Needing a new transponder car key?

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Farmer17

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I recently bought a used 2012 Toyota Rav4 that only came with one car key. I thought no big deal and went to a dealer to get another key to keep as a backup in case mine got lost, but the Toyota dealer told me an additional key would cost $308.00 I thought surely I could get one cheaper than that and went to ACE hardware and they said they could make me a key but they then said that the transponder is encrypted so they couldn't help me. It has been so long since I bought a car I didn't even know keys had transponder chips! Local locksmiths were no help so does anyone know what is the cheapest way to get a spare car key? My key has the lock/unlock buttons on it but I don't care if the back up is a plain key without the remote control.
 
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Too bad the locksmith couldn't help. If you were here in Wa, I could.

A blank is available without the buttons. Off the top of my head I think around $100 which includes programming.

Check other locksmiths in the area and see if they can help.

But definitely get another. You lose the one you have and it will cost you that $300 or more. :eek:
 
Welcome to the world of cars that can't be stolen without the key. If you don't have that little 5 cent chip in your key you car isn't going to start. Now, part of insuring that security feature is keeping the protocols for the chip locked up tighter than the Coca Cola recipe and because of this they can charge whatever they want for a key. So, the short answer is to pay the dealers asking price or do without. BTW, ask the dealer what it costs if you lose your original key and you'll think that spare is cheap.

Note, the really bad news in this is that when cars can't be stolen without a key car thieves respond by pointing guns at car owners and demanding the key.
 
Some Home Depot stores will cut and code a chipped key for $60.00; that's what a key cost me for my 2000 Mercury Sable.
 
This is something a lot of people don't think of when buying a used vehicle. If buying from a dealer always insist that an extra key be made as part of the deal. When I bought my pick-up a few years back I insisted on a total of three keys. Dealer did it without blinking an eye.

As far as your problem, I really think that $300 is way too much. Most dealers do it for $60 -100. Try another dealer.
Also, check with a few of the local Repo companies. They almost always have somebody who can make a key for them. ;)
 
My newer Lincoln has key programming instructions in the owners manual.
I can go anywhere to get the transponder key cut, and program it myself.

Look in the owners manual first.



Oops, just read kanewpadles post.
 
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There's a franchise lock smith named Abra Key Dabra and we have one in Louisville. A quick search didn't show one in Edmond but perhaps if you call some locksmiths they can point you in the right direction. Newer Honda keys have the remote built in the key head and are pretty pricey from dealers. AKD supplies the key blank and programmed mine for $100 and then made me a spare key with no remote for $50. Not cheap but way better than the dealer's gouging.
 
Couple of months ago went through this with a friends PT Cruiser.

This was in far western Kentucky.

Local locksmith could cut blanks for $22 EACH

Next stop was to have the new keys programed for $40.
Price was $40 FLAT RATE for one or more - we made sure to get EXTRAS.

Of course these are simple keys - NO PUSH BUTTON CONTROLS.

Bekeart
 
Last key with transponder I go was on flea bay. Found a lock smith to cut it, was going to file it myself, then like others suggested I programed it myself it was in the manual. Something like key off, key on, key off, hold your right toe, push button 80 times, scratch your head cause it didn't work the first time then start over or something like that. I think that was for a Chrysler though. Think I paid $25 for the key and $10 to have it cut. I worked after I programed it.

Just checked and seems like you might have to bite the bullet. seems they are different now.
here is a read if you want to try it your self.

http://www.rav4world.com/forums/96-4-3-general/92843-adding-extra-key-using-techstream.html

From a place that sells the keys. From Best Buy Remotes

"2010 2011 2012 Toyota RAV4

Before purchase please ensure your existing key has a "G" stamped on the keyblade near the plastic head

Condition: Brand-new. Comes with uncut blade and virgin immobilizer chip inside.

Programming: Before this key will start your vehicle you need to cut it and program the immobilizer chip which is in the plastic key head. Immobilizer chip requires diagnostic programming which can be performed only by a dealer or an automotive locksmith"
 
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Gents, I'm sure you're all just trying help.

This what I do for a living. If you decide to buy off the internet, BEWARE!! People come in all the time with keys bought from the internet that look OEM and are not. The blank dimensions are not the same so they will not duplicate. And sometimes the "chips" are defective.

Yes the blank must have a "G" on it. However some aftermarket manufacturers may not stamp a "G" on it but instead use their own part number.

This key cannot be programmed by any on board method. Diagnostic equipment must be used. The equipment we use cost more than most people make in three or four months.

Every make of vehicle requires different keys with different chips and different programing methods. And then it varies by year and model.

The best bet is to find an automotive locksmith.
 
I love transponder chips, specially the jalapeno spicy ones.
Geeze Louise, my transponder key went bad. "Let me help you with that, Big Fella", Louise replied.
 
If the key you do have is an original, you may be able to clone a key with your car's onboard computer. The computer stores the key ids - the key itself doesn't change. I have a PT Cruiser and I was able to do it but I don't know about your brand. You must have an original key to do this. Check the Internet and see if you can find the instructions for your make year and model car. You will need a key with the chip in it to do this and again, I bought mine online for around $30. Good luck!
 
Kanewpadle said:
Gents, I'm sure you're all just trying help.

This what I do for a living. If you decide to buy off the internet, BEWARE!! People come in all the time with keys bought from the internet that look OEM and are not. The blank dimensions are not the same so they will not duplicate. And sometimes the "chips" are defective.

Yes the blank must have a "G" on it. However some aftermarket manufacturers may not stamp a "G" on it but instead use their own part number.

This key cannot be programmed by any on board method. Diagnostic equipment must be used. The equipment we use cost more than most people make in three or four months.

Every make of vehicle requires different keys with different chips and different programing methods. And then it varies by year and model.

The best bet is to find an automotive locksmith.
Click to expand...


Listen to KP. He is giving you FREE PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. And, this is one time it is worth more than you payed for it.

And Grayfox said something we all should file away: when buying a new car, insist on an additional key.
 
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I'm the Parts Manager at a Toyota dealer. The dealer quoted you on the blank with the keyless entry transmitter built into the head I would say, as that is all they list from the factory. It is possible though to program a transponder key without the buttons, it takes a little more work though. They have to bring the car into the shop, see which key the car will read and then cut it. We do this all the time, the blanks run about $35 and programming another $30.
KP is right on the money though, this does have to be done at a dealer with the OBD tool.
 
All I know is that when I bought my Prius it was suggested that I add "key replacement" insurance on my auto insurance. Mine is the keyless entry system. I don't even need to take the key out of my pocket to unlock the door or start the car. (And it won't let me lock the car if a key is inside, (like my wife's purse...) unless I use the override button on my key.)

The downside to this is I don't know how many times I've gotten into my truck, put on my seat belt and then discovered its keys are still in my pocket.:mad: So it's undo the belt, get out, stand up to retrieve the truck key from my pocket and start over....:o
 
Each time we buy a car, we make sure we get at least 3 keys with it. We want one for each of us, plus a cheater key because we may need to leave the car locked and running to have A/C for the dogs on a trip (like cops do for patrol cars because of all the electronic gear).
 
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