Lexus Credit Card Key Working in Tacoma

Cliff Notes:
-Key part number: 89904-53511 or 89904-53512
-Make sure Key says Denso model 14CBB or FCC HYQ14CBB
-Works in 2016 through 2020.
-Buy an extra Battery, CR2412
-Emergency Key (slide in mechanical key) part number: 69515-30350


Works even better with the Smart Key Handle on the Passenger Door




Since the day I got the truck I wasn't happy about the key fob it comes with. If I don't need to use a key to start the truck why is the fob so big? I did some research and found Lexus has a key card available but not Toyota. This key card is the size of a credit card and as thick as three credit cards. It is a sturdy metal "card" and weighs 1oz which is about the same as the factory fob (3 credit cards weigh 0.5oz).

I was hoping someone smarter than me would figure out how to get the Lexus card working and I could copy them. After 5 months I decided to dig in do some research and figure it out.

First I found that many think the FCC ID on the back of the key fob is how you match up to another working key. This may help, but is 100% false. The FCC ID can be the same and the key not work, or it could be different and the key still work. This was good news and bad news. Good because there was no Lexus card with the same FCC ID, but bad because it wasn't that easy. Inside the key is a code written on the circuit board. This is what we want to match. Bad news there is you can't open the Lexus Card to look at the circuit board.

I then decided to look at the part numbers for the Smart Key ECU. Of course they are all different depending on the vehicle model. When I dug deeper I realized the part number reflects the entire package of the ECU with the brackets. If I could find the part number of the ECU itself I could try to find a Lexus that uses the same ECU. With the help of eBay I searched for the smart Key ECUs, and after looking at countless models I wrote down the Lexus models with matching ECU part numbers (remember the brains of the ECU, not the official part number with the brackets installed that a dealer would tell you). What I found was that it is the same as the 2014-2015 Lexus IS250 and IS350. A few other models use the same ECU code, but can differ even during the same model year, including the RC, the NX and sirprisingly the IS-F.

The icing on the cake was when I found the 2015 Toyota Highlander used the same ECU code.
The reason I say that is a poster on Toyota Nation got the Lexus Card working with his Highlander, from there I knew I could be done for sure. That forum thread is here:http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/3...xle-highlander.html#/topics/1114266?_k=csobay

So I found the part number for the Lexus Key for the IS250- 89904-53511, and looked for a good deal. There were several for sale on eBay for $250, and a used one much cheaper. The used ones may not be able to be easily reprogrammed though so I stayed away from that one. I found partznet.com had the best price. I paid $185 shipped after a coupon code for 10% off on Wednesdays (HUMP10, even though I purchased on a Tuesday, if that doesn't work, just call and ask for a discount, they are always good for 10% off).
Once I had the key I tried a couple locksmiths and they either wouldn't try or said they couldn't program the smart keys, finally I got a reccomendation on where to go who would do it. I really didn't want to deal with the dealer, it seems I am always there for at least a couple hours. The locksmith I used was able to do it in less than 10 min even though he had trouble at first and told me the software takes 16 minutes. His software did not list 2016 Tacoma, so we used 2015 Lexus IS250 and it worked perfectly.
If you have a Windows PC with a 32 bit processor you can buy the techstream software and cord on Amazon for under $40 and do it yourself. I am a Mac user with no acces to a PC, so this wasn't an option for me, I probably overpaid as I paid double that at the locksmith, but happy to have it working.

It wasn't cheap but I am happy to not have to carry keys (I tried putting my key in my wallet before and it made it very thick, nice to have a nice thin wallet again.)
I park in the garage so never even need a key for my house.



I will next order the emergency key that fits inside this key and have that cut. While at the locksmith I had a tailgate key cut, if you want the factory tailgate key, the part number for Tailgate Only key is 90999-00185

EDIT: As time goes on Toyota may update parts or code, and these part numbers may no longer be valid on future years. Some Lexus models changed year to year, though it seems maybe to accommodate this Card Key. It is possible that this may work for every 3rd Gen Tacoma ever made, or it may only work for the first few years, so far up to the 2019s. I am including these pictures to help you know whether it should still work on your truck. Notice the part number on the circuit board: 281451-2110 also the "AG" on the right hand side is important. Some other Toyota models have only a "G" even with similar part numbers it seems you need to match the letters as well.
The above photo shows the codes and part numbers written on the back of the wallet card.


On the ECU or "control module" the most important numbers are "TMLF12-1" this is the model number for the ECU. The other part number you see is the Tacoma part number which includes the bracket, that may change, but as long as the TMLF12-1 stays the same (which is shared with Lexus and a few other Toyotas) you should be able to get this solution to work for you.

I did a lot of research, if anyone has any questions feel free to ask.

 

Very cool OP!

 

Can't wait for Toyota to have this $500 option.

 

Not till 4th gen.

 

Which is 2026

 

And will be an "all new truck" besides the seatbelt bracket of course.

 

And the cruise control switch.

 

And hopefully A NEW FUCKING GRILL

 

Regardless, this is very cool. How thick are the keys? ***EDIT nevermind I looked it up on google.

I really want to do this... when I get a gen3.

 

This is awesome

 

Want....

 

I got very confused reading this and i'm just going to assume you're a genius. this is awesome.

 

Good question I forgot to include originally. Edited my post to include;
It is as thick as 3 credit cards and is otherwise the same size and shape. It is a little heavier though, as it is pretty sturdy metal.

 

Victory you are an @ss Hole....making me spend $300 on something I didn't know about before, but now I NEED it.
Thank You,

 

Well worth it in my opinion, as someone who hates carrying keys, this is freaking awesome, too bad I have the poor man Sr5.

 

nice op

 

WOW. Great work OP!! This is the ingenuity I love seeing from TW.

 

@smitty99

 

FCC ID is for the keyless fob remote part of it. What matters is the chip inside the key and it's encryption

 

Well done sir, well done