IMPORTANT EXPERIENCE: KEY/FOB Programming Issues

I don't have a fob with me right now but, you will just have to look at it. Since you have two, you can compare the new one with the old one and see where the problem lies. Presumably, the new one lites up when you press the buttons right? If so, take them both apart and look at the contacts on the new one and compare the old one to it. That should help.

 

If your fob worked before and there are no stuck buttons on the remote, it's most likely your battery. You have to verify the "new" batteries are good in order to test your fob properly. I've heard of several people who bought new batteries for their fobs that ended up being dead. They purchased another battery and it worked.

 

I had picked up a used fob as an emergency starter. It programed in fine. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it would work in the slot without the battery installed.

 

One more data point! I suspected this would be the case, but it's good to know for sure.

Nexus 4 ?

 

Just to summarize. I just successfully programmed a NEW fob today with full SKS functionality. No dealer required (well, except to sell me the fob, I guess). This information is all here on the site, but spread across several threads.

To easily program a NEW, silver logo (SKS) key to fully work with a Gen II (mine is a 2007), buy the following:
1. Mini VCI cable with Techstream software (~$30 from several online retailers).
2. NEW key fob (got mine for ~$110 from MidAtlantic Toyota, shipped).

Now, you are programming two codes into your vehicle. (Maybe one code in two ECUs--I'm sure somebody here knows which is technically correct, but for my purposes it doesn't matter.) The first is the immobiliser code. This allows you to start/run the car with the key in the slot. This code must be set prior to setting up the SKS functionality. The Techstream software is supposed to be able to help get you through this process, but I couldn't figure it out after a couple of tries, so I resorted to the "chicken dance" method for that part. It's the simplest part of the dance, like a basic step, so it wasn't too bad. For completeness, I copied from earlier in this thread (these worked for me):

Start/stop engine (NO CHANGES over previous posts)
-------------------
1. Insert old fob into slot and remove it 4 times in a row, and insert it a fifth time but leave it in there!
2. Open and close driver door 6 times.
3. Remove old fob from slot. Car is in fob programming mode at this point. Red anti-theft light remains on.
4. Insert new fob and leave in the slot for a full minute. Watch the blinking red anti-theft light on the dashboard. When it stops flashing and goes dark, your new fob is all set.
5. Remove the new fob and you're done.

I checked that I could get into READY with the new fob in the slot and my original fob more than 20 feet away. It did. So the immobiliser function is working. On to the Smart functions (all door lock/unlock functions and the remote immobilise--without the key in the slot). Here's where your $30 Mini VCI investment pays for itself. Connect the cable, go to READY, start the software, and connect to the ECUs. Run a health check and go to the Smart Key System menu. Run the utility for registering a new smart key. Follow the onscreen instructions (takes about 2 minutes). Test everything out, disconnect your computer and you're done.

So yes, I had to do a basic chicken dance, but my timing is horrible at those things, so I knew I was never going to get through an eleven-step process successfully. The Mini VCI saved me a lot of time, and it's certainly not the last time I will use it.

 

Success with new fob on 2008 Prius. I ordered a new fob from Amazon for $117.57 (product listed as "PRIUS '04-'09 Toyota Prox Remote With Smart Entry System (Factory Original - NEW)" ). Mine shipped from Daytona Toyota (note: the same item also ships from other vendors on Amazon, so all I can vouch for is Daytona). I was NOT successful with the Step 9 process in post #88 though. After multiple attempts I went through this forum and researched all the minor variations to step 9 that people have reported.

The one that worked for me is this:

Steps 1-8: As described in Post #88, then...

9a. Press [only] the lock button on the OLD fob. Release quickly (1/2 sec). Locks should cycle once.
9b. Press both lock & unlock buttons on NEW fob at the 'same' time. As per other posts, I actually pressed them so that the unlock button depressed a fraction of a second before the lock button. Release after 1/2 - 1 second. [No feedback happens.]
9c. Immediately press the lock button on the NEW fob (did not wait the 3+ seconds as described in the forum). Locks cycles once after a few seconds and all was done.​

The entire step-9 process was done quickly - maybe 3-5 seconds for the whole thing. There were NO long button hold-down periods, and NO waiting between steps 9b and 9c. As mentioned elsewhere, the actual process seems to differ slightly from year to year, so this may be useful to someone else with a 2008 model.

Results: The new fob works identically to the original. In-slot start/stop; remote lock/unlock; proximity unlock; proximity start. I'm a happy camper. Thanks to all who contributed their various experiences!

 

Tried it today, Dec. 5, 2014, using the steps below for part 9. Worked the first time! It did, however, take more than a couple of seconds before the locks cycled as described in step 9C. Once they cycled, all was good!

My Prius is a 2005, and I had the SKS (Silver) keyfob. Thanks to all!

 

I only had one problem with this process. I bought a new remote from the dealer after talking him into price matching what I found on Amazon. Went home and used the process on page 1 that included the change of holding the buttons on both remotes for 4 flashes. Everything went as advertised. After completing the process, I tried the remote buttons. They didn't work. I thought I'd done my homework. I thought I was ready. I had believed in the Chicken Dance and had been left without a Dance partner.

