Hi all, I had the most ridiculous/annoying thing happen to me yesterday. I was walking outside with my key chain in my backpack, in a pocket that is usually zipped but for some reason wasn't. Long story short, I hear my keys fall out and turn around just in time to hit the manhole cover I happened to be walking over. The keys proceeded to slip right through one of the openings in the cover, and went splashing into the sewer far below. F*#k!!!!!! I was stunned and super pissed. I have tried and tried to get them out, but they're simply not retrievable. So, now I need to replace my smartkey fob... and it's so expensive. I live around Chicago and called one of the big dealers here. Their prices were nuts! $120 just for the intensive labor of programming the fob! Crazy. I realize that if I didn't have another working fob, this process would even be much more expensive. Basically, I have two questions: 1) Does anyone know of a reasonably priced dealer around Chicago to go to to get this done. 2) I'm thinking about ordering a fob online and just taking it to a dealer to cut and program. I have heard a lot of mixed results with regards to people trying to program a smartkey themselves. Does anyone know of a cheap/reliable place to order a new fob online? Any and all help is much appreciated. I hope my tale of misery at least gave you a chuckle... Thanks!
I received two keys when I purchased the car and thankfully I still have both so I would have no clue where to guide you for an economical solution to your problem. Sorry.
Sorry, I went through something similar and bought extra keys. You can't program a SmartKey remote yourself, so it will have to be done at a dealer. But any dealer can do, regardless of where you buy your key. I have an extra key if you want to purchase. Would be $140 inc priority mail to you. It's brand new, unprogrammed and never used. Send me a private message or email carrollmoore (at) sbcglobal.net if you're interested.
wow, that sucks. call around and see what other dealers will charge for smartkey programming, and casually mention you're looking for a place to have your regular service done too... if they've got a chance of making a repeat customer they might cut ya a break. but maybe not. good luck!
Get one with a silver emblem on the back (eBay) and use this to program http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Prius_...f/message/18548
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ChiPri @ Oct 4 2006, 04:00 PM) [snapback]328086[/snapback]</div> have you tried a fishing line/pole/real and a strong magnet tied to the end. just a thought of something I would try.
Get one with a silver emblem on the back (eBay) and use this to program http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Prius_...f/message/18548
I have the SmartKey for my Prius, and I also just recently purchased a 2007 Mazda MX-5, which also has a SmartKey. My wife lost one of the fobs about 3 weeks after we got the car. Local dealer quoted me $232 for the key and $120 for the programming. Ouch!
