SKS Key Technical Question

It's still worth trying the chicken dance with the old keyfobs. There must be a half dozen copies of it, with some variations on how long to hold a key, etc. Search for versions that are reported to work with new Gen3 vehicles.

Techstream is clearly easier to use than the chicken dance, once you get it installed. I regard Techstream installation as a project by itself, sometimes more hassle than trying the chicken dance multiple times. That $22 version on Amazon is a Chinese clone of the $500 Drewtech device, along with a hacked pirate copy of Toyota's software. Dodgy, but the legal alternative is $500 + $55 for a two day license to the official Techstream.

If the chicken dance or Techstream don't work, the next step is to do a seed reset. Seed numbers can be purchased for something like $35 each from a company in Lithuania. Or you locate a dealer/locksmith/mechanic who knows how to handle it. Best one I know of is Luscious Garage | Blog | Full Service Prius Key Programming in SF.

If you end up needing a mechanical key reverse engineered from the lock, there is a cheaper alternative. A replacement lock cylinder and two matching keys was cheaper than the locksmith charge last time I checked.

$100 each for the keyfobs with the A/C button was not a bad deal. They are rather rare on eBay, which means that you'd probably end up at a dealership to get them. And the ones you got can potentially be programmed with the chicken dance.

 

what is this talk about chicken dance on a gen3? if the manual keys don't work, then I would think things were already changed out. Those manual keys aren't easy to duplicate.....way over engineered for use on the door....and nothing else.

If you feel those keys are rare and can be sold online for $100, then by all means sell them and get your money back. Then all you have to do is buy a new key and program it yourself.

If you still want to try the reseed, contact member 3prongpaul after you get the minivci set up. He can probably help you with it.

 

I don't get $100 for an iffy used key transmitter.

A BRAND new once from an on line dealer costs about $130 delivered.

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A custom cut key can be had for about $17 delivered.

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That's where I got a new one and programed it with the $25 mini-vci and Techstream software
from Amazon.

I learned a long time ago from experiences such as yours to just pay a little extra for he simple and easy "guaranteed" solution.

 

Hey, you'll have three FOBs! Two working and a spare. As I recall, only two FOBs can be paired to the car at a time. But maybe that has changed.

 

No, according to my Techstream software, a total of five(5) can be stored in Gen III Prius models.

 

You may find it amusing to read through How to Program a New Key Fob for Full SKS Functionality | PriusChat .

It's basically a history of getting the chicken dance to work on Gen2 keyfobs. I just realized that the Gen2 "plug the fob into the dash" part isn't going to work on a Gen3.

But if you have a spare couple hours... Maybe the Gen2 procedure B dance might work on a Gen3 as follows: Remove the battery from the working Gen3 keyfob. Then wherever the Gen2 procedure says to "insert fob, remove fob" instead hold the batteryless working Gen3 fob up to the Start button. If you get the two beeps confirmation of ADD mode, you've got 40 seconds to get the battery back into the fob and press the two keys. Could probably do it with the circuit board out of the case.

Just a WAG that might work. Techstream is clearly an easier procedure.

 

I guess you shouldn't carry the DMV regristration in the glovebox if you are concerned about leaving identification behind for the theives.

 

You don't want to connect to Techstream with your computer connected on line. It will ask for an account and a password automatically.

You won't get that message, if you are off line.

 

If some d-bag (even if its a woman) kept the original keys and offered to sell them to me I'd tell them to shove them you know where.

 

Upon reading this thread, I guess I should be grateful that my dealer, without prompting, provided both original fobs with my Certified 3½-year-old Prius---although the (original?) battery was low in at least one of them.

 

indeed.

 

In the words of Teddy Roosevelt, "SPLENDID."