I've searched many threads about my question and the answers aren't clear. I have a 2009 Prius with the smart key system. I want to buy another fob. The dealer wants about $330 with programming. Can I order a new (unused) non-smart key fob from the Internet that will work? One dealer told me no and another didn't know. I don't see what difference it makes. The new non-smart key is around $170 and I can program it myself. I just want to make sure that doing so doesn't disable the smart key fobs or something else bad. Thanks.
Ok, I will share what I know. #1, I am no expert. With that said, this is what I know. According to 2005 black emblem keyfob | PriusChat "post #3" plainly states that a black logo key fob is non SKS, and a silver key fob is SKS. When I went through getting a second keyfob, the stealer told me that the black one would not work on our '09. Our '09 does have SKS, therefore I am assuming (hate to do that) that the reason the stealer told me it would not work was so they could enable the new key fob to work normally with all functions including SKS. SKS type keyfobs can be carried in your pocket or purse, and do not have to placed in the slot of the car to be able to drive the car. A non SKS (black logo) must be placed in the slot before you attempt to drive away. This explains what the difference is. You asked if you bought one of the internet and can you program it yourself. That depends on many factors. 1. What you buy, and 2. how you program it. There have been user's on PC Chat sucessfully doing the "chickendance" method with the silver keyfob and able to program everything including SKS with a new keyfob bought from a reliable source. You may or may not be successful with the black logo keyfob if you simply want to plug it in the dash every time you want to drive the car. You will not be successful trying to program a black keyfob to utilize the SKS on a SKS equipped Prius. New key fob question, please? | PriusChat AND Yet another silver/black key fob question | PriusChat If you read the two above post's (links) you will see that everyone is pretty much saying the same thing. I believe you will end up getting a "new silver logo" before you have "luck" with the programming. As Weston said in post #7 of the last link above, the black keyfob was a bust. My question to OP (nova) is this? How are you going to program it? What method or tools will you be using? Do you want SKS feature's or not? For the record, Toyota will use "Techstream" software when they program key fobs. They don't do the chicken dance method referred to here on Prius Chat. Ron
Thanks, Ron for telling it like it is. I just wanted to buy a black logo key fob from a website that I've used before (keylessride.com). I programmed a non-SKS fob for a 2005 Camry (that didn't have SKS) with no problems. I planned to use the non-SKS fob for my Prius by using the buttons to open/close the doors. I also know that I'd have to stick it in the slot to start the car. SKS is great, but I'm just trying to save money on buying a spare fob. However, it's not worth it if it turns into a nightmare.
there is no definitive answer on this but in some areas, there are locksmiths able to do this. they may be less than a dealer if you can find one. otherwise, you can shop dealers for a better price.
I went with the new silver fob from the dealer and the chicken dance. $170 and I'm set up so that if the original smart key is lost or damaged I can use the spare to program a third new key.
I paid 155 for a brand new key fob (with the SILVER LOGO on the back...very important), and programmed all features including SKS successfully using the so-called "chicken dance" method. The fob works flawlessly. I Am happy to help you in any way I can, but yes you can do this yourself. My dealer told me I couldnt do it, too. And they wanted me to pay them 350 dollars for a new fob. Hogwash.
I waited too long with my only remaining FOB that lost functionality during a failed chicken dance. Now to make matters worse the buttons on it are broken, yet SKS still works and car starts if I plug FOB into dash. So if I buy brand new FOB I can't do chicken dance... :-( Guess I'll have to get tech stream service to program it? Question: Is it really true that a used silver SKS FOB can't be programmed to work on a different car? I have a second FOB that the car came with when I bought it used 6 months ago but the metal key doesn't match the car so I assume the FOB isn't working and hasn't respond to chicken dance because it's not a FOB that was for my car after all? Is this FOB I have programmable via a Toyota tech stream user who has security subscription? Or should I sell it to some fool on ebay like everyone else is doing? (I won't do that!)
Wooooohooooohhh. Look at Julia go!!!!!. You tell 'em Julia. That is Hogwash!!!!. To the OP, Listen to this lady, she knows what she's talking about!!!
From what I understand from the posts is that you need a old working fob and a new fob for the chicken dance. But if you sent the car to the dealer or a good locksmith they can reprogram the car to a used fob, not the used fob to the car. You'd have to confirm with the shop doing the work and if they can I'd get more used fobs from ebay and have several fobs done at the one time.
Ok.. just read another post. Forget the last part of my last post. Used keys don't seem to be worth the cost of reprograming.
