What are my options moving forward?

If the non working fob used to work at some point in time, then you should just try to reprogram it with the chicken dance method. Make sure you have a good battery in there when you program it.

If the non working fob still does not work after the chicken dance, then you would have to reprogram the fob by doing a "reseed" of the fob. That will delete all the fobs stored in memory of your car, and you can add up to 5 new or used fobs to the car (5 is the limit)

 

See post #7 for some NEW (100% virgin) SKS fob prices; $130, $151. You can send me 1/2 the difference back.

Could the spare non-functioning SKS fob be a formerly used fob?

 

You have four choices:
1) Live with a non-functioning 2nd SKS fob. No additional money spent. High cost in terms of annoyance/loss of convenience.
2) Attempt that lock smiths "reprogramming" for $45.
3) Price shop Toyota dealers for reset (clear all fobs) and reseed (add fobs) fee.
4) Apply that $45 to a new (100% virgin) SKS fob, and program the fob yourself or pay the locksmith to program this new SKS fob.

($45/$130)*100%=35% or ($45/$151)*100%=30%; $45 ~ 1/3 the cost of a new SKS fob.​

If I was in your position, I would do #4 and relegate the non-functioning sks fob to the junk drawer. I strongly suspect this non-functioning SKS fob is a used SKS fob acquired from fleaBay (eBay) or CraigsList. A lot of people do this to "save" money, not realizing they aren't saving much money at all (used SKS fob price vs NEW SKS fob price), but giving up a lot of convenience.

 

You indicated the locksmith will charge you $250 for a New (assumed 100% virgin) SKS fob.
Depending on who you buy the New SKS fob from ($130 or $151) you can send me 1/2 the difference back.

$250 - $130 = $120/2 = $60
$250 - $151 = $99/2 = $49.50​

Joking of course. I don't anticipate you or anyone sending me money on part saving shopping suggestions I point out.

 

Looks like their price went up to $138.41
Genuine 8999447061 Remote Control Transmitter for Keyless Entry and Alarm System - Toyota

DO NOT BUY A USED SKS FOB!
You will have another non-functioning SKS Fob, and be worse off. A used SKS fob will become a dumb fob for an SKS car.

No SKS funcitonality.
NO wireless button presses on SKS fob will work (lock/unlock/alarm).
Must use physical key to lock/unlock car from outside.
Must insert fob into fob slot to make car work.​

To make a used SKS fob and your current non-functioning SKS fob fully functional requires dealer level reset & reseed; pricey cost.

 

A qualified locksmith with the right equipment or the dealer can do it

 

If this is true, this would be a new development. I am skeptical of this b/c of the way the car authorizes and programs sks fobs.

I would only entertain this person's sks fobs if:
1) guaranteed to work flawlessly am completely.
2) cost is no more than 1/3 to 40% cost of a new virgin sks fob from a online Toyota dealer.

 

Is he close enough that he can program it to the car for you? If not I would pass.

 

Try to do the chicken dance only with only the fob that has problem in the car, leave spare key in your house/office while you do that. I had to buy a new key from dealer (+$400) because I lost the spare years ago and the keyless key stopped working. When I got my programmed new key from dealer, my new key didn't work when I stared the car, technician came and I told me that maybe I have the old/bad key on me, and he was right. Without my old/bad key on me, my car started with zero issue with just my new key on me.

I can't guarantee it'll work for you; it is just an idea. do the chicken dance ONLY with te key non working key in the car.