Getting a replacement for a vehicle key fob that has broken down can be expensive and time-consuming. If you drive a Lexus or another high-end car, the cost can be higher than you anticipate. Losing your key fob can also be an expensive mistake, but with enough preparation and information, none of these situations needs to be a major source of anxiety for you.
Start by examining the battery and button functionality of the key fob before considering replacement. If you’ve had your automobile for a while, a dead battery might only need to be replaced. Additionally, the buttons may become stuck or cease to operate due to normal wear and use. The simplest form of replacement is this one. The “guts” of your key fob can be swapped out for a newer model for less than $50 if you buy a replacement key fob shell from one of the many online retailers. Install a new battery at the same time; it will only cost you roughly $6. You can use your updated fob immediately.
If you believe the problem with your fob extends beyond normal wear and tear, you should contact your local Lexus dealer or a locksmith that is certified to provide replacement key and fob services. Both options need you to have your identification, vehicle registration, ownership documentation, and VIN on hand. Getting a full key fob replacement is just the start because luxury car brands are so technologically advanced. To program your fob and make sure it functions exactly as well as the original, you also need the correct help. The about $375 cost of each replacement key fob may be paid if you go via a dealership and your car is still covered by warranty. Consider hiring a locksmith if you’ve lost your key and are locked out. You can take advantage of their emergency service hours and the price may be slightly less than a dealership. Your insurer or a roadside assistance provider may be able to compensate you for their services.
In This Article...
Can you duplicate a Lexus key?
Replacement Lexus keys are available at the dealership or with the help of a competent locksmith in your region.
The primary distinction between the two is that a car locksmith will come to you, whereas you must tow your car to the dealer to get a key created there.
Program a Lexus Key
Lexus auto keys and fobs are available from local locksmiths, online, or in the parts department of a Lexus dealer near you.
You still need to cut the blade, program the transponder chip, and enable the remote/keyless functionality after purchasing a replacement key or Lexus fob.
A Lexus smart key must be programmed using diagnostic equipment. Customers who only had one key and decided to order a spare online might need to get in touch with a local automotive locksmith to have the key cut and programmed.
Lexus Key Replacement Cost
There are four different price ranges for a locksmith to replace a lost Lexus key.
- 19972003 (Early transponder, Requires a new ECU or Reflash of existing) $280$400
- 19901997 ($120150) (basic key, no chip
Does Home Depot make keys for Lexus?
Car keys without transponder chips are typically cut at Home Depot. Since the majority of modern automotive ignition keys require transponder chips, these keys merely open doors. There is a small selection of transponder chip keys available at some Home Depot locations that can be duplicated. Transponder chip automobile keys from Home Depot cost between $39 and $80. Remember that many modern car keys come with keyless entry buttons, which Home Depot does not sell. The following automobile keys are offered by Home Depot.
B111pt General Motors chip key (works for several different types of GM vehicles).
Ni104 Nissan Chip Key (operates on a few well-known Nissan vehicles, including the Altima and Maxima)
Is it possible to program a Lexus key?
The replacement unprogrammed key fob, in this example a Lexus car key, is what our locksmith needs in order to hunt up the precise programming instructions for your specific Lexus vehicle.
Car keys can be made by AutoZone.
We provide keys for a variety of vehicles, including Chrysler Ford GM Nissan Toyota, and more, without the need for appointments. Before you leave the store, the cuts are digitally checked and the keys are precisely replicated. So why worry about only having one car key when AutoZone is the solution?
Can Lowe’s cut a key for a car?
Lowe’s Companies Inc. of Mooresville, North Carolina, might have discovered the secret to consumer self-service. At a few locations, the DIY behemoth is introducing new retail kiosks from KeyMe.
The kiosks allow customers to quickly make a backup set of keys at their nearby Lowe’s and securely save a “digital copy of their keys in the cloud.” Both keys with transponder chips and keys without will be able to be duplicated by the new kiosks. It has never before been possible to copy car keys at a self-service kiosk.
KeyMe can support the majority of mailbox, house, and office keys in addition to car keys. Advanced digital imaging technology from KeyMe restores keys to their original factory settings, producing a new key that is just as precise as the one that came from the manufacturer.
Keys can be saved via the free KeyMe mobile app, then accessible and printed at a kiosk thanks to the integration of the two. Any digitally saved key can be printed in under 30 seconds after providing a fingerprint for identification verification in order to access the key at a kiosk. Both at the kiosk and through the mobile app, these saved keys can be distributed through email.
A totally updated user interface and more customizing possibilities, such as key skins with branded characters and logos and new custom designs, are additional kiosk features.
