Faulty Immobilizer Switch

I've had somewhat of an intermittent issue on my 06 (now at 50K) in that sometimes when I crank it'll try for a while but will never turn over. I stop, crank immediately again and it'll start up. I've read some older posts where others had to wait 20 minutes or so before it would crank.

At first I thought it was a battery issue because it seemed to be a likely explanation but I checked the terminals and even had the Toyota techs verify the battery was good.

Yesterday I took it into the stealership and they said it was sending a Key Verification Fault code. Essentially the way they explained it is that the immobilizer was kicking in and wouldn't let the engine turn over.

Long story short they are recommending I get a new key switch assembly...all told a $280 install.

Has anyone had this issue?

 

I have a 06 aswell that the red car of the inmobilizer is always blinking even when the car is running and most of the times it takes me a couple of tries before cranking up! I'm taking it to the dealer tomorrow and I'll let you know what the said!

 

What I'm wondering is if it is a faulty key assembly, if I installed a remote start wouldn't that bypass the key assembly anyways...and thus rectify the problem?

 

If you had your keys close enough to a powerful magnet or magnetic source for long enough you could have damaged the chip. Other than that, they can simply go bad after a while although it isn't too terribly common for them to just fail.

 

The dealership never once mentioned that as being a potential problem. But the part they said that would need to be ordered was a key switch assembly...so not the key, but the switch.

 

I kinda doubt that... I press mine up against powerful magnets all the time at work and it's yet to have any issues....

*Note, I don't do it intentionally I just end up leaning against them working around tools

 

Maybe it wont, but I wouldn't risk it with the cost of a replacement. A friend of mine has been a locksmith for over 30 years and specializes in coding these keys and noted that very strong magnets can damage the transponder. Now obviously I'm not talking about a refrigerator magnet. Industrial magnets, like the kind that will cut your finger off, of maim you if you get them wedged in between two will cause a problem.

 

How would I know if I have an immobolizer on my '06? Did they all have them or was it an option?

thanks

 

Yea, I'm talking about very high power industrial magnets lol...

 

Do you have a second key you could try? If it is just a key that has a damaged chip I would assume that would be a cheaper replacement.

 

sounds like we have a similar issue... check out my post, it has been a hassle.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/67324-wtfff-09-wont-start-need-help-asap.html

 

Here's what I'm wondering, if it is something to do with the Key Switch Assembly, if I were to install a remote starter wouldn't that send the code directly to the computer, therefore bypassing the potential for it not being recognized in the key?