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Help with Prius C blade key conversion

Discussion in 'Prius c Accessories and Modifications' started by ed4ever, Dec 8, 2015.

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  1. ed4ever

    ed4ever Junior Member

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    Can anyone direct me to a guide to transform the regular PC2 remote key into a blade key? I already bought the blank blade key but I don't know how to get out the chip that allows car start?
     
    #1 ed4ever, Dec 8, 2015
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    has this ever been done?
     
    #2 bisco, Dec 8, 2015
  3. Sean Nelson

    Sean Nelson Active Member

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    The "official" way to do this is to go to the dealer, buy a "valet" key (conventional key that contains the necessary transponder chip but no battery or remote door lock/unlock/etc buttons), and have them cut the key and program the car to recognize the transponder chip. It cost me about $120 dollars to have that done up here in Canada.

    Note that the car requires a "master" key (one of the original keys with the remote buttons) in order to program in the new key. The "valet" key is not a "master", therefore you need to hold on to the original keys so that you retain the ability to program new keys should you need one.
     
    #3 Sean Nelson, Dec 8, 2015
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  4. ed4ever

    ed4ever Junior Member

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    Bisco: As of today it has been!

    Sean: I took my own valet key, cut out the transponder chip, and added it to the new Key blade remote. It works!

    Everyone else: I have successfully built a switchblade key using the remote control chip (to unlock/lock doors) from one of my master keys and the transponder chip from the valet key. The reason for this is that the master keys have the transponder chip stuck inside the plastic frame and it is impossible to remove it without breaking the frame. Instead i chose to sacrifice the valet key by using a blade to cut away the rubber to reveal the transponder chip. It took some work to break away the plastic but I got the chip.

    I had purchased a flip key key fob on ebay (get link later) for like 8$. I disassembled it and took the blank key with my key to local locksmith, he charged 15$ to cut it (kinda high price :/ ). I then assembled the cut key with the transponder chip and remote control module inside the new key fob. I tested it, all buttons work and car starts!

    Guide i found online:


    As far as I know there is no difference in transponder chip from the valet key and regular key, so there should be no issue! I will keep you updated after I spend a day or two driving around.

    Ed

    This video shows him cutting the valet key to get a transponder chip.

    The one difference i noticed is that in my valet key (2015 prius c), the transponder chip was encased in the hard white plastic holding the key. I had to cut away the plastic to get the transponder chip.

     
    #4 ed4ever, Dec 8, 2015
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  5. Sean Nelson

    Sean Nelson Active Member

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    As I mentioned in my post the valet key is not considered by the car to be a "master" key, so I would expect that you couldn't use your new key with the valet transponder chip to program the car to accept any new keys you may buy in the future. So don't throw out your original keys.
     
    #5 Sean Nelson, Dec 8, 2015
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    that's really cool ed, great job!(y)
     
    #6 bisco, Dec 8, 2015
  7. SwhitePC

    SwhitePC Active Member

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    someone on here has converted their non sks keys to flip keys ($11 or so from some hk/chinese ebay sellers); I thought about converting mine, but after looking at the dimensions of the flip key fob, decided against it, b/c the fob is pretty big, and once the key flips out...it's even sticking out even further...so not my cup of tea
     
    #7 SwhitePC, Dec 9, 2015
  8. djdawn

    djdawn Active Member

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    I was able to cut a flip key, transplant the door unlock circuitry inside then ran into the transponder issue mentioned above. It was nifty, but after staring at the size of the new flip key and trying it out in my pocket, I felt it was too bulky and decided against pursuing it further. If I could get a final product that was smaller than the original key fob, I'd probably revisit the idea.
     
    #8 djdawn, Dec 9, 2015
  9. ed4ever

    ed4ever Junior Member

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    ^Fair points

    My opinion:
    The flip key for is only slightly thicker that the regular key fob, but it's a shorter length when the key is not sticking out. I actually preffered this because i have big hands and the regular key fob feels to small. In my pocket the flip key feels much more comfortable that the regular key. The only time the key should be flipped out is when going into ignition, and when the key is in the ignition my knees were never able to reach/bump the key fob, and i'm a tall guy (6'1"), so there wasn't any issue. If anything, it's easier to grab hold of when starting/stopping car.

    Would I do it again? Yes, with the style and comfort added, the minimal increase of fob thickness is well worth it!
     
    #9 ed4ever, Dec 9, 2015
  10. djdawn

    djdawn Active Member

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    Which one did you get? You may have gotten one with more desirable dimensions than I did. Mine was likely the same one SwhitePC got, as it was on eBay and about $11.
     
    #10 djdawn, Dec 9, 2015
  11. ed4ever

    ed4ever Junior Member

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    Djdawn: haha actually I think it was the same one! I guess it just comes down to preference!
     
    #11 ed4ever, Dec 9, 2015
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  12. abnamr

    abnamr New Member

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    Hello, and sorry for resuming an old thread: I'm thinking of doing the same for a Prius C from 2012, and have a question for you guys.

    I plan to buy a flip key and have it cut by a locksmith, and also buy a replacement key, from which I extract the transponder to put in the new flip key, because for some reason I don't want to compromise existing master and secondary keys.

    Will I be able, using the master key in my possession, to program the new transponder? if so, could you please tell me the exact procedure? (I remember it involves inserting master, pressing the brake, etc, but cannot recall the exact sequence.) Also, by looking at Ebay, it seems that 4D72 G CHIP is appropriate for my car: can you confirm that, as it determines the spare key I'm going to buy?

    Thank you
     
    #12 abnamr, May 9, 2017
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  13. abnamr

    abnamr New Member

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    Let me add that by 'transponder' I mean the small device that allows the physical key to start the engine once it is inside and rotated, and my question regards precisely whether one can program (without any other tools) a used (compatible) transponder, just by using the car and master key.
     
    #13 abnamr, May 9, 2017
  14. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

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    Why ????
    Can't you think of some other way to torture yourself and waste time and money ??

    But yes, a locksmith has access to the materials and information to make extra spare keys.

    Trying to do it yourself may not work out good.
     
    #14 Sam Spade, May 9, 2017
  15. djdawn

    djdawn Active Member

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    This thread indicates that you can do it with the Toyota Techstream software and a MVCI cable. I never got around to doing it myself due to low priority, and the flip key I bought at the time was bulkier than my regular key.
    Prius c key programming | PriusChat
     
    #15 djdawn, May 9, 2017
  16. ed4ever

    ed4ever Junior Member

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    First, Apologies for such a late reply. Hopefully this is of some use to you or anyone else down the road.

    Secondly, to everyone out there: it has been almost 2 years now and I still continue with the same key fob I bought from ebay. A brief review: the symbols have faded on the fob, the fob isn't as sturdy as the original key, but I am still happy with the switch and the fob works well. My only wish is that someone would create a sturdier high quality fob. I wouldn't mind paying a few extra bucks.

    To answer your question: Since I didn't buy a new key for this and have to have it "programmed", I dont have a good answer to that. Maybe the dealer who sells you the key can help you program it to the car? What you will want to watch out for (As i mentioned in my main post near the top of this thread), is that the new key will still easily allow you to remove the transponder chip. My main keys from my car had the chip glued in, thus I took the chip from my valet key instead. I'd hate for you to buy a whole key and face the same challenge.

    As i mentioned: Im going on 2 years with 0 problems with the key. the symbols on the fob have faded away, but the key still flips and closes just fine and the fob hasnt broken in any way. It does have a very small wobble as it is not a high quality replica. If anyone else knows of a good strong flip key fob please post a link.

    Thanks all and good luck!
     
    #16 ed4ever, Dec 5, 2017
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