Toyota "OEM" Keyless Entry for 2016-2017 SR

As with most, I was pretty surprised that the 2017 Tacoma SR didn't come with keyless entry, which as menial as it sounds, was a sticking point for me. The salesman removed that hurdle by offering to have the "factory" keyless entry installed at no extra charge. I asked explicitly if it was OEM, and was told yes. He said it was a simple matter of pulling a lower panel, and plugging in a module.

So, talking with the service department, I asked the question again point-blank, and got a slightly different answer preceded by some hesitation. Essentially, it's really not an "official" Toyota part. Evidently the SE Toyota region has contracted with a manufacturer to make this due to the number of complaints about the lack of keyless entry. I guess there are very few SR's made with the "convenience package" that includes cruise and keyless entry. Surprisingly, it's made in the US. The dealer actually considers it an "official" Toyota part, though it's not made by Toyota (and likely not one of Toyota's official suppliers).

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0176/5842/files/00016-32901_16ta_TOYOTA_MCDONOUGH.pdf

I looked it up online (link above), and noticed that the installation instructions require cutting into the factory harness along with crimping T-Taps into it, something I'm not thrilled about. I'm concerned about electrical gremlins surfacing down the road, and the thought of having the wiring harness tampered with on a brand new, 2 day old truck just didn't set well with me.

The other thing that bugs me about the install is there's a toggle switch that's part of the installation. I could see if it was a factory looking rocker switch, but it's a plain silver toggle. I hope they don't plan on installing that into one of the blank switch plates in the dash.

Anyway, I'd like to know if anyone has had this purported "OEM" kit installed in their 2016 or 2017 Tacoma, and what your thoughts are. Any reason to be concerned with the way it's installed? I just find it strange that they couldn't make a plug-and-play wiring harness like they do with car audio these days.

Thanks!

 

That is one of the drawbacks of the utility package, bare bones. I suppose the v6 and 4x2 DCSB 2.7 without convenience package may be similarly lacking.

As we figured out with the fog light mod that a few have done on their Utility Taco, there is very little pre-wiring to plug anything into. No speaker wires in the suicide doors either. One really has to know what they are doing to mod the truck, even with factory stuff.

Search @Nitori and @moe2o4's threads, those guys are really great with the utility package mods. I would fear nothing, just be careful and add things as you see fit.

 

I would not let them mess with the wiring. I wish my SR5 didn't have key less entry. A plain ole key to unlock and start the truck would suit me just fine.

 

Yeah, the installation screams aftermarket for sure...I read with interest @moe2o4's threads on the cruise and intermittent wiper upgrades...I had those on order the day I got the truck home...I knew I was buying a "utility" package, but good grief, my last car that didn't have keyless entry was a 1974 VW Super Beetle! At least the intermittent wiper and cruise control upgrades are inexpensive, and plug and play...I guess it wouldn't make sense for Toyota to make a totally separate platform for the SR, so the SR5 upgrades are easily installed by the factory, and fortunate for us, the DIY'ers...

 

I installed this kit in my Tacoma a few weeks ago because there is no key lock on the passenger door. I was not happy about cutting the one wire and using a few taps, but since Toyota put their name on it I figured it was worth a shot. Regarding the toggle switch, it is only needed if you need to program more remotes and is not permanently installed in the truck. I elected to not connect the horn and headlights, just my preference. It is not a big deal to me, but the range is not very far.

 

OK, I just talked to the service folks again, and they said the installation would be warranted in the same way as the truck, and that the part was actually approved by Toyota, so I think I'm going to move forward with it. Not once, not twice, but three times today I went over to the passenger door to find it locked with no way to get in, other than walk around and unlock it from the driver door. Royal pain in the derriere.

How much range would you say it has?

 

Well, I just received a note from my salesman with an update. He can tell I'm not interested in anything that's not OEM. If you go on the Toyota site and build a Tacoma, there's an option for an "SR Convenience Package," which includes keyless entry and cruise control. Evidently, those parts are added at the distributor before the truck is shipped to the dealer. This keyless entry part is what they use with the "SR Convenience Package," in addition to the cruise control. Interesting.

 

I ordered this part no. 00016-32901 on my 2017 SR. The part they sent has the part no 00016-32912 on it and appears to be identical. I downloaded the directions from the link above and it works for the 2017 SR. This is my experience:

Removing the the kick plate and trim is fairly straight forward except where the hood opener pull is attached, it is easier to disconnect after you drop the trim down. It is a little tricky to get the pin at the end of the cable, out of it's slot because of the angle of the slit the cable has to slide laterally through, makes it hard to see. There is also a tire pressure reset switch that you have to release.