I came into the house downcast and extremely frustrated. My wife, the least-technical person I know, was wondering what she could do to help. She listened as I explained how I'd failed her and that I was at a dead end. I went to the car to explain everything that I'd done and show her how the remote simply wasn't working. I pressed the unlock button and heard the sweet sound of "clunk, clunk". I had no idea what had happened. I explained to her that I had done everything and that the buttons hadn't worked when I was sitting there in the car after the entire process. She smiled and explained that the buttons didn't work sitting in the car.

The problem was that I was still sitting in the car and the remote buttons won't lock or unlock the car while you're sitting inside. Perhaps this is common knowledge on Priuschat, but it wasn't to me. I never thought I'd admit it, but my wife saved me from technical failure.

My shame is now complete.

 

Hello,
Just got a Prius 2004, and got a new fob skf. Programmed the "starting the Prius" and it worked, but I just cannot program the doors to look and unlock. I been trying 10 times and the " add mode" = the automatic lock and unlock does not activate. Can someone help? Thank you Trish

 

are you programming a brand new fob or a used fob?

 

Thanks kpsounis for the posting.

My key is out of order. It couldn't start the engine even a new battery was installed. After a bunch of Google searches, I found this post.
I used the described method to re-program the problematic key. After doing the 5 steps in the "Start/stop engine" session, my key can start the engine again. (2007 Prius)
Btw, I tried several times before the key was successfully programmed. Because I insert/pull out the key too slow at the beginning, the car could not enter the programming mode. After speeding up my actions, it works.

 

Will the 'chicken dance' procedure work on a 2009 Prius?
I've read all the posts, but none mention 2009.
Thanks,
Marty.steiger@gmailcom

 

Yes it will Marty. See this post for more detailed info.

How to Program a New Key Fob for Full SKS Functionality | PriusChat

 

I did the chicken dance program on my 2005 Prius on October 23rd and it all worked fine except the alarm key. I am not sure why but it maybe something else. After ~200K miles I am just happy I haven't changed the battery.

 

I bought a new silver key on amazon from a dealer, I was successful w/ the "chicken dance" to get the key working when inserted in the igntion by using the old key to program. My issue is my old and only original key was water damaged and no longer powers up (no red light on button press) so am unable to do Part 2 of the Chicken Dance.

What are my options w/out a working original key to get SKS/keyless working?

I'm thinking I'll have to program via software, correct? I'll probably buy the techstream usb adapters and try to get the SKS/key less entry working again that way. Only a ~$20 investment. Local locksmiths/ dealers in Los Angeles seem to want from 75-120 to attempt to program, one dealer wanted > 300!

Any thoughts? Or if anybody knows where I can get this done in L.A. for less

Thanks

 

I lost my key fob for my 2011 Prius (no spare), bought new ones off of the website replacemyremote. I called a few locksmiths and no luck. Towed the car into the dealership (waited 5hrs) they told me I needed a new ECU and my car was not responding to their programs. They said my car has gone into safety mode where no one can get through to the system, not even them being "Toyota". "This happens to prevent people from stealing the car." I said, "But I am at a Toyota Dealer, doesn't Toyota have a special code to by pass this safety feature?" They said, "NO, not even Toyota can help." So they want to charge me around $1800 for a new ECU, to be able to program the key fob. Is this ridiculous way of trying to get money from me or a real thing that happens to Prius owners? HELP!!!

I lost my key fob for my 2011 Prius (no spare), bought new ones off of the website replacemyremote. I called a few locksmiths and no luck. Towed the car into the dealership (waited 5hrs) they told me I needed a new ECU and my car was not responding to their programs. They said my car has gone into safety mode where no one can get through to the system, not even them being "Toyota". "This happens to prevent people from stealing the car." I said, "But I am at a Toyota Dealer, doesn't Toyota have a special code to by pass this safety feature?" They said, "NO, not even Toyota can help." So they want to charge me around $1800 for a new ECU, to be able to program the key fob. Is this ridiculous way of trying to get money from me or a real thing that happens to Prius owners? HELP!!!

 

You might try calling Steve at Autobeyours.com to see if he knows of a source for a used ECU with a working remote.

 

hello i washed my prius 2005 year's smart key with black logo and did not work.then i bought new one with chrome logo.and i setup it to start my car but i can not lock my car with my new smart key.please help me...the different thing is only in key logo.

 

The chrome logo smart key has a different circuit board inside it than the black logo key. You'll have to get a black logo key to work with the computer in your car.

Both the black and chrome keys use the same type of transponder, which is why you could set up the "plug in the dash" function to start the car. The transponder is a separate chip from the circuit board.

 

I know this is an old post but.... Getting a new key from the dealer tmrw. SKS, silver logo key. Going to try this out. With the key cut I got it for $150 through a friend. (2005 Prius)

Gus//