Smart Key Woes

If you are ever in Southern WV I'd give it a try for you.

 

Since the fob starts the car when inserted, it is being recognized by the car. This implies that the key was successfully registered. The SKS function works with an active radio as opposed to when the fob is inserted. That radio is the one with the wrong or non-fuctioning frequency. It's likely you bought a bad fob.

Tom

 

Have you tried switching the battery with the one in your working fob? From reading the manual, it looks like when the battery is dead, the proximity detection won't work, but inserting it into the key slot still will.

 

Well, here is the bad news. Smart keys are a one shot deal. Once the key has been programmed to a car, it bond for life! It can never be Smart bonded to another car. Now the Somewhat good news, save that key. It can still be programmed to run the car by being placed in the slot. The transponder portion of the programming can be reset. It will make a nice backup to hide somewhere.

BTW Camry Smart keys look NOTHING like Prius Smart keys. They are completely silver and more of an oblong shape. There is not even a slot on the dash for the Camry SKS system. Only the power button. Avalon and Highlander are the same design as Camry. Prius remains in a class by itself.

 

Hmmmm.... You can always ask the dealer who programs your new smart key to erase all the old codes and allow only the keys you bring them. With the TechStream it is a simple matter and they should have no reason to charge any more. At my dealership we charge 1 hour labor to program a new smart key since there are actully two parts to the procedure, 1: program the transponder portion 2: program the smart entry portion (which also covers the smart start portion)

Just be sure to bring ALL the keys you have for the car with you!

 

Errrr ~ Don't know where you heard that. I bought a PREVIOUSLY USED & PROGRAMMED SKS fob (now have a total of four) on Ebay. The Toyota dealer reprogrammed the SKS function to our '04 just fine. On the other hand, used fobs MAY have dead features, and thus, as you mentioned, only some functions will reprogram (ignition, remote lock/unlock).

 

Bought my extra Smart Key off Ebay, and had it programed ...for free, when mechanic did some other work on my 05 Prius.

But what I did was ask Parts Dept. what their part number was for an extra key for my car. And then searched Ebay for that part number. They said if the part numbers match, then it can be programed. Mine, off Ebay was sealed, new in package, with original Toyota part number on plastic bag, unopenned, never before programed, for something like $90.00's, total of less than $100.00 with shipping.

At time I did this, seller had several new, never programed, same part numbers. That was about 7-months ago. Do not know if still listing them? Let me know if you need part number, and I wil search my Ebay history, and hope it is still there. Good Luck.

BTW, I keep extra in car, but had to wrap it in aluminum foil in order to lock car with one I keep in pocket. Extra is for Wife's use when we travel together, like weekends only.

 

I had the same results as the first poster today, I bought a used fob off of Ebay, had it programmed by the dealer, who told me they couldn't get the smart key or the remote buttons to work. They seemed to know what they were doing, and basically blamed the problem on the used fob. I was in autozone later in the day, and surprised to see an rf tester for key remotes, basically a battery check. I checked it and pushing the buttons , the tester light lit for both remotes so....
I had read up on threads on reprogramming used remotes and was aware of the different opinions on the subject, it seems too variable, I'd blame my dealer, but they, (two different service advisers), told me they regularly do it. Cost was $37 after complaining, would have been $55 had it worked.
I did call back to check, and yes I do need a fully functioning fob for programming another on, or spend $200 plus wiping out the computer , and totally reprogramming that function for my car ( assuming I have my partial functioning fob in the ignition slot to get it there).
With one functioning smart fob I'm shopping again.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bear68
Well, here is the bad news. Smart keys are a one shot deal. Once the key has been programmed to a car, it bond for life! It can never be Smart bonded to another car. Now the Somewhat good news, save that key. It can still be programmed to run the car by being placed in the slot. The transponder portion of the programming can be reset. It will make a nice backup to hide somewhere.

Errrr ~ Don't know where you heard that. I bought a PREVIOUSLY USED & PROGRAMMED SKS fob (now have a total of four) on Ebay. The Toyota dealer reprogrammed the SKS function to our '04 just fine. On the other hand, used fobs MAY have dead features, and thus, as you mentioned, only some functions will reprogram (ignition, remote lock/unlock). __________________
I Heart My Prius Chat



Are you sure this is possible? You are the first and only person who has ever said this. If so please let me know which dealership you went to.

Thanks

 

I have a similar problem. I have a 2008 Prius. My smart key works fine. My husband's smart key physically broke; I ordered a new fob for him on Amazon, switched in the chip from the old key, and brought it to a dealership to have it programmed. They said they didn't do anything and it works. It doesn't work if you insert the fob into the dash but it did start the car as a smart key. I brought it to another dealership and they also said it was fine but you could only start the car without plugging in the fob. For a few weeks the new fob would start the car if and only if you didn't try to plug it in. Now, remember, it's my car and my own fob has always worked. At one time or another I pushed the key button under the steering column so you had to insert the key to start the car because that's how I prefer to drive. I've since pushed it again so you can start it without inserting the key and it works for my own key, but we can no longer start the car with my husband's fob. Any ideas?

 

welcome!

and if you push it again, does his work?

 

When you say:

do you mean the little black RFID chip, or the printed circuit board (PCB)? If you didn't move the RFID chip over as well, it will not start the car in the slot. Also, please note, when you transfer the contents of a key fob over from an old case to a new case (both parts), you do not need programming of any kind. It will just work if done correctly.


This is the RFID chip: