Lost my key transponder

By "Transponder" falling off do you mean you lost the entire SKS fob sans the mechanical key? Because if you lost the fob, you are indeed screwed.

 

That's too bad. Continue searching and hopefully you can find it, that would obviously be the best outcome. Otherwise, I don't think there are too many better options than what you have already discovered. Does that $150 dollar reprograming include programing the new fob and also reprograming your husbands old fob?

SKS is a nice little convenience, but when something goes wrong it also can certainly become an expensive to deal with proposition.

I'm just going to hope you find the your original one. When did you first notice it missing? It might be worth it to try to retrace your steps, even call places you visited and ask if anyone turned in a keyfob.

Good Luck.

 

Wow, that's amazing. The cost of the metal key replacement that is...

I'm surprised the dealership say's it would cost that much. The metal key part, is just a metal key. Hard to believe that the replacement part itself is very expensive, and harder to believe that cutting the blank to match the existing lock would be anything greater than having any key made anywhere.

You are kind of cornered when this happens. And it certainly must be a profit deal for Toyota and the dealerships. But at least with the fob, you are dealing with an electronic piece of equipment that must be programmed and synched to your vehicle.

LOL....The dealership just barely (admittedly not too hard) tried to sell me on an extended maintenance plan. I refused. I don't think it's worth it. But at upwards of $700 dollars to replace a lost Fob and Key? Toyota should offer a Key Fob Replacement Plan. That type of cost is Hybrid Highway Robbery.

 

Cost probably involved changing out the lock cylinders on both doors, not just replacing the "blank". Otherwise someone wopuld be able to use the found key on the door locks.

 

Yeah I suppose so. If you wanted to be 100% sure nobody could possibly gain access to your Prius.

Almost makes me think it might be wiser to remove the actual metal key from the fob and keep it stored securely inside your house or residence. That way if you lose a fob....out in the world, you at least don't have to worry about a "lost" metal key also existing lost out in the world.

 

But then again if someone does find it "out in the world" provided it isn't in your front yard, they would have to use it randomly in/on every Prius they see to check if it works. Probably more of a fear then actually having someone steal your vehicle. But it would suck if they actually did match it up.

 

I think the "feared" assumption is that the entire fob, including the metal key, is lost somewhere near your residence. Which since it is labeled Toyota...would make the potential of a problem...much more possible.

As in this particular case where the OP believes one of the last things she did before losing the Fob was go to the mailbox and take the dogs for a quick walk.

Yeah, if you lose your FOB randomly at a distant Mall, or at the coast or 100 miles away? I don't think you have much to worry about. You would be sheltered by the reality that the world is a big place and there are a lot of Prius out in it.

Basically the whole situation just kinda sucks.

 

Hurry and buy yourself a replacement fob on eBay and have the original and replacement fobs reprogrammed. I think this might deactivate your old lost one. Someone chime in if im incorrect.

 

BTW I bought a replacement for $52 shipped on eBay and had it programmed by Pop-a-Lock, Los Angeles for $50! Total for replacement was $102!

 

I'm sure you got the right fob but just in case:

FCC ID: HYQ14ACX
IC:1551A-14ACX
COFETEL RLVDE1408-0265
DENSO 14ACX

 

Did you buy a new or used fob on eBay? I bought a used one on eBay and Pop-a-Lock couldn't program it. But that was 2 years ago and maybe they know a lot more now.

Mike

 

Yes, please let us all know how this works out.Very nice to know there are other options out there other than the dealership if a similar happening should occur.

 

I purchased a used one. There is always a chance that it may not work but the Pop-a-Lock that I used actually works with a local Toyota dealership in Los Angeles. It's all about finding a locksmith who has the experience with programming Toyota SKS'. I called around and asked several locksmiths if they knew what they were doing and West LA Pop-a-Lock was the only company who could give me a confident "yes".

 

Just have to say, the prices Toyota's charging for replacement fobs are onerous, they really have a captive market, taking advantage.

Just like their Tire Pressure Monitor System: replacement sensors are way to expensive/complicated.