Finally! How to program a non-SKS key/fob. Detailed!

Hi there Scott121,

My effort didn't seem to work. I have a 2004 Prius, UK version and got the eBay fob programmed to start the car but no success in programming to unlock/lock despite various attempts, at the 11 - 13 points. I am wondering what am I doing wrong. 2 secs, 1.5 secs, 1 sec didn't seem to do it for me. Any other tips?

My question is > If I had locked the car remotely with my working fob and lost it. If I open the car with the manual key, the alarm will sound. Can I then insert the new fob (which can start the car under normal circumstances) to silent the alarm and start the car?

txs!

 

I have a 2007 Prius with silver logo fob. I bought it used and got a 2nd unprogrammed silver logo fob from the (non Toyota) used car dealer. I was able to program the 2nd fob to start the car just fine using the instructions in this thread, but cant get the remote lock/unlock programming to work. When I get to step 9 where it's supposed to lock/unlock the doors twice to confirm that it's in ADD mode, it only locks/unlocks once. Can anyone tell me how to get the lock/unlock programming to work? I really dont want to spend $100 to have Toyota do it.

TIA

BTW neither fob starts the car unless it's in the dash.

 

Your original FOB should start the car even when it's not in the dash. Make sure the SKS button below the steering column is depressed. Let us know if the reprogrammed unit works. I've been told the unlock with button feature is very tricky in timing, and i still haven't gotten it right myself. Good luck!

 

First, there is no such things as an unprogrammed key for a prius. Rather one programs that prius to match up with the key. And while it's easy to get a non smart key to fully to fully work with a Prius, it's quite different with a smart key. I've been reading the various related threads to this issue for months and I don't think anyone has succeeded on their own to get a used smart key to work fully with their Prius. I know at the dealer, they use a computer to clear all keys from the Prius and then add the new smart as well as the older smart key. And if the smart key has been locked(they are locked after being used at least 128 times), it can't be used. The Prius won't been able to read the smart key to match up with it.

Now I don't know if a Prius can see a smart key as a dumb down non-smart key like the fob I have and only unlock the doors and start the car.

In any case, good luck..

Steve

 

I'll be a son-of-a-biscuit eater! I tried the 5-step ("differences in red") instructions (on page 3) and I got the new Smart key to work (to start the car only) perfectly! I can use the metal door key to get into and out of the car should it come to that..I didn't want to be stuck with a Prius I couldn't start!

I regret that I spent $50.00 at the Toyota dealership to have them tell me they couldn't do (in 30 minutes with two Master Techs working on it) what I just spent two minutes doing...making a spare smart key work to start my '08 Prius!

 

Write a polite request for a refund with your story and enclose the instructions. You might get your money back, and they will then be able to better help the next customer.

 

RobH or anybody who is a good elect tech or Engineer thank they could find a way around this 128 time seed chip and enable us to use the used key fobs. I would think this would be an interesting study for the right person. I could certainly use some help in this area. Thanks for Any help I can get. I have a 2008 Prius package 5 and only got one key with it. I have since bought a Logo and non logo key. Programing them to start the engine was easy for me. No luck with the button or smart function.
Roy

 

Hi Roy. The 128 number is just a possibility on the non-SKS keyfob. The chip is capable of using it, but I certainly don't know if Toyota chose to use that facility. The SKS keyfob is technically a very different animal. I've looked at a trace of the signals from both, and made some sense of the non-SKS version. The non-SKS version repeats the same data about 5 times for each button press. The SKS version clearly sends multiple blocks of data, but not as exact repeats of the same data. Maybe it sends several corrupted versions of the data, and the receiver chooses the one with a good checksum. do not know, I didn't get very far.

One very interesting possibility with the non-SKS keyfob is that perhaps the 16-bit usage counter could be wrapped back to zero. While I'm not particularly interested in pressing the button about 64,000 times, an automated test driver could do it in several days. If successful, such a technique could be used to recycle a used keyfob back to the initial (programmable) state. Now is it really worth attaching a $50 keyfob to a dedicated computer for several days in order to upgrade the market value to maybe $150 (a good price for a new keyfob)? As an engineering challenge, it's attractive. As a business idea, there are a lot easier ways to make money.

