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Regarding OBDII Key Fob Programming Devices

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by jimolson, Apr 13, 2024.

  1. jimolson

    jimolson Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2006
    135
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    Location:
    Indianapolis, USA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    I'd like to pair a new, virgin Toyota SKS key fob to work with my 2010 Prius. By SKS I mean the vehicle version with keyless entry and keyless start.

    My reading shows that the chicken dance protocol that I used to introduce new key fobs to my Gen 2 Prius will not work with a Gen 3 vehicle. It appears that Toyota post-Gen 2 wants to reserve this process for its dealers or licensed locksmiths who possess an authorized Techstream device.

    Random short-term DIY users of Techstream are screened out by not having genuine locksmith credentials.

    On EBay and Amazon I see sub $100 DIY programming devices that attach to the vehicle through its OBDII port.

    Anyone have experience with these DIY programming tools and know if they work? Which one?

    Alternatively, can I DM anyone near Indianapolis who will match a new fob to a Gen 3 for less than the dealer?
     
  2. Eddie25

    Eddie25 Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2018
    387
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    Location:
    IL
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Many people including myself have been able to program keys on gen3 with Techstream.

    There is a scenario where you seem to be in Techstream, but it's not giving you full access to everything, as though it's a demo version or something. That happened to me last time I tried to program a key (even after using it successfully in the past). I was able to find a different (newer) version that worked, but I was getting a countdown about how many times I could use it.

    The after-market programming devices should work (I've also used an X-tool D8) if they are legit... BUT there's a new thing I've been hearing about where the NHSTA is making it so that essentially the layman can't program keys anymore. I hear it's applying to even updates of scan tools that can already do that and that it was going to be implemented fairly quickly. I'm not sure the validity of this, but it's something to keep in mind.