the end of the "don't lose your keys or else" myth

[galaxee]

just to put some minds at ease here, the 2004+ prius does not require a full ecu replacement job if you lose all of your keyfobs.

these cars have full support for the "engine immobilzer reset system" through TIS.
what this means is that the dealership can get a special passcode to reset your ecu, erase all lost/stolen keys (so noone's going to drive your car off with your old key) and reset a master key. this sets them on track to programming the other keys like normal.

to do this you need a photo id and your vehicle title, they will not do this without proof that you are the owner of the vehicle.

as for the cost of this procedure, i have no idea. it's less than an ecu and labor to replace it.

update:
okay so... it appears that dealers still don't know what the hell they're doing and rather than doing the whole "call tech support" thing it is on OUR shoulders to educate them...

sigh... sickening.

anyway, DH just took a few pics of the procedure as done on the new scantool/laptop deal.

first: connecting to the car without keys.

description of immobilizer reset:


you see this description when you select this:


after selecting that option, you see this screen


and connect to car, with blank fob in slot and car off (because without keys... it won't turn on!)


it takes quite a while with the car off.


you have to enter car info manually



and after this screen, it gives you the seed number to reset the immobilizer.


next, the TIS authorization. not just anyone can log in and do this.


it's under the diagnostics tab, listed as "immobilizer reset"


and after this screen is where you enter the seed number you get from the car.


this should be enough to get ANYONE started. now if someone still has trouble getting their local dealership to do this... well, there's only so much that we can do...

[jeromep]

I'm glad you posted this. It should be made into a sticky and placed at the top of the section for all to read and remember.

[brandon]

Eh, I dunno about sticky status. While interesting, this isn't really of vital must-know interest to the majority of owners, since a very small number have actually lost all of their keys. Plus, I don't want to have to form a habit of scrolling through the stickies to get to the new posts. Just my $.02.

[galaxee]

i don't really care about making it a sticky or anything, but i wanted to put the info out there since there have been at least 2 threads recently dealing with having no keyfobs. i saw a number of people sharing the "you have to get a new ecu" bit, and i wanted to educate everyone about this reset system thing. once the group knows about this, they'll pass the info on to anyone who needs it in a relevant future thread. that's the great thing about this group.

[brandon]

Agreed, precisely. Thanks for the good info, Galaxee!

[Alnilam]

This is the kind of info that makes PriusChat worth the full price of admission! The mechanics I've talked to don't know this.

[bwilson4web]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Jul 19 2006, 06:05 PM) [snapback]288998[/snapback]</div>

just to put some minds at ease here, the 2004-2006 prius does not require a full ecu replacement job if you lose all of your keyfobs.

these cars have full support for the "engine immobilzer reset system" through TIS.
what this means is that the dealership can get a special passcode to reset your ecu, erase all lost/stolen keys (so noone's going to drive your car off with your old key) and reset a master key. this sets them on track to programming the other keys like normal.

to do this you need a photo id and your vehicle title, they will not do this without proof that you are the owner of the vehicle.

as for the cost of this procedure, i have no idea. it's gotta be less than an ecu and labor to replace it.
[/b]

This is good information but I need a reference for the FAQ in GreenHybrid.com. Could you give me the dealer and their phone number? That way folks can share the contact information with their local service department.

Thanks,
Bob Wilson

[daronspicher]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jeromep @ Jul 19 2006, 06:53 PM) [snapback]289036[/snapback]</div>

I'm glad you posted this. It should be made into a sticky and placed at the top of the section for all to read and remember.
[/b]

how about if we get rid of the pile of stickies already up there...

Or get them a page of their own... You click on the one sticky link which brings up the page of stickies.

[galaxee]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bwilson4web @ Jul 20 2006, 02:38 AM) [snapback]289241[/snapback]</div>

This is good information but I need a reference for the FAQ in GreenHybrid.com. Could you give me the dealer and their phone number? That way folks can share the contact information with their local service department.

Thanks,
Bob Wilson [/b]

there's a blurb in the repair manual about the reset procedure, but it really refers you to "follow the instructions on the scantool"

there's also a tsb describing the procedure, i'll see if i can't get the number for you.

[Charles Suitt]

THANKS galaxee for the continuing accurate information.

I just had my 20,000 service done together with the SSC-60C steering column fix and a couple of minor warranty items (Center console lid replaced, upper glove box spring problem - parts ordered). Furnished my own oil (3½ qts Mobil-1 5W30 - ±$25). tires rotated (my pressures 40/38) - bill $46.71.

POINT: The Assistant Service Manager commented that PriusChat and PrinsOnline were great sources of accurate information which Toyota seems slow to distribute to the dealers' service departments.