Smart Key Programming for 2010

I bought a never paired, new key fob (make sure markings match you existing fob) for $80 and and knock off mongoose cable with software ($40) on eBay. Connected it all up, followed the on screen instructions and 10 seconds later I had an additional key fob paired to my Gen III Prius v (wagon). Still need to have the physical key cut at a locksmith sometime. No hurry there as I have never used the physical key in 3 years.

Ask locksmith how much $ if you buy your own key fob on EBay, and if it needs to be brand new never paired. I have heard of locksmiths that have paired used fobs and they cost less on eBay.

 

The dealer should have supplied two keys with the car purchase. I would press the dealer for the second key. It may be too late now that you have the car but I would still press the dealer for the second key.

 

I imagine that you bought a used 2010 and at resale, you are buying a " as is where it is " vehicle by law

 

By the time a used car gets to the used car dealer they often only have one fob.
Somewhere along the chain (dealer that bought the used car, lot-boy, auction, sales staff, transporter, etc) one of the fobs goes "missing". They are worth $50-$60, so low paid staff in the auto trade take them and sell them on Ebay to supplement their income. Why do you think there are so many used fobs for sale?

It's tricky to pair a used Fob (requires extra software or locksmith credentials), but the OP should be able to buy a new virgin fob (also on Ebay) and Mini-VCI software and program himself. Physical door key can be cut by OvniSF.com after getting the code of the door cylinder (2 minute procedure with Torx30 screwdriver). You'll need the physical door key to get into the car if the fob battery and/or 12V battery dies on the car so I do recommend getting a door key for each fob, or hiding one door key under the car with a HideAKey box.

If you have a Prius with only one working fob, please get a 2nd ASAP. If you lose all keys it will be very expensive to make the car drive again, especially if your only option is going to the dealer. Too many people have learned this lesson the hard way.

For anyone in Boulder/Denver area, I always have used FOBs in stock and can program them to your Prius for less than 1/2 the cost of what dealer charges for new ones.

 

Do what Chazz8 says. Two bits of advice:

(1) Purchase a new FOB. I've heard stories that people have been able to program a used FOB to another car, but I haven't had such luck. Lucky for me, the seller on ebay gave me my money back.

(2) For you, buy at least 2 FOBS. Leave one at home for your spouse, etc. Put it with the other spare keys everybody seems to have hanging someplace in their house (but I'd keep it a safe distance from where you park your Prius (the car might want to know where the key went and will keep searching for it, draining the battery in the meantime. Not sure if this actually occurs, but you don't want to find out.). With the other, hide the (physical door) key someplace under the car, wrap the FOB with aluminum foil (or take the battery out) and hide it inside the car (just remember where you put it). This is in case you lose your FOB while you are away from home. In my case, at my office I have to double park and leave my key with the attendant. If I do not get my keys back before 9PM, they lock them up and I have to wait until the next day. If I'm working late, I forget to pick up my keys, but can still get into my car and start it.

Mike

 

This is very smart advice, put the physical door key in a hide-a-key box under the car then hide the fob inside the car wrapped in aluminum foil or remove the fob battery so it becomes invisible to the car.

If you lose your fob away from home, you can get IN the car with hide-a-key, find your hidden fob then start the car and get home. For Gen2 put fob in slot, Gen3 hold fob close to power button it will work even without battery.

I've had to rescue hikers at trailhead who lost their fob on the hike, then they couldn't get into their car and/or drive home. Expensive hike for them.

Had another lady had her fob in jacket pocket, hung it up at restaurant, someone stole her jacket. It was a crappy jacket, but cost her hundreds because it was her only fob.

Sh** happens, so plan ahead to minimize problems.

 

Just yesterday morning I was able to register a used previously paired FOB that I purchased from ebay to my 2010 Prius.

I can provide links and details later but to summarize.

Installed Oracle VirtualBox and a 32bit Windows XP VM - free
Order Cable with techstream from ebay - $25.99
Order Used FOB from ebay - $80
Order Pass Code from Sigmabit.eu (not needed if FOB not previously registered) $22.86

My only mistake was not ordering another couple used FOB's from ebay and have 3 or 4 registered key.

 

How difficult was it to program the used fob and how long did it take?

 

If you are computer savvy the way 2DMxLST did it is very cheap and easy procedure once everything is installed, and you end up with Techstream which will pay for itself time and time again. If you are not good with computers you may find it frustrating because the documentation isn't very complete.

Sigmabit.eu is in Europe so you have to do it early in the day in the US.
(They provide passcode within minutes for seed codes so you can reset the smartkey system and use "used" fobs).

Sigmabit.eu has cracked the algorithm Toyota uses so you don't need to be locksmith or work at dealer to get passcodes, you just have to Paypal them 20 euros for each code.

Tips,
1) Make sure fob battery is good (small LED should light when you press buttons).
2) Make sure your laptop is plugged into the wall,
3) Make sure car has a 12v charger attached and/or a very healthy 12v battery. If 12V drops too low or laptop goes off during the 16 minute waiting period you have to start over and pay another 20 euros.
4) Drivers door must remain open, prop it open with a trashcan or something else. If it closes you have to start over.

 

Once you have those items in place and you retrieve your Seed Number and send it to Sigmabit.eu you are presented a dialog box that takes 16 minutes to finish, it has a count down. I am CST and Sigmabit is in the UK so I had to do it in the morning before work. From the time I ordered the Pass-Code to when I received it was ~15 minutes.

 

And you can also do this:

 

I just found 2 brand new fobs on eBay for a good price, so I won't need the Sigmabit code. Which mongoose knockoff cable works best? Also, will a knockoff and Techstream run on a windows Vista laptop?

 

Make sure eBay fobs are BRAND NEW / VIRGIN / NEVER USED fobs. If they have been paired to another car you'll need a passcode to use them. It doesn't matter if they "look" new. Its the electronic state that is important. Ideally they are still sealed in a Toyota baggie.

 

I can post a link to the software and cable I used in my next post.

It should work on 32bit Vista fine. You may be prompted to update java but that is only needed to render the seed code should you discover your new FOB's have been previously registered.

 

I need one more post to be able to post a link.

 

I used this cable and techstream. It did take a couple of weeks to ship but works great.

 

Ad said they are brand new in original packaging and business responded that they have never been programmed. So, I should be ok.