case is not entirely useful, it appears that I do not have a Valet Key with this car. Now, I say that the manual is not entirely useful, as it explains what the two master keys, and the one valet key look like. I did not receive a valet key with the car, but that's not the same as saying that it didn't leave the factory without one. The manual for this car is generic to the 2003 Echo, and contains many references irrelevant to my car.
But I shall conclude that it did not come with a valet key because there is no way to lock out trunk - either by locking out the remote trunk release (as mentioned above), or by double-locking the trunk (turn key to the left).
So one of the two master keys (the plastic/metal one) is faulty, as it won't unlock the passenger door. The other (metal) one will, so it is a bit of a mystery. Could the plastic/metal one be a poorly made copy?
End of story...?
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Roland Impulse Red Pearl 2003 Sedan my first Echo
Could the plastic/metal one be a poorly made copy?
End of story...?
The keys and cylinders do wear out, the keys wear out faster than the cylinders, you could try cutting a new metal key from the key code (do not copy the key that isn't working). Should cost about $4.00 for a new metal key (not OEM key ~$20.00) from the dealer or a good locksmith.
I've never had a key cut from a code before and, in any case, the code tag is missing. I imagine that any locksmith would be able to just duplicate the (all metal) key that works best.
I'd rather have the slimmer all-metal key, as it'll fit nicely in a mens' wallet as a spare.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stevo_Echohb05
The keys and cylinders do wear out, the keys wear out faster than the cylinders, you could try cutting a new metal key from the key code (do not copy the key that isn't working). Should cost about $4.00 for a new metal key (not OEM key ~$20.00) from the dealer or a good locksmith.
Thanks for the tip.
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Roland Impulse Red Pearl 2003 Sedan my first Echo
They could copy your key but they would be copying any imperfection with it.
I know our local locksmith charges more than the dealer does, and the dealer could get your key code using the VIN number.
Does that mean I can take the car in to any Toyota dealer, show proof of ownership, and have them look up the key code for my VIN.
Better still, they might be able to provide a replacement key for me?
Or I can take the key code to any(?) place that does key duplication and, using the code, they can cut a new key?
I'm new to having keys made just using a key code.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stevo_Echohb05
They could copy your key but they would be copying any imperfection with it.
I know our local locksmith charges more than the dealer does, and the dealer could get your key code using the VIN number.
Thanks.
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Roland Impulse Red Pearl 2003 Sedan my first Echo
as long as the dealer has a key machine, and almost all of them do, they will be able to cut you a key just using your vin number. I've had it done when I've locked my keys in my car.
They aren't usually the cheapest, but when you have lost or locked all your keys in your car, it is great.
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