Replacement key

[Pecker]

Needless to say, the one and only key to the ISF I had has vanished. Besides recruiting a car thief, is paying a small fortune to Lexus my only option...?

Thanks.

[bobmc]

Oh that's bad news. I think Lexus may be your only option. I don't suppose you've got key cover on your insurance?

 

[Big Rat]

@Pecker Mark sorry to hear that matey, so to clarify you've not got either of the transponder keys but do you have the valet key?

Big Rat

[emjay82]

@Peckerdo you have Lexus warranty? If so, you I'll have the top aa cover which I believe will cover you for a lost key.... 

[Pecker]

Thanks guys.

No warranty, or key cover unfortunately. No valet key either....

[bobmc]

Might be worth asking the AA for a quote as well as the main dealer?

 

[mrfunex]

Ouch. Good luck, but I've a feeling this is about to get expensive... 

[Jgtcracer]

7 hours ago, Big Rat said:

@Pecker Mark sorry to hear that matey, so to clarify you've not got either of the transponder keys but do you have the valet key?

Big Rat

Valet key?? I've got 2 keys but that's it!

[Big Rat]

@Jgtcracer When new they would have had two transponder keys and a valet key, well at least mine has happy for others to chime in if I'm wrong 😊

Bug Rat

[Jgtcracer]

3 minutes ago, Big Rat said:

@Jgtcracer When new they would have had two transponder keys and a valet key, well at least mine has happy for others to chime in if I'm wrong 😊

Bug Rat

Suppose it makes sense.  Never had a valet key before, does this mean I drive a posh car and therefore I am posh??

[Big Rat]

@Jgtcracer Sorry Marcus I'm a builder so I guess that counts me out of the posh club 😂

Big Rat

[C Andrew Green]

@PeckerGulp, that is going to be an expensive loss of key!

When I got my IS250 it only came with one key, saw various reports about buying second hand keys on fleabay, saw a bargain one ~£40 asked if had been erased (apparently a neede operation) seller checked with his key programming mate who confirmed that it is required, paid him an extra £10 to get it erased. It took a month or so of fiddling to get a TechStream OBD reader/programmer dongle working (don't ask) and programmed the spare key perfectly.

There is however one fly in the ointment for your case, you MUST have a working key to identify you as the legitimate owner in order to add a new key!

Other than a new ECU and key pair I don'believe there's a way round it, unless there's some dodgy backstreet ECU hacker who can do it!

Andrew.

[Flytvr]

16 minutes ago, Big Rat said:

@Jgtcracer When new they would have had two transponder keys and a valet key, well at least mine has happy for others to chime in if I'm wrong 😊

Bug Rat

That's not a valet key Ratty! @Big Rat

 

[Jgtcracer]

1 hour ago, Big Rat said:

@Jgtcracer Sorry Marcus I'm a builder so I guess that counts me out of the posh club 😂

Big Rat

Me too, I'm an engineer so I can't be posh!

[Pecker]

Ok, so after much nail biting we've located the 1 and only key... phew! Now to research some of the above options to prevent anymore tears.

Thanks for all your input chaps.

[Malc]

errrrrr  .....  get a spare key or two maybe ?

Malc

[Pecker]

7 minutes ago, Malc said:

errrrrr  .....  get a spare key or two maybe ?

Malc

Correct! Just to find them at a half-sensible price

[Big Rat]

@Pecker Pleased for you matey, as others have said buy another quick!

🐀

[C Andrew Green]

@Pecker And either make sure the key you buy has been erased, or you can get it erased  Here (eBay). My replacement key programmed fine, my biggest hassle was getting TechStream to talk to my PC and OBD dongle and then my IS250.

Andrew

[Britprius]

Mark it's good you found a key.

It is expensive if you loose all the keys, but a new ECU is not required. Lexus or an approved locksmith have to get a new seed code from Lexus to get access to the ECU through the OBD port. This has to be done live over the internet supplying details such as the VIN number. Total cost can be around £850 with 2 new fobs.

If your brave you can strip the ECU and remove the existing code re-programming  yourself.

John.