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Yet another silver/black key fob question

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Weston, Aug 27, 2012.

  1. Weston

    Weston New Member

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    I have read all of the fob programming threads I can find and don't think this is specifically answered. My new 07 came with a single fob (silver) that works just fine. In fact it was a week before I realized that this was in fact a "smart key" which is a nice but not essential feature. Now of course I want to have a back-up key and as it happens, I have a black key for an 07. Can that key be self programmed to open the doors and start the car without worrying about the sks features?
     
  2. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    I'm not 100% positive but, I believe it can. Why not just try it and see?
     
  3. Weston

    Weston New Member

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    Well, I want to but not being entirely sure of what's programming what, I don't want to somehow end up disabling the current fob in the process!
     
  4. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    You won't hurt the working fob by trying it.
     
  5. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    FWIW, When I needed a second fob, I bought the black one then went to Toyota for the programming. They said the black one would not work with the SKS, and swapped the black one for the silver one.

    I am not saying the black one won't work. I am only saying that Toyota said it wouldn't. It could have been a stealer ploy to milk a few more bucks out of me. I didn't balk as I was being reimbursed for the work done by the seller of the car.

    Give it a go with the chicken dance thing, if it works great, if it doesn't then get the silver one. You won't hurt the original fob by trying to program a second one. There have been reports recently by Julia2001 that she successfully programmed a "new" silver fob using the "chicken dance method". If you are not successfull, take your fobs and your car to Toyota and get them to do it for you. It is not cheap, but will solve your problem.

    New key fob question, please? | PriusChat

    Please see post #7 in the above link.
     
  6. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    I lost the ability to start my 2007 with my FOB in my pocket and now have to stick it in the dash to start after I followed all the steps on here to reprogram the second FOB that came with the car but wouldn't work (still doesn't work).

    If you're using a FOB with all black Toyota logo rather than silver (w/some black) logo you're not going to get the SKS functions, or at least that's what I read...

    If you can get a silver logo FOB like the spare one I have it can be programmed via the Tech Stream software program that Toyota dealers and locksmith's have. But they have to subscribe to the security access part of the software, which allows you to wipe and reprogram all silver logo FOBS to work on your car.

    Rob H. explains the exact details of what the person with that security access/subscription has to do in this thread here: IMPORTANT EXPERIENCE: KEY/FOB Programming Issues | PriusChat
     
  7. Weston

    Weston New Member

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    Well i tried the black fob and it didn't take. I was real encouraged when I got the flashing programming light but it never went out so my scheme to have a cheaper albeit limited backup key is a bust.
     
  8. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    If you want to order a new silver one the part # is 89994-47061

    Champion Toyota lists it for $151.73 plus shipping (internet price), you can also google that # and find other sources for it. Get a "new" silver one and do the chicken dance routine. It should work for you and then you will have a second key fob.

    Link for Champion Toyota

    Champion Toyota Parts - Toyota World, Toyota Parts and Accessories, Champion
    Toyota Gulf Freeway Parts, Houston, Texas


    Link for Google search with listings

    Google

    Post of Prius Chat of PC member doing the chicken dance method with her "new" key fob

    New key fob question, please? | PriusChat
     
  9. Julia2001

    Julia2001 Member

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    I too have read that we cannot program the fobs with the black logo to use the SKS features.

    I personally purchased a brand new fob with the silver logo and programmed my vehicle using the chicken dance as Ron noted, (though my local Toyota dealer said it wasnt possible), and the SKS features work flawlessly.

    The dealer from whom I bought my brand new Gen II key fob / transponder / transmitter is METRO TOYOTA in Cleveland.

    The part cost $150+9.45 for shipping.

    Here is their website: Metro Toyota Scion in Cleveland, OH | New & Used Toyota Car Dealer Serving Bedford OH, Kent & Brunswick OH

    There is a another PriusChat member who also purchased a fob from Metro subsequent to my purchase, and that member also successfully self-programmed his/her vehicle to accept the new fob using the chicken dance.

    I hope this is helpful.

    Julia
     
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  10. Handygeek

    Handygeek Member

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    Just received my used key fob & new blank from REMOTEZ4LESS.

    Has anyone successfully used one of the self-programming "chicken dance" methods with one of these, pleas?
    If not, does anyone know of a friendly Dealer or Independent in Charlotte, NC, Houston, TX, Dayton, OH, or Atlanta, GA?
     
  11. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    No. To my knowledge a new key fob is required for the chicken dance (black or silver logo). I have seen many try to use a used key fob but, I have never seen or heard of a success story. The bottom line here is, if you want to program a fob (black or silver) using the chicken dance, it has to be a new fob (never used or registered).

    If someone knows different, please straighten me out but I've read over and over here that a used fob cannot be programmed by the chicken dance.
     
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  12. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    You are correct. A NEW keyfob MUST be used if the "chicken dance" is going to be attempted. A USED keyfob can ONLY be used if it is taken to someone that has "Techstream" software and the ability to use it properly.

    Ron
     
  13. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    You can reprogram a used FOB but it requires a seed reset of the system, which requires buying the latest version of HongKong-hacked techstream&mini-vci cable as well as a seed reset code from Toyota, a locksmith or via online.
     
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  14. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    So let's just put this out there for all to see.

    It is not possible to program a used keyfob using the "chicken dance" (period).

    I see this over and over where people will buy a used fob and try to program it using the chicken dance. I hope this clearly states the chicken dance can only be used to program a new fob.
     
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  15. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    Agreed. A used keyfob can only be used if "techstream" software is employed by someone who knows how to use it. The chicken dance will NOT work on a USED keyfob.

