Lost my master key, have spare but won't open doors.

When I purchased my truck I was given two keys. I bought my Taco used. My master key is nowhere to be found, but i do have a spare remote and key. My spare does not open my doors it will start the car though. The key is black and has a dimple at the base of the metal. I'm not sure if this key is a valet key, a choppy replacement, or even if it is able to make duplicates.

I want to make another master key that can open the doors as well as program to turn on the ignition. Aside from the stealership is this possible if I bought my own uncut key, or if i could track down a locksmith. I'm afraid if I make another duplicate I wont be able to open my doors with the key anyway.

TIA

 

You have the "valet" key that won't open your doors.

The key has an electronic chip in it to enable engine start.

Call a locksmith, but I'm guessing you go to the dealer.

 

yep..gonna be at least $150

 

I don't know about where you live but up by me some Home Depots are doing chipped keys, they cost like half of what the dealer is charging. GL

 

I went to the owner's manual (2010) ... I know, I know .... but I had to.

"If you lose your keys

New genuine Toyota keys can be made by your Toyota dealer using the key number stamped on your key number plate. Vehicles with the engine immobilizer system, the dealer will also need the master key.

If you lose all your master keys. (Vehicles with engine immobilizer system) You cannot make news keys; the whole engine immobilizer system must be replaced."

Now, having said that. Does your Tacoma have the engine immobilizer system? Does the indicator light flash on your dash after the key has been removed?

Don't take for granted that you have it. I was a bit surprised that my SR5 did not but am not disappointed.

Now, this is experience talking ... I am not being a dick ..... it is too late for you but may help others. Get copies made right away. Don't wait until you begin to lose them.

Sorry I can't be of any more help.

 

i just bought a 2008... guy only had 1 key and 1 keyfob. a friend game me another keyfob and i programmed it. but i only have 1 key. Lowes wouldn't/couldn't make another due to the chip and i know the stealership will charge out the but. i saw someone say Home Depot will copy a chipped key. i'll check that out.

 

z

yea, Depot is doing it but not all locations, I would call ahead.

 

When I bought my truck they gave me the exact same set-up plus an extra chip if I wanted to get another key made. They told me the gray key wasn't chipped and would unlock the doors but wouldn't start the truck but all of my keys work for the door and to start the truck. No idea what this valet key is people speak of or how it's different than the others.

 

Since you said your key has a dot at the base of the blade, its a transponder key (immobilizer). Since you have an immobilizer, you will need a new master key, and you will need your immobilizer ECU reprogrammed to accept the new master key (and any other spares you get with the new transponder code). Your door locks shouldnt be affected by new keys.

Im not sure if you can get this done by a locksmith.

 

Grey key is to unlock the doors. It's not supposed to start the ignition. You'd need to remove all black keys from the close vacinity to test this though...

 

Black key is supposed to be a master, grey is valet. Both are supposed to open the doors. The diff is the valet can't be used to program new keys. Sounds to me like someone rekeyed the doors on your truck. Best thing to do would be to pull the door locks and have them rekeyed to the igntion key that you have. What year is your truck? Mine is a 2006, I asked what happens when you lose all the keys and was told that you can still program the computer once you have the new keys cut. Just takes longer and costs more. The earlier trucks you had to replace the computer.

 

Sorry I left this thread neglected for so long. I forgot to subscribe. Funny thing happened last week which reminded me about this thread. I had jury duty last week and went home to catch lunch, I took a short nap and when I awoke I realized my keys were missing. My dad ended up tossing my keys in his gym bag. I found a ride a half hour later, returning late for JDuty. I really need to make spares.

My original Master set of keys unlocked all doors and started the car. I still don't understand why my current set of keys only starts the car but does not open driver or passenger doors. Would I need a seperate program to unlock the doors? My car is a 2005 Tacoma V6 Prerunner. There is no key indicator on my instrument cluster, but there is an car and key indicator light right by my passenger airbag safety on/off by my radio.

 

Wow, lotsa misinformation in this thread.

As others have stated, the gray key is the valet key. It will open the doors and start the truck. The only difference from a black key is that it cannot be used to make another key. The reason should be obvious.

Again, as others have stated, the fact that your key will not open the doors but will start the truck likely means that someone re-keyed your doors. It's a used truck right? So you don't really know what the previous owner has done. Pay a locksmith to set it up properly. And do it before you lose that master. A locksmith will explain the details of the Tacoma to you.

The blinking red light (car with a key in it) is your indicator for the engine immobilzer. It goes off to let you know the key is programmed and will start the truck.

There is no 'program' to unlock the doors. A chipped key is not needed to open the doors, or to engage the starter motor.

 

Thank you Ray Charles for clarifying that....so easy even a blind man can do it.

 

some aftermarket alarms need a valet key in order to use all the functions. I've got one hidden that tells my truck to turn on with the remote start.

 

Yes haha thanks ray charles.

I had my friend who works at Toyota look at my keys yesterday. He said it looks like the key is pretty worn, alot of people use the remote to unlock the doors. This might cause uneven wear and recognition between the key, ignition, and doors.

I will be taking my truck in on monday and he is going to make a duplicate using my VIN.

 

??? Am I missing something here???

The way I am reading this is by using the remote, it causes uneven wear. Is that what you meant or are the sentences mixed up?

Thanks

 

I never use my keys to unlock my car door. I use my remote to unlock the doors(keyless entry) so the lock on the doors never see any use.

But because I, as well as the previous owner before me, never use the keys to open the door and only on the ignition. There is no wear on the lock on the doors but you will see wear on the key and the ignition.

I probably chose some bad wording, just trying to explain how this might be the reason why the keys do not work on the doors.

 

I just had my master key copied at ACE hardware, had to check the website for locations with "Key Service" listed though. Works great and was 1/2 the cost the dealer quoted. The only diff is the key doesn't have the Toyota logo on it.

 

Did they program the key too?