Flip Key for 2016 Taco

That's a perfect car for my 16 yr old daughter

 

Congrats on the new wheels! Stay Japanese and your vehicles will last forever.

 

Yes it is. I'm sure she would love it, and you for buying her a new car.

 

I would not change a thing with my MT key. I've completely submerged it in my friends pool and it was fine. Swam around for 20 mins completely submerged. Also has been through the washing machine for 2 cycles and it was fine. Lets see these rigged up fobs handle that.

 

Such a cute ute

 

The internals for those “rigged” key fobs as you called them are the same as your MT keys.

 

The internal parts aren't waterproof. I'm talking about the housing and stuff that people are breaking and taking instruments to. Thus compromising the seal for the internals.

 

The outter housing isn’t sealed. It is two piece of plastic held together via clips with no o-rings.

The only way to remove the transponder chip is to break the housing. It’s a necessary evil as the original method was for a complete swap of all the parts and not a reprogram.

It’s cool that you water tested your key but spouting nonsense as your key is better vs “rigged” keys when internally they’re one in the same makes you sound conceited and privileged.

We are all out to share our different ways of modding and to improve some creature comfort that Toyota seems to be lacking IMHO.

 

Let me know when you start selling them

 

Thanks. I like it better than the '16 tacoma 4 cylinder I traded in.

 

I know those little cut utes are popular with the teenagers nowadays

 

Yeah I can see why after owning mine for just under 2 months. Sweet ride.

 

Ok, to get this thread back on track... here's my review of the recent flip key option presented to us by @nxcess.
Here was the flip key that we this thread originally started with:


This key is fine yet felt a little cheap and janky. Still holds up fine after a year of normal abuse and IMO is still a better option than the stock key. This housing basically takes the original key guts and transfers them right in.

The new key that @nxcess posted about looks like this:



As you can see in the photos, the buttons don't match up with the stock key and the original flip key option. As mentioned in the posts above, in order to get this key working with your 2016+ M/T Taco, you'll have to use a laptop and a ODBII mini VCI cable to program the key. Unfortunately it's not as easy as swapping parts or doing some key/button combination. It requires the computer and connection to your vehicle.

For starters, you can buy this key for about $20 shipped on Ali Express. As mentioned, you MUST purchase a key that has the proper FCC ID. You'll want to double check on your stock key but on the back it should read "HYQ12BDP". This is the same coded key you want to buy from Ali Express.
Here's the link: Toyota Flip Key

Next you'll need to buy a Mini VCI cable that specifically works with Toyota's Techstream software (more on that in a sec). The cable I bought from Ali Express cost about $12 shipped.
Here's the link: Mini VCI cable

Next you'll need a laptop that preferably has Windows 7 (I used 64bit). People have reported that Windows 7 32 bit works the best. There are people who have reported success with Windows 8 and some with Windows 10. Even with Windows 7 64 bit, there are some tweaks you'll need to do.

Get the TechStream software from here: Techstream
Follow instructions to the "T".

Once you receive your cable, you'll need to install the drivers. The mini-disc that comes with the cable is a PITA to deal with if you don't have a tray-loading disc drive. Instead, follow the instructions (with included downloadable driver) here:

Mini VCI Driver Installation Instructions
Again, follow the instructions to the "T".

At this point you should be able to launch the Techstream software and connect to your vehicle. For whatever reason my truck didn't auto populate the details screen when Techstream connected to my truck. However, I was able to manually use pull-downs to get it selected. Once it connected, information for my truck started pulling up.

NOTE: Here's the unfortunate part, I wasn't able to program the immobilizer that came with the new key. I think this has to do with the functionality of the software/cable. If you want to program the key, you might have to buy a more expensive cable/unit. Information about this is stated in the Techstream link above towards the bottom. However, since I had extracted my immobilzer from my factory key to use in the original flip key, I just swapped them.

So, after the immoblizer swap and after you've had your key blade cut by a locksmith (don't go to Home Depot... please), the last step is to program the key buttons to your Taco. Open up Techstream, connect to your vehicle after performing all steps above. Then, follow the instructions in this video (this video also tells you how to program the immobilizer as well but as stated above, I couldn't get it to work):
https://youtu.be/kUIIbtjB760?t=120

In a nutshell, you'll go to Main Body > Utility (side panel) > Wireless Code Registration and then follow the instructions on the screen. I can confirm that this worked perfectly for me.

So, for about $30 you can have a flip key that's a bit nicer in quality and is a bit more unique. It was worth it to me because now I have a the software and cable in case I want to do any number of different things you can do with Techstream. Still a bit bummed I couldn't get the immobilizer chip to program but it's not a big deal after all is said and done. I simply put the new immoblizer chip in my old flip key for another day. If I find a way to get this programmed, I'll post up an update.

I will note that I had an issue with the keyblade pin in my new flip key. I ended up having to buy a tension pin from my local hardware store, cut it down to size and slide it in. Other than that (and the trial and error with the software/driver) everything else went fairly smooth.

Thanks again to @nxcess for bringing this to our attention.

If there are any questions, please post up.

 

Quick update. The newer fob mentioned in this post is of much higher quality and still holding strong today. If you’re willing to tinker with programming the keyless entry per of this fob, it’s well worth it.

 

Were you able to program the immobilizer in this key? When I try to program it, it says lost communication with key. I was able to program the buttons on it but not the immobilizer.

I was able to program 2 standard type keys with no problem - immobilizer and buttons. All 3 keys have the same number and chip - HYQ12BDP with H chip.

 

Didn't do it since I already had my immobilizer chip removed.

My FOB has been holding well. it has been through a bit of abuse, buttons hasn't faded, locks/unlocks glove and tailgate. ;x

 

No luck on the immobilizer here either. Tried it and had the same results. Was able to program the buttons only.

 

I was told this H chip requires a Tango programmer. I don't know what that is but it seems like Techstream can't do it. Even though it works for other H chips.

 

Would anyone who tore up their old key getting out the transponder be willing to send me their buttons? I was replacing battery today and didn't realize they would just fall out.

They're somewhere in the Walgreens parking lot, but I'll be damned if I can find them. DOH!!!

 

You can get a case replacement

https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/323122281751