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Prius v (lowercase v for the Prius v wagon) smart Key Info

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by ovni, Sep 2, 2015.

  1. ovni

    ovni Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Sugar Land, TX
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    V
    When you go on eBay/online key store to purchase a key, you have the following options...

    NEW - Sold by online Toyota dealers and some key sellers with very high reputation!!

    "New" - Looks new so it must be...This is an idiot seller trying to steal from you. Most likely key was already programmed to another vehicle.

    Re-manufactured - Someone adds a new uncut key blade and new battery and jacks up price for a used item.

    Virgin key - This is a used key that has had the memory flashed. Will work the same as a NEW key.

    Used - Previously programmed to another vehicle


    1) Pretty much any locksmith and ALL Toyota dealerships can program NEW/Virgin key.

    2) Used, most dealers will not touch and only a few locksmith know the proper way of programming them, or do not have the right equipment to do it. Requires the smart key ECU to be erased and then reprogrammed with your original key and the used key you purchased.

    **If your Smart key ECU detects any error, you will not be able to add any keys after erasure**
    You will be stuck with a car with no keys. Have only seen this once and it was a salvage title car that had front door replaced from a crash.

    Battery used is CR1632
    FCC# HYQ14ACX
    FCC# HYQ14AAB("E" Board) **EXTREMELY RARE!!!!* Have seen two Prius use this.

    The key with an A/C button is for some plug-ins and the models with solar roof.
    You can add an A/C button key to a car thats not plug-in or solar. Button will not do anything.


    Many places will NOT program a key bought somewhere else whether its new, virgin, used, etc...
    Why is that you ask...
    Simple...They lose money not selling you the key themselves.

    Emergency Key
    "Laser Cut Keys" - No such thing. It's a term started by dealers in order to charge more money. Make it seem like they are using a special machine to cut it. The proper term is Sidewinder cut or High security cut.
    Several sellers on eBay offer cutting services if you have your key code.

    This is how you get your key code. All Toyota/Lexus/Scion Smart equipped vehicles use the same step in video.
    The tip of the screw driver is TORX??. Don't recall number, a flat hand that fit in grooves should also work



    All PriusV 2012 to 2015 key code starts with 4

    So your code should be 4####

    If you bought car new, you should have your code on a metal tag.
    If you don't want to hassle taking lock out. Go to your Toyota dealer with your ID/Registration(must match) and they will give you code for free.


    Time to complete work(with emergency key cut)
    - Used Key, About 20 minutes total to set up equipment, cut and program key
    - New/Virgin Key, About 5 minutes total to set up equipment, cut and program key

    Time to complete work(without emergency key cut)
    - Used Key, About 20 minutes total to set up equipment and program key
    - New/Virgin Key, About 2 minutes total to set up equipment and program key


    Question I get the most... COST?
    Price vary a lot....

    Dealers...If your buying key and programming from them, call around. Each dealer has a different price. Specify that You want a TOTAL OTD price for Smart key, programming, emergency key and cut. Always get the name of the person you talk to. Some places will quote you the price of the key alone. You drive there and then are thrown in cutting and programming fee.
    If you want to bring your own key, NEW, virgin or used...let dealer know...most will clearly tell you they wont do it over the phone. If they say they will only take a New key, your safe to bring a NEW or virgin key.

    Locksmith...If your buying key and programming from them, call around. Each locksmith has a different price. Specify that You want a TOTAL OTD price for Smart key, programming, emergency key and cut. Always get the name of the person you talk to.
    If you are bringing your own key, specify to locksmith whether its NEW/Virgin or Used. This makes a big difference in time and "should" make a difference with price.

    Bootleg software... I've heard of people buying boot leg cables/software and doing it themselves. Ive heard of people paying their buddy with beer for a key... I don't use that illegal software on my customers cars as I don't want to take a risk. Haven't heard any negative stories...but don't want to be the first.


    **Have programmed over 300 Toyota/Lexus smart key vehicles**
    Any info you want added...just let me know.
     
    michigangator likes this.
  2. HGS

    HGS Member

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    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I bought a new key fob online from Toyota for $130, and programmed it myself. I called Pop-A-Lock and the guy showed up at my house and make a new door key. He practiced making the right cut on several keys using the key code. He gave me all his practice keys. So, for $100 he made me 4 keys. One key is only one sided, the others work on both sides. I have 2 regular looking keys and 3 key fob inserts.

    I think I'm all set for door keys.

    I agree, don't buy used key fobs. Too much hassle to save maybe $50 if you're lucky, if you're not lucky it will cost more then a new key. Buying a cable from China has its risks. Downloading hacked software has risks also. Need to be very computer savy.

