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New SKS Key fob question about programming

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by MarkB1000, Oct 4, 2007.

  1. MarkB1000

    MarkB1000 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2007
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    There was one little problem when I picked up my 2008 pkg 2 last week. The dealer had lost one of the key fobs, and also the manual. They loaned me one of the salesman's manuals for a 2007 so I could study up.

    Now they've told me that a new fob and the correct manual have arrived and I should bring the car in to program for the new fob. I've read here (I think) that the car is limited to 5 key fobs, and after than needs something done to the computer which is pretty expensive in order to break that 5 key limit.

    Perhaps I misunderstood what I read, but my feeling is that if they've accidentally put me down by 1 key towards that limit then they need to guarantee that if I have to go to a sixth key, whatever has to be done to the car should be at their expense.

    But maybe what I read actually means 5 keys at one time instead? Because the salesman told me that when I bring the car in, they can remove the lost key from the computer and add the new one and it will be no problem.

    So if anyone could help me with this I'd appreciate it. I'll try searching for the threads on this subject but as I recall there were some disagreements about key fob facts and I thought it might be more productive to post this specific question separately.

    Thanks!

    Mark
     
  2. davidrmay

    davidrmay New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2010
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    Location:
    Chicago
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I own 2005 Prius (though I believe what I've found holds for other Toyota/Lexus cars, too)

    After we bought our Prius we immediately added another key as we had 3 drivers. I buy all my keys on ebay. Over the years we lost and replaced keys (all bought on ebay). When we went to add the 5th key (which was definitely used by the way); we hit the lifetime limit of 4.

    I called Toyota and they explained that you can have the dealer "reset the computer" and re-program all the keys again. We went to the dealer with this new information and 2 hours later all three keys worked again (all as smart keys not manual keys).

    So I've learned.
    you can buy used keys on ebay and program them to the car
    up to 4 keys lifetime it is one hour of programming for the key to be added
    over 4 keys lifetime and need to add 5th; then it is 2 hours of programming to "reset the computer" and re-program all the keys.
     
  3. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2006
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    Location:
    Northern Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    You aren't down a fob. You do, however, want to have the dealer reset the system to get rid of the missing fob, otherwise there is another key for car floating about.

    Keep in mind that the advice about reprogramming used smart fobs only applies to dealers with the proper support. Not all dealers are able to reseed the SKS ECU.

    Tom