Just how large the usage counter in the SKS keyfob is is not generally known. If it's 32 bits, then that several days brute force method for the non-SKS keyfob becomes 64,000 times as large for a SKS keyfob. Timewise, the approach is just not viable.

Technically, the Keeloq (non-SKS keyfob) protocol is weak enough that some lab equipment found at universities and a modern PC could be used to bypass the security. I think Toyota agrees, as they have dropped the non-SKS keyfob for Gen3. The Gen2 SKS keyfob is clearly superior, and who knows about the Gen3 keyfob?

If you want to add a full function SKS keyfob to a Prius, then it absolutely requires a keyfob that has a very low usage count. Maybe one that has spent its entire life as an unused spare might work, but in general the requirement is a new-from-Toyota-parts unit. The best price I've found is about $135+shipping from Auto Parts - Parts.com, For Every Part of Your Life . The part number is 89994-47061. Plus programming the car to accept the new keyfob ($30 to $200).

 

RobH, Thanks for the info. I found it very interesting. I took apart a non SKS fob (Black Logo) that I couldn't program to use the door buttons, just to look at. I found the chip you refried to and was trying to cut the power leg to it and ended up breaking the chip on one end away from all four legs. I was hoping to disable the chip and remove the lock. AFTER i broke the chip the little red light wouldn't com on any more, so that was the end of my experiment. It's not hard to get apart, just bang the parting line with a small thin screw driver and pry it apart, then you can play with it. I did glue it back together, at first I just taped it and low and behold it would still start the car, which I didn't really expect. So the start system doesn't use this chip at all. I really only know some DC and AC house wiring. I know O about digital.
I would like to ask everybody if anybody has tried to use the (Toyota Smart Keymaker). If so has anybody been able to program a used SKS fob with it? If so let me know. I don't think the people selling them have ever used them. Asking them the above question and they will only repeat what is in their site literature. Thanks Roy

 

Hi Everybody, I was able to program an SKS Key for my 2008 Prius using the written instructions on this link. I finally gave up on used keys and bought a bran new one. First time I got It to put the car in ready mode. Smart key programing was a little harder. I got it on the third try. I am now a firm believer in the 128 button push lock out. I bought the key on ebay for $109.88 with free shipping. He had 8 keys and I bought 1. May have 7 left. The item # is 180403812884 If you need and want one. Good luck Roy.

 

Hi Rapidroy,

Did you say you programed Smart key? If yes, please let me know the procedures.

 

Hi ggcc, I used the instructions from the first post on page 9. They were posted by Svlle and were originally posted by Scott 121. Keep in mind that if your key fob has had the buttons pushed 128 times or more it is locked out and can't be programed using this method. If you bought it used it is unknown whether it can be programed. I used a brand new Smart key fob and was able to program it to accept the smart key function using the instructions on page 9. Good luck. Roy

 

Hi Roy,

Thank you for the hope. I bought used 2006 Prius with used smart keys, one is working and the other is not working. I think 1st I have to make sure new battery for the one that I am going to program. If it does not work then I will buy the new smart key then.

Thanks again.

 

Thanks for posting this! I'm working on finding a used key now

 

This is a good ebay search string for NON SKS fobs:

Prius (fob, remote) -silver -camry -avalon -rav4 -matrix -2001 -02 -2002 -03 -2003 -2010 -jacket -leather -instructions -bypass -Sequoia -Cruiser -switch -celica -highlander

link

*remove "-silver" to include SKS fobs

 

Anyone try this on a 2009?

 

Thanks for posting this. After a week of using the metal key to open my doors I can again use my non-sks fob to lock and unlock my car! I followed the directions to re-program my only fob. The process worked the first time.

Steve
2006 Prius
82,630 miles

 

Thanks sooooooooooooo much :rockon: --- car operation programing worked first time, door program took me several tries :frusty:, but finally --- success!! Hard to believe it works -- its almost like a secret handshake

 

I had to go to "search" then "advanced search" then keyword "program" then "search titles only" --- at least I think thats how I found it