    It's easy to call your local locksmith and they come to you and make a new door key and program a new key fob.
     
    #2 HGS, Sep 2, 2015
    Last edited: Sep 2, 2015
  3. ovni

    ovni Member

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    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    V
    $100 for two working keys...and he's practicing on your car...Yikes!!
    They should of done it for FREE. When I test equipment/supplies on a customers car, I do work 100% free.

    If you don't believe me....PM and I will send you a link to the equipment/parts I need testing for and clearly indicate they are free....Part and programming. ;-)
     
    #3 ovni, Sep 2, 2015
    Last edited: Sep 3, 2015
  4. HGS

    HGS Member

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    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Two

    The locksmith was very good. His battery/inverter in his van gave him trouble. So, the keys were not cutting correctly at first. I was only asking for one door key, but in the end he gave me four keys.

    At the time, this was the easiest way to get door keys. I didn't know of any online options. I know blank keys only cost about $5. Someone could make a few bucks cutting keys with the key code and mailing them. This sounds like what you're doing.

    If I would have known about your service, I would have used it.

    Cheers!
     
  5. ovni

    ovni Member

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    V
    Ohh, OK. I thought he was practicing with your car.
     
  6. LDB

    LDB Member

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    Location:
    Friendswood (Houston south suburb)
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    So there are only 10,000 possible codes for how many thousands of cars?
     
  7. ovni

    ovni Member

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    V
    Correct...The Prius v Prius 10+, Lexus from about 2002-2009, All Toyota smart keys with HYQ14AAB...

    All above use the 4#### series.
     
    #7 ovni, Sep 3, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 10, 2015
  8. michigangator

    michigangator Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Caledonia, MI
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    2014 Prius v 3. Wife put our spare smart key fob on the hood along with the garage door opener. I don't know why, but she must have needed to move the car around in the garage or driveway or something...and placed them there while she did whatever else she needed to do. Anyway, I drove off later using my key fob. Items on the hood slid off without my knowing they were ever there. So far the garage door opener has been recovered by a neighbor, but the key fob is lost. I have read related threads and have questions. Do I need a cable to connect the car to a laptop in order to program a new or virgin key? Is this easily done? Can I do it, should a locksmith do this, or MUST I take the car to a Toyota dealer? What is the best recommended course of action? This is not critical yet as we do have my working fob...we simply have lost the back up. Thx for any suggestions, advice, etc. I appreciate having access to this forum. Brian in Caledonia, MI
     
  9. LDB

    LDB Member

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    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I bought the Prius yesterday and surprise, my key/fob number starts with a 4. :eek:
     
  10. HGS

    HGS Member

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    I bought a new key fob from Toyota (online $130). Bought a cable on Amazon from China ($20?) and downloaded the software onto a windows xp laptop. Programmed it myself.

    You could call a locksmith to come to your house. Will probably cost $200 - $300 (a guess). You may want a new door key, and that is extra.

    If you lose your only key fob then you are talking really big bucks. The locksmith can come to your car and program new key fobs and cut new door keys. Keep your door key code handy. With the code available, the locksmith can cut a new key before opening the door. Otherwise he will need to "break in to you car" and take the door lock apart to find the door code. A dealer can cut a new door key using your VIN#.

    Or you could have your car towed to the dealer, and it's big big bucks.

    Talk with OP about a door key. He can help you.
     
    #10 HGS, Sep 6, 2015
    Last edited: Sep 6, 2015
  11. ovni

    ovni Member

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    Location:
    Sugar Land, TX
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    V
    You can try yourself with bootleg software and you must buy a new or virgin key if you choose to do this.
    ***Im not saying you go buy bootleg software, you did not get that recommendation from me.***

    You can buy a used key about $45 to $80 on ebay and find a locksmith that knows how to reset your ECU in order to add used keys. Call around as most will not do this.

    The little key you can get cut from the many sellers on ebay that provide code cutting.
     
  12. atsang

    atsang Junior Member

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    Location:
    austin
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    A local locksmith says he can come to me and provide a 2nd extra key programmed and cut for $220. Seems like a pretty good deal?
     
  13. HGS

    HGS Member

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    I think you found a good deal. Just to buy an unprogrammed new fob from Toyota is $130, without a door key. I had a locksmith come to my house just to cut a door key and it was $100. Total, I paid $250 doing it myself. My one advantage is I now have the cable and laptop program to do all the testing and maintenance that the dealer can do going forward.

    You found no hassle one stop shopping. I would go for it. Good luck.
     
  14. PvPDX

    PvPDX Junior Member

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    Location:
    Portland Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    I have a 2015 v 5 atp model. It came with one three button fob. Was a four button for this car that can open the rear hatch ever available?