1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Can I use a used FOB for my 2010 Prius?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by kennedyvalley, Nov 22, 2011.

  1. kennedyvalley

    kennedyvalley New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2011
    8
    0
    0
    Location:
    Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Hello, I read in a few post that lead me to believe I can get my 2010 Prius to accept a used key FOB that I buy on Ebay. I've tried 2 different FOB's and my dealer tells me that they can't be programed to any car except the the one that they came with new and that I would have to buy a brand new key fob from them and have it programed.
    Can anyone help?
     
  2. houtxfdcapt

    houtxfdcapt New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2010
    5
    0
    0
    Location:
    Conroe
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I am in the same boat. I bought two used ones also and the car will not accept them.. but the dealer states the reason the car wont accept them is that my car shows 5 remotes programmed to it(max allowed), but I only received two remotes when I got the car new...

    please keep us posted what you figure out...
     
  3. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2006
    18,058
    3,073
    7
    Location:
    Northern Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Your Prius can be paired with a used fob, but to do so you need a dealer with the proper Toyota subscription and equipment to reseed the ECU for your SKS. Not all dealers are able or willing to do this. When you do find one that will, make sure to take all of your fobs to the dealer. The reseeding process unpairs them, so they all need to be added.

    Tom
     
  4. melephant

    melephant New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2005
    7
    0
    0
    Location:
    Somonauk, IL
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    When I told this to 2 dealers they both told me all we can do is try. It works sometimes but not others. And it will cost you $60 just to try. They have no clue if they have the right subscription or not. Does Toyota have a telephone number that can help me out with this?
     
  5. kennedyvalley

    kennedyvalley New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2011
    8
    0
    0
    Location:
    Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I guess I got lucky, my dealer said "no charge" when they could not program my used remote. Then they goave me a discount on a new one. I tried 2 used fobs with no luck.
     
  6. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2010
    3,961
    2,609
    0
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Run away from those fools. Toyota surely knows exactly what to do if you lose your car keys. You don't have to have the car thrown away.
     
  7. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2006
    18,058
    3,073
    7
    Location:
    Northern Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    This is true in the sense that the dealer has no control over the used fob that you bring in. They have no way to know if it works. Since the dealer is not supplying it, it would be unreasonable for them not to charge for the programming attempt.

    On the other hand, a dealer with the proper tools, knowledge, and a Toyota security account can pair a working fob. Some will try and charge only if your fob works, but this is a good will gesture.

    Tom
     
  8. h00ktern

    h00ktern Member

    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2011
    134
    40
    4
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Not being an expert, but having done extensive reading on this topic, and having Techstream with a Mongoose cable, I believe the most accurate answer is:

    Providing the fobs are serviceable and you have at least one original key fob, re-seeding is not necessary. Re-seeding is only needed when there are no original key fobs.

    A simple reset of the module can be done w/ Techstream, without the locksmith clearance, and using one OE key fob. The total number of allowable keys is seven.

    Provided serviceable used fobs, and an OE key, dealers fail because they try to add the used key fobs, like would be appropriate if you bought a brand new one, instead of erasing the module, setting the original, and adding the used.

    I may still have a few links that outline the above, if your interested.

    Safe trips

    Edit: It was easy enough to do it now - two fast links, one from a locksmith, one from a thread here...

    http://www.artsautomotive.com/publications/7-hybrid/109-prius-2nd-gen-rfid-lost-all-keys
    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...5-reprograming-used-smartkeys-2010-prius.html
     
  9. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2005
    3,193
    2,316
    0
    Location:
    CA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    But the question is whether the "procedure D" that you are describing is adequate for getting the car to accept used smart keys. Procedure D erases all smart keys programmed to the car except one.

    However, some posts have said that you need to follow "procedure E" and erase all smart keys from the car, do a reset which requires the SEED, then re-add all of the keys to the car. One poster said their locksmith followed this procedure and it was successful.

    Have you had success with just following procedure D?
     
  10. h00ktern

    h00ktern Member

    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2011
    134
    40
    4
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I don't recall what 'Procedure D' or 'E' was.

    But reading into your post, the way I understand it:

    1) Loose all keys - procure the seed.
    2) Have at least *one* good key - reset, add the master key, followed by additional used keys.

    Most important - *No*, I have not had to do either. I have TS and a Mongoose, but I still have both my OEM keys :D. I researched it in case that changes someday
     
  11. Old Bald Guy

    Old Bald Guy Old Bald Guy

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2008
    89
    20
    2
    Location:
    Ft. Worth, TX
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Maybe I'm missing something here but, why would anybody either buy or sell a USED Toyota computer chip key fob on eBay?
     
  12. Judgeless

    Judgeless Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2009
    1,821
    255
    0
    Location:
    Cleveland, OH
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    To save a lot of money. They are expensive.
     
  13. h00ktern

    h00ktern Member

    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2011
    134
    40
    4
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    New OEM $215 shipped; comes in later today :) & :mad:

    Ebay - $40 and up.

    I don't believe all of the used fobs for sale are stolen O.B.G. Some are just clones (ok, a form of theft), some just spares that never went with the car for one reason or another (wreck, sold, rental, or simply found).

    Whenever the time comes for me to sell my '11, I can't be certain my 3rd (new), or fourth (used) would go with the car.I wouldn't have a use for them, but it's within the realm of possibility that they would be left over. If they were sold, would it be proper to assume they were stolen?

    If I misinterpreted your point, I meant no harm. I am always cautious with used items - for the reason mentioned. I won't support thieves.
     
  14. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2010
    3,961
    2,609
    0
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    There are usually a pair of perfectly good keys left over from a totaled car.
     
  15. ataylorracing

    ataylorracing ataylorracing

    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2012
    171
    29
    5
    Location:
    Fishers, IN
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I lost mine in the first week of ownership. I called 5 local dealers and the most they wanted to charge to reset the original wifes fob and the new one I bought was $65 while the lowest was $1850, IF they could do it in 15 minutes. The fob new was priced $285 down to $215 too. The dealership I bought it from had the lowest fob price along with another place and they agreed to match the lowest programing charge also if they could do it in 15 minutes. They were going to charge $58.50 to do the job. They were done in 10 minutes and discounted the labor to $15.