Lost key to 2001 Prius

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by Anna Payesko, Sep 1, 2024.

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  1. ammdb

    ammdb Active Member

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    That's good info, so even if down to only the valet key, it's possible to make a spare w/o the master to register a new key. Not having a key to the trunk is no problem, unless someone pulls the lever in the trunk which disables the trunk release cable going to the cab.
     
    #21 ammdb, Sep 15, 2024
  2. dabard051

    dabard051 Tinkerer-in-Charge

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    Original Poster Anna, try REAL HARD to find your key. The immobilizer reprogramming procedure is not 100% reliable, so as hard as your locksmith friend may try, it may not be a successful process (although I sincerely hope that it is). There is a thread at the very beginning of this Forum about making sure you have a spare ignition key that starts your Gen I Prius, for exactly this reason.

    Do you have any other key which ic cut to open the door and/or trunk? If not, the key code (which will allow Toyota to cut a new key for your vehicle) is inside either the driver or passenger door, so you will need to partially disassemble the door to get that key code. I believe Toyota can, with proper owner documentation, look up the key code for a mechanical key from your VIN number. That will solve half your problem- you will be able to get into your car.

    Please do keep us informed as to whether you succeed in the reprogramming, though. Best of luck going forward!!
     
    #22 dabard051, Sep 17, 2024
  3. Anna Payesko

    Anna Payesko New Member

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    Unfortunately the reprogramming wasn’t successful :( I looked into other options like purchasing an immobilzer kit myself and installing it but my mom really wanted me to take it to the dealer at this point because she thought buying and installing our own immobilizer was too sketch. She (very generously) said that she would pay for most of the ECU replacement if i covered the first $300 of it and took care of the tow. The total quote from the dealer came out to 1800 between parts shipping and labor. Its a good car that has no problems other then an exhaust leak and it had the hybrid battery replaced before i bought it so she felt like it was a good investment putting that money in to get it running again.

    Also, just to add a little context to this story, i bought the car about 6 months ago off marketplace. It was sold to me (via marketplace) with one black master key and a “spare” metal key that doesnt have a chip in it. The day i lost my key on the beach I searched as hard I could for it but it was after sunset and theres only so much you can search covering a huge beach with a flashlight. I had my parents search the area while I was at work the next morning, I even tried metal detecting at that beach but that key never turned up.

    I wish I had done my diligence and researched this issue before i lost the master key. one google search would’ve helped me avoid this $2000 mistake. On the bright side, this situation has made me realize that I know nothing about my car and I’ve been researching ways to take better care of it when I get it running again. I feel better reading these threads knowing the senior members of prius chat will be here to help me out. :)
     
    #23 Anna Payesko, Sep 22, 2024
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