Minimalist Key Fob Case

You only need a new transponder if you want to add another key or keep the old one intacted.

 

Me?

If so, I don't want to ruin a good key. By extension, it weirdly reminds me of getting a used car and only one key or remote. I don't plan on selling. Just wired weird.

 

Ahh gotcha. Appreciate it. I guess IF I ever sell my taco, this key will go with it along with the regular spare. Wont decrease the value so why not. But thats a huge huge IF. Like...win the lottery IF.

 

Definitely. All keys would go with it.

If I won the lottery, the Taco would become less of a daily driver, as would I. Hahaha!

 

If you get it all working, do a write up with some pictures and links of what is needed. Might wait to do mine and see how this turns out. Like you, I'd rather not destroy a good key if possible and if it is only a bit extra, I might try going that route too!

 

Will do! It was $8.89usd shipped to me. But, the order confirmation talked a bunch of stuff about being wholesale / biz to biz only. I reached out to note the purpose, see if they will actually send it or not, and if others would be allowed to order for this purpose.

If not, there are sellers on eBay with chips shipping out of Asia with a week or so shipping time for about the same price.


I will let you know how it turns out.

 

Just ordered a cement since no blue was avail. Also ordered an ultimate dome since why not.

 

I feel almost as excited as I did the day I got my truck...

 

So this is interesting.

I ordered a full key off flea bay for twenty something and it came like this. No cutting required. Of course I’ll have to techstream to add the transponder but that saved me a bit of time right there.

ETA: I couldn't get the electronics to be recognized by the truck. So, this plan is poor for someone wanting to use those. I'll work more on the transponder part tonight or this week, that was the only purpose of my purchase. A better plan for someone only interested in the transponder is the one Tony found (I got one of those too but it's not here yet.)

 

Do you have a link?

 

For the MESO flip key, I'm considering following your path in lieu of destroying 1 of 2 OEM keys. Could you provide a link to the Ebay vendor? I looked at the bottom of the page, but no luck.

@daveeasa, please keep us updated on your progress with techstream. Thank you in advance.

 

This is the one I went with. Keep in mind I have no idea yet if it will work but it looks promising upon receipt and it was pretty quick to arrive (don’t have my flip fob yet)

ETA: See above, electronics didn't register for me, though it was my first time using Techstream so remote possibility of user error on that one.

 

I bought a used OEM key off ebay for $30. (I prefer denso quality over the aftermarket keys) I then reprogrammed the fob and the transponder using Techstream because I didn't want to destroy one of my original keys. Now I'm just waiting on my flip fob from Meso to show so I can get the blank cut and swap over my parts from my Ebay key. These trucks can have up to 6 keys programmed to them.

Also you do not need to cut a key to program the transponder. Techstream does not have you turn the key of the one you're programming. you only need to cycle the ignition with the master (origional) key.

This is the key I bought.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-3-B...-12BDP/333744524992?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

Any chance you have a link to instructions for how to program it? Super easy?

 

Good idea. Should work fine as long as it takes the programming. There’s nothing special about the transponder chips. I will caution you about the lock/unlock buttons. The last “generic” fob circuit board I tried the buttons were tight and needed tuning(see my install video) but after adjustments worked fine. OEM internal boards have a clear top, and a lot of aftermarket are black tops. Just tolerance variations between them but in the end with enough tuning they both will work.

 

It's a very simple and straight forward process. Here are a couple youtube videos that should help.

Immobilizer programming
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gc_yd4TpNs

key fob button programming
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SivdN83i4E

 

I noticed the “tuning” part. Pretty slick stuff, you think of everything.

I’m fine with using the guts from one of my OEM keys to make it work, just really didn’t want to destroy it extracting the transponder. I expected this key to show up glued. Nice surprise that it wasn’t.

if my darn kids ever go to sleep I can try out programming it.

ETA: Failed to get the new key electronics added.

 

Does the FCC code match your original key? I was tempted to purchase one but I checked my key and its a different FCC number.

 

It’s a total fake. I only got it for the transponder really. The $8 one Tony found seems like a better deal on that. I had a small hope the electronics might play nice but it doesn’t seem so. I’ll update my post.

I didn’t spend enough time on it last night but the post from GF8er indicates I should be able to program the immobilizer transponder part without having a key cut but I thought it prompted me to insert the new key. I will put more effort into that tonight.

ETA: From reading prior posts someone suggested taping the new transponder to a known good key. I could try that.

I’ll update my prior post to indicate this plan is not so good

 

Just a note that I have not seen the transponder yet or heard if they are even going to ship it. Looking at my account, they have not yet processed the order.

My guess is that they are holding firm on the biz only purchases.

With the flip fob out for delivery to me today, it is decision time.