There are trim release pins around the "under-steering-wheel" airbag. The air bag trim stays in place.

As far as the connectors:

First. I will note that the diagrams for the wire positions are from the pin side of the connector, not the wire side. The wire side where you attach the t-taps is the mirror image of the connector diagram.

On the page of the install where it shows D. CONNECTOR DETAIL:

1. The I7 connector is adjacent to the ignition key switch.

2. Connector C11 (black) is on the opposite side of the steering column, near the top, in front of a yellow connector and has a pin on top that you have to press pretty hard with a small screw driver or awl to get it out.

3.Connector S8 (also black) is behind the yellow connector and comes off fairly easily by pressing the tab on top with your thumb. This is the horn tap.

4.Connector IC1 (gray) is with the lower set of connectors almost adjacent to top of the footrest on the left side under the dash. It is on the top left side of that bank of connectors and partially hidden by wires, and in low light, it's hard to tell it's gray.

5. Connector IC2 (white) is right beside the IC1 connector.


I don't know if you will experience this, but after wiring everything up, when I reconnected the battery, the horn would start blowing and the lights flashing, and would not cut off when I hit the panic button. To keep from disturbing the neighborhood. I disconnected the horn before I reconnected the battery and let the lights flash. They went out after 30 seconds. I then reattached the horn and everything worked properly. (a loose pin connection in the harness connection to the module may have caused this problem. Reattaching the connector seemed to cure it.)

The headlights stay on for 30 seconds after you lock the doors. I didn't particularly like this feature so I left that pin off.

A word of warning. The directions say attach the main module to the support for the dash. There are several, one of which, also has the brake pedal attached to it. If you put cable ties around that support, you won't be able to depress the brake!

 

That's SO uncool on Toyotas part!

When I ordered my 2015 Utility Package truck I wanted only two options, Conv and Utility. I knew the only way to get power outside mirrors, factory keyless and cruise was to have the Conv package, I don't care about the leather wheel but I have it.

Then the 3rd gens come out and you get standard power mirrors but a non OEM keyless if you want the Utility Package. At least they added the MID for 2019.

Maybe in 2020 they will let the two be combined.

 

This is a dumb question, but what does the aftermarket keyless entry do? Does it unlock the doors as you approach the vehicle, or do you have to touch the handle? If you have to touch the handle do you have to replace the door handles?

 

The aftermarket “oem” keyless entry is a Toyota distributors solution for 3rd gen SR Tacoma owners who want keyless entry. It includes 2 key fobs, with door unlock, lock, and panic buttons. Doesn’t do what you ask about, it’s the traditional key fob.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/installing-oem-keyless-entry.619447/#post-21084014

 

Ah, so it's just a remote lock / unlock device using buttons on a keyfob. Got it.

Do any systems exist to add true keyless (i.e. touch handle to unlock with fob in pocket) exist?

 

Not that I know of unless you get it with your truck. I hate those anyway lol

 

Fair enough. I had it on my last vehicle and it's pretty damn annoying not having it now. Admiditly it seems ridiculous to complain about having to get a key out of a pocket, but if you haven't had to for 3 years it's hard to go back!

 

I understand. I was amazed that my new SR had an old fashioned manual key, all my cars have had key fobs for many years so of course upgrading to the key fob was great for me. Our new 2020 Accord has the touch handle, but I’m more used to key fobs.

 

I was amazed too. I didn't find out until after I was in the process of signing the paperwork. The salesman walked over with a "by the way, you do know..." I almost walked, but my wife convinced the GM to throw in the keyless entry along with the installation, so I went through with the deal. As many times as I forget to lock my cars/trucks, and living in Florida with the rain, it was a must have.

During the drive home, it started to rain, and I found out it didn't have intermittent wipers either. Talk about buyers remorse during the drive home. My bad for not doing the due diligence, but I haven't owned a vehicle that didn't have keyless entry and intermittent wipers in 30 years, so I never thought to check. I mean, who the hell doesn't include these rudimentary functions??? Guess I was too excited that I could connect my iPhone via BlueTooth. Thankfully I found this site, and the cruise/wiper upgrade saved my sanity. I literally had the parts on order the day I drove the truck home.

 

On my way home I reached for the cruise control and was like wtf who sells a new car without cruise control I added it about a week later it was easy