Can I program my own Lexus key fob?
The lock/unlock method cannot be used when a key is being replaced or when a new spare is being obtained. The new fob will need to be software-programmed instead. Before we begin, let’s take a moment to pause. A new key fob needs to be programmed using specialist tools. You require an OBD2-to-USB cable in particular, and it must support the VIM communication protocol. A functional key remote is also required. The method won’t function without each of these resources. The good thing is that you can always visit a licensed mechanic with the new key. Even if you’ll be compensated for a service, you can rely on it working because they’ll have the necessary tools.
The Toyota TIS Techstream program will first need to be installed on your computer. Technically, you can accomplish this with any Windows machine, but a laptop will make things lot simpler. In the end, a cable will connect the car and the computer directly.
You’re going to use your OBD2 cable to connect the car to the laptop since your software is already installed and operational. You need to push the Engine Start button twice without depressing the gas pedal in order to get the two talking to one another. Without actually starting the engine, this will activate the vehicle’s computer.
You ought to have the option to connect to your car in your TechSTream program. Your car will be automatically detected by the program, and you may use the information that is shown to verify that your connection is strong.
The main menu is now visible on the screen. You should utilize it to access Smart Access. You then choose Utility, followed by Smart Code Registration.
obey the directions displayed on the screen. They will guide you through the registration process for the new fob. Both keys will be required for a number of processes that must be completed before the new fob can be registered and used. You must register each key one at a time if you need to register more than one.
What is the turnaround time for a new Lexus key fob?
It might just take 15 minutes to replace the battery in your key fob, if that’s all it needs. Our parts department may need to order a replacement, necessitating a wait period of two to three days, depending on the make and model of the vehicle and the precise type of key. Please contact us to set up an appointment whenever is most convenient. Depending on the kind of key you have, the price will change.
The dealer will want access to your car, either at the dealership or at the site of the vehicle, in order to test the remote and mechanical key functions. The repair procedure will be detailed on a Repair Order; there can be an additional service fee associated with this procedure.
What is the price of a new key fob?
According to Mel Yu, automobile analyst for Consumer Reports, “the cost to replace the newest key fobs can range from $50 to as high as $400 depending on the brand. And that only applies to the fob. To have new mechanical backup keys created and replacement fobs configured to function with your automobile, add an additional $50 to $100.
What happens if your key fob malfunctions?
Where are the battery, circuit board, and buttons, again? Those things are unimportant to you; all that matters is the juicy keyring that has been shaped into the shell.
It is simple to take apart your present fob and transfer all of its functional parts into this new housing. like a hermit crab, roughly.
Fixing Surface Damage to a Key Fob
Surface flaws like scratches, scuffs, and broken pieces are unsightly but don’t cause mechanical or electrical harm. The procedure is exactly the same as the one described in the section on replacing a lost or broken keyring attachment:
Disassemble it, purchase a new fob casing, and move the electronics inside. You can get a set of interchangeable buttons for particular keys if you only need to replace the buttons.
Since the majority of replacement housings just include the shell, if you can’t find button replacements you’ll have to buy a brand-new fob.
Fixing a Mechanically or Electrically Broken Key Fob
The most time-consuming and expensive issue on our list is this one. Essentially, it tells you that there is a problem with your circuit board.
A damaged, broken, or shocked board is frequently beyond repair (just like that Beyonc song).
You’ll need to purchase a new key and have it reprogrammed at a dealership or locksmith. You might have to purchase the key from the dealership in some circumstances.
If utilizing an OEM key is not important to you, you can get a programmed fob from Amazon, such as this one designed for certain GM models:
How long does the battery on a Lexus key last?
A Lexus key battery replacement may be necessary if your key fob isn’t operating as it once did. When the engine is turned off, a low-battery alert will sound in the cabin. These batteries have a lifespan of one to two years.
How can I generate a key from a VIN?
If you misplace your car keys, a locksmith can still make you a new key using only the VIN number. It is not difficult to do because this is one of the first things that locksmiths must learn.
You must first give your locksmith the vehicle’s ownership documentation and, of course, the vehicle identification number (VIN). They will be able to make a key cut for you in that manner if the ownership has previously been proven.
Nevertheless, locksmiths are capable of much more than merely cutting keys. They can also program a new transponder using data supplied by the manufacturer if you have your car.
Modern autos frequently employ transponders. It might send a distinct signal to your car as an additional degree of security.
The automobile keys themselves contain a chip that can emit a signal exclusive to your vehicle. You won’t be allowed admission if the signal does not line up with the one that is designated for your automobile.
A locksmith can therefore program a new transponder for you as well. But you have to do this with the car there.