Lesson Learned

Long story short.....
Lost both black master keys & 1 Fob. Had only one working fob & gray valet key. Called dealership to have 2 new black "master keys" made. Truck's computer system had to be re-set from factory (2hrs labor) along with master techs skills.
So in the end: 2 new black master keys & 2 hrs labor & programming 2 new fobs (1 original & 1 spare that I kept from prev truck I just traded in) was $210.
Moral of the story....don't lose your keys

 

Would it have been less expensive if you had still had one key and just wanted to get a 2nd key?

 

Damn! Were those chipped keys? If not, you were screwed.

I do not have chipped keys for my 12.

 

How do you not have a chipped key?? I thought all keys needed to have a chip to start truck.

My truck only came with 1 key, 1 remote fob. Called stealership, they wanted $300 for 1 more set of key/remote. I told them to keep the damn key.

 

My California built '10 SR5 is not chipped/immobilized either.

The moral of this story: All trucks are not created equal it seems ...

 

Nope no chip or immobilizer. I can get a key made anywhere for a couple of dollars. As a matter of fact I always get a spare made of each and store them at home just because it is cheap insurance. I also keep the little tag that comes on the original keys so I could ( if need be ) get keys made from that code.

Fuck a chip!

 

Yep...my '11 has chip keys. Not sure if that is because I have the engine
immobilizer or ??. But the computer had to be reset as well. But get this...after all of this, my original valet key still works. Just assumed that it wouldn't since all of this other stuff had to be done

 

The valet key doesn't communicate with the ECU in any way. It just mechanically actuates the lock.

The engine immobilizer Must communicate with a properly coded chip in order for it to allow the engine to start. You could tape the chipped key near the sensor inside the dash and then use a key made from Lowes etc without a chip. Of course that would defeat the purpose of the engine immobilizer system.

 

Great point....but of course that would defeat the purpose. Didn't think about that though

 

I believe all the TRD models do have immobilizer, but my 2005 SR5 did as well. I do know that not all Tacomas have it...which I was a bit surprised to learn.

I guess this is a lesson learned to thieves as well: only attempt to steal base model Tacos!

 

My base model 2011 has the chipped keys. I was 100% confident it was a standard feature until reading this thread....live and learn.

 

A case of the haves and have nots ... my base '06 did ... my '10 SR5 does not ... drat!

I can't figure out why ...

 

Weird. My '11 SR5 has the chippies. Nice of Toyota to come up with some standardization on this.

 

My valet key starts the truck just fine. In fact, since there is no glove box lock, I'm not even sure what it's purpose is.

Does that mean my ignition system doesn't use the chip technology? And if so, can I make a copy of the valet key or even the real key to have a spare?

I'm a little confused by this.

 

I know locally of a place that installs auto-start systems in vehicles that uses a device to defeat the transponder in the truck. Several guys I work with use them to buy simple, $5, double-cut keys at the hardware store.

 

You should have got 3 keys
2 keys with one fobs each and 1 valet key

My SR5 has chipped keys.

 

I believe with the base model or SR5 package it is available as an "option", but I'm pretty sure it's standard on all TRD models.

It has a chip, just doesn't have the keyless entry remote...

*If* you had a truck/glove box/etc with a keyed lock, the valet key wouldn't open it, but does seem useless on a Taco...maybe some factories just cut em anyway?

My 2012 came only with 2 sets of keys, no valet. I didn't even realize they existed, since as was mentioned above, we don't have locking trunks/glove box/etc...

 

6 lug vs 5 lug?

 

my understanding is the valet key cannot be copied (in the sense of the transponder) but i'm pretty sure if you put a valet in the key cutter at home depot, it will still copy you a key to open your door (I have not tried it yet, but I think that is what happens)

 

in case anybody cares

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/220180-spare-key-surfing-purposes.html

pretty interesting stuff