    FWIW, this question has been asked by many over and over. Research on Prius Chat is very clear on the subject. What causes the problem is the confusion over the chicken dance that other's have used on NEW keyfobs. The chicken dance will work if you succesfully do the chicken dance completely as Julia2001 proved as well as others. Furthermore, if the Prius has SKS onboard, a silver logo keyfob MUST be used if you want the SKS to work. A black logo keyfob will NOT work with SKS equipped Prius.

    I speculate it is because folks are NOT willing to pay someone to do the work properly why these post's appear over and over. As I stated several times, I used a stealer to provide me with a new fob and paid said stealer to program the fob for me. I now have two working keyfobs with SKS and NO problems. Bottom line, if you can't afford to provide keyfobs for your Prius, chances are you cannot afford to properly maintain and repair your Prius. Just my .02 worth which doesn't matter anyway. Folks are going to do what they want to, no matter what advice is given.

    Ron
     
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  16. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    If you can find a way to save money programming used fobs and that kind of stuff is fun to you then you'll have more money to spend on repairs if needed. I mean even rich people don't want to drop $300 on a spare key for a car, that's offensive, especially when there are DIY ways to do it for less than $100.

    As for people not being able to afford the cost of their car, I'd say the most irresponsible among us are the ones financing brand new cars that will lose half their value in less than a handful of years. So many people barely can make ends meet because having good credit is the kiss of death!
     
  17. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    If you watch closely, there are posters here on this board who have openly admitted they cannot afford to replace items which are clearly causing problems. Because of that, they are in reality losing money because they cannot afford to keep the car in good operating condition. Saving money is one thing, but to ignore something needing to be repaired or replaced simply because you can't afford it plainly shows that the individual should not gotten involved with the Prius in the first place.

    By the time you spend your time, effort and money to program that used keyfob in the end it would not surprise me one bit if that used keyfob ends up costing a whole lot more than a $100

    You still have to pay someone to use the Techstream software to make that used fob work. Even if you do the work yourself, there are still cost's involved for the hardware and the software as well as the learning curve.

    Ron
     
  18. h00ktern

    h00ktern Member

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    Ron, ninety-nine percent of what you assert is credible, but let me offer this:

    Charging in excess of $300-350 for a secondary SKS fob is not acceptable on many levels. If Toyota choose to protect the integrity (security) of the vehicle by instituting what has become known as "the seed reset" - then I would support them. However, when an existing working fob is present with the request, then no security issue exists because the vehicle is already fully operational. Being the case, Toyota should charge appropriately for, at worst, twenty minutes of a technician's time (and that includes about sixteen minutes of idle time waiting for the ECU to reset.)

    Does anyone feel that $100 to duplicate the emergency key is fair? Does duplicating an existing laser key result in less security for the vehicle's owner? If one key exists, does it matter if a second one is created?

    I appreciate (and am grateful) that Toyota instituted the security measures. However, I am offended and refuse to accept that a vehicle which has been purchased with my own funds, to which Toyota has no right of reclamation, is essentially being held for ransom in the event of loss, or mechanical failure of the means to enter or operate my vehicle.

    I do not, nor do I believe others, have any issue with Toyota charging a fair amount for services provided, however, leaving the charges up to each dealer to arbitrarily appraise, with no guarantee of success, or knowledge of what or how to add a new or used fob, is not an ethical practice. There is more time & work involved in duplicating the mechanical key (not from code on an automatic machine, btw) than completing the worst case scenario of a "no fob present" scenario e.g. seed reset.

    I bought a Maytag Neptune series clothes washer & dryer many years ago. Maytag released the series with a problematic "wax motor" that would fail on the washer, and subsequently blow a circuit board. On the dryer, the issue was a poorly designed seal which led to bearing failure. Would it be fair for Maytag to give carte' blanche' to their dealers' pricing of repair, or parts? Would it be acceptable for them to hold the use of your property ransom to their non-standardized profit motive?

    If one can provide lawful title to a vehicle, not just a mechanical key or fob, then Toyota should provide reasonable service to allow the owner continued use of their property. Other resourceful people have come to the same conclusion, and their solution was to develop a way for the owner to complete the task without Toyota's involvement. Ford permits me to purchase (for a reasonable cost) a new key, and then program it utilizing an existing key. Why is Toyota different?

    Safe trips,
    Dave
     
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  19. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    Dave,
    Toyota is not different. You can purchase a "new" key from Toyota and program it utilizing an existing key. It is known on here as the "chicken dance". The "seed reset" is only if you've lost all keys or buy a used key and want to use it.
     
  20. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    I do agree that the price Toyota charges is excessive. However for those who are not fortunate enough to have the ways and the means of doing the work themselves, they are forced to bow down to Toyota. Now as to why Toyota institutes these practices is a whole different playing field. Furthermore, if one was to look at it as a "hourly rate" vs actual time one will find that Toyota does have a practice of charging "book rates" rather than hourly rates for quite a few of the service's rendered. The only real option that all of us have is to either learn how to DIY or pay the piper. It is unfortunate that Toyota and other's do this sort of thing. But the reality of it is that it is a sign of the times. It boils down to greed and profit.

    You mentioned a Maytag incident. I will add one for you. I had to have a icemaker replaced on a side by side refrigerator/freezer recently. The part cost is around a benjamin (100 dollars), however the labor involved was twice that much. What do you do? Take a chance that you can get the part and install it properly and make it work or pay the piper. As I said earlier, it is a sign of the times and it boils down to greed and profitability.

    Safe trips to you too.
    Ron