2nd gen keyless remote

Has anyone verified weather these USED KEYS can in fact be programed. I have seen here that used keys cannot be programmed. In fact, my dealer (dude at parts counter) told that a used key cannot be programmed to be used on a different car. I repeat: Has anyone been able to reprogram a used key?

 

?

 

The key fobs are never programmed. Instead the car is programmed to work with the key.

Used smart keys can be paired with a Prius, but it takes a special dealer subscription with Toyota and several time consuming steps. It's not cheap, and not all dealers can do it.

A used fob can be paired to work as a dumb fob without the above procedure, but none of the smart functions will work.

Tom

 

Some savvy auto locksmiths and independent service shops can mate used (aka Ebay) Smartkey Fobs to your Prius. It requires expensive software and the experience/patience to do it.

In Berkeley CA Kensington Chevron and Art's Automotive can do it.

In Boulder/Denver CO Boulder Hybrid Conversions can hook you up.

 

Um ... yes and no.
First, re-read qbee's comment. You HAVE to have the right tools, whether you're a Toyota tech specialist, an independent, or a carpenter ... you have to have the tools to mate the SKS.
Second, you can NOT mate the smart functions after the original rolling code program has been used the requisite amount of times. I can't recall if that's 50 times or 100 times ... but at some point, the smart functions will not pair.
That's why the argument continues to this day, "I know I guy who CAN reprogram SKS" ... "I know a dealership who said the key will NOT reprogram". If you put the 2 adamant experiences together, and you get the reason why.

On a positive note, the Toyota SKS is less expensive to program (to the car, as qbee mentioned) than the Nissan. At one time, we had 5 SKS fobs programmed for our Gen II. But if you want lots of extra fobs for your Nissan? ALL FOBS must be reprogrammed, in order to add the next fob. So we won't be adding more than a 3rd fob (ie; reprogramming the first 2 sks fobs, as well as programming the 3rd) for our Leaf ... it gets really expensive.

 

Yes, you need special tools to program Smartkey fobs. "Virgin" keys from the dealer are easy to mate to the car if you at least one other working fob and any version of Techstream software with an appropriate interface cable.

You are a little incorrect about the rolling code making the used key unusable....the used Fob cannot be mated to the car as a full "smart" fob if you only have standard Techstream software. (although you can make it start the car if you insert into the dash).

However, if you have locksmith credentials or work with a Toyota approved locksmith and can get the correct Passcode from the Seedcode generated in Techstream you can do a Smartkey ECU reset and mate any used (i.e. ebay) Fobs to a Prius.... I do it all the time and the ebay keys will have full Smartkey functionality when I'm done....it takes a bit of patience and more time but it absolutely works. Dealers who say it cannot be done are ignorant or don't want the hassle.

Here is an article about the whole thing courtesy of Arts Automotive:
Adding, deleting, and replacing Prius Smart Keys

PS, if anyone bought ebay fobs, couldn't make them work then ended up buying virgin dealer fobs, I'll buy your ebay fob if it is just sitting in a drawer...pmail me if interested in selling.

 

There may be a 128 usage issue with a black logo keyfob. At least there is a mode in the Microchip security chip that changes function after the rolling code passes 128. But it's an option, and I have no idea if Toyota actually chose to activate it.

Paul: Have you seen issues with used black logo keyfobs? What do you do with an all-keys-lost situation on a non-SKS car?

Another question... Is there an equivalent setup on a Gen3 keyfob where it works only near the Power button, but not by proximity? It appears to me that the Power button mode is the same encoding as remote/proximity, except that the Power button sends enough power inductively to run the electronics. There's certainly no obvious transponder inside a Gen3 keyfob.

 

The non-smartkey Gen2s with used (ebay) black logo key fobs are easy to mate to the car if you have at least one working fob...never had a problem doing that. If you lose all keys you'll need to do a seed reset (Techstream+locksmith credentials).

I don't have enough Gen3 experience yet to answer your Gen3 questions.