Another Stupid Valet Key Thread

I seriously searched this forum and found nothing definitive on this subject, thus I am asking now.

The 2015 Taco TRD I just bought came with one key with a large black plastic handle, one fob, and one key with a small black plastic handle, all items with the Toyota logo on them.

The owner's manual very clearly shows two types of keys that match the two I have. It says that the ones with the large plastic handles are for vehicles with an engine immobilizer, and the ones with the small plastic handles are for vehicles without an engine immobilizer.

I have to infer from that that there are 2015 Tacomas somewhere that don't have an engine immobilizer. I don't have a clue where that might be, but my truck is definitely equipped with an engine immobilizer. The immobilizer light on the dash flashes all the time. If I insert the key with the large plastic handle into the ignition switch, the immobilizer light goes out, and I can start the vehicle normally. If I insert the key with the small plastic handle into the switch, the immobilizer light on the dash continues to flash, and I can crank the engine, BUT IT WILL NOT START. This confirms that this key does indeed not have a transponder.

So this begs a couple of questions:

First, is this key actually supposed to be a "valet key?" The purpose of a "valet key" is to allow a valet parking attendant to drive and park your vehicle, while denying access to everything but the door and the ignition switch. Since the door and the ignition switch are the only keyed switches on the vehicle, what freaking good is a so called valet key? The manual says absolutely nothing about this.

Second, if this key won't start the vehicle, what good is it other than allowing you to unlock the door and access the electrical accessories? Useless as tits on a bull.

I'd like to hear from other owners of vehicles with engine immobilizers:

Confirm that your so-called "valet key" (the key with the small plastic handle, whether it is gray or black) will indeed start your vehicle. You need to be sure that all your other keys are safely away from the vehicle so the ECU can't possibly read their transponder codes, like at least twenty or more feet away.

 

Post pictures of the key, same thing just went on with my sisters corolla. One key was aftermarket and we wanted more made, one key was out of the loop and when they programmed the keys it made things all wonky. as far as i know the gray key is always the valet key. If the immobilizer light doesnt go out that key is either messed up(as in not programmed right, a new aftermarket key from pop a lock or something is cheap) or not your key at all.

 

The grey valet key for Tacomas will start the truck but will not allow someone to program additional transponder keys.

A non transponder key is great for a hide a key. If someone finds it, they can't steal the truck.

 

Here is what I did open the key take out the chip. Superglued the chip to the ring around the ignition Closed the key back up superglued it. Went to ace hardware. Had them make me a key don't have to worry about it chipped key. Just be sure of your placement before you glue it. Once it's there It's there. What i did was hold it in different places on the ring. Until I found the spot where it started every time.. Superglued it in place no more stupid chipped key. Works great.

 

Factory supplied valet key will do everything the master key will do. The only difference is the valet key cannot be used to program a new key into the system.

Someone had a spare made without the transponder, good for hiding on the truck if you get locked out, but not for much else.