2008 Key Fob Programming

Duhkote · Jun 2, 2022

Hi all,

Longtime lurker but finally made an account! I've been dealing with trying to program a new key fob for my '08 Prius and it's not working. I've done it before which is why I am so confused.

I was able to get the lock/unlock function to work on the new fob, but when I try to program the start/stop function (doing the chicken dance of inserting the key 5 times, open/close the door 6 times, etc.), when I insert the new key fob the anti-theft light blinks 5 times (twice, then 3 afterwards) for a minute or so and then it starts flashing once intermittently. Unfortunately, the new key fob will not start the car.

Any advice on if I can fix this? Thanks in advance!

dolj · Jun 2, 2022

Have you read the entire 'Chicken Dance' thread? I'm sure somewhere towards the end of that thread there are a few variations to try.

Be aware that some variations might do 'the erase all keys except this key' function, plus there is information on how to decode the various feedback flash sequences. For example, one sequence tells you all key slots are used, so cannot add a new key.

This information has been documented on PriusChat within the Gen 2 section, so search is your friend.

Duhkote · Jun 2, 2022

dolj said: ↑

Have you read the entire 'Chicken Dance' thread? I'm sure somewhere towards the end of that thread there are a few variations to try.

Be aware that some variations might do 'the erase all keys except this key' function, plus there is information on how to decode the various feedback flash sequences. For example, one sequence tells you all key slots are used, so cannot add a new key.

This information has been documented on PriusChat within the Gen 2 section, so search is your friend.
Click to expand...

I read a few threads but maybe not as extensively as I should've... Would it be in my best interested to do the "erase all keys except this one" sequence and then add the other key in? I'm struggling to find information on the flash sequences so I'm not sure what it's trying to tell me lol.

I did see the former but was hesitant to do anything that would effectively make my car unusable

Duhkote · Jun 2, 2022

Hi all,

First off, I want to thank dolj for their insight -- your advice set me in the right direction! I am going to compile the relevant resources I found in this thread so that anyone googling similar stuff as me will find it all in one place:

For anyone wondering if they hit the 5 limit key in the 2nd gen Prius, it will flash 5 times (twice, then 3 very quickly afterwards). Helpful post from Dolj once again explaining it:

dolj said: ↑

Is the light blinking 5 times then a slight pause then 5 times ... etc?

If so, you have the maximum 5 keys programmed. You need to do the "Chicken Dance" variation to "forget all keys except this one" then start again with Procedure A. Lookup posts by @Okie-Steve for further guidance.
Click to expand...

Now that that is established, here is what you do:

Okie-Steve said: ↑

I can confirm that the chicken dance like procedure to make my SKS car forget all the other transponder key fobs works!

I confirmed that both my silver logo and pseudo-black (no) logo fobs started the car in the slot.

Then using the silver logo fob I inserted and removed it in the slot multiple times, leaving it in after the 6th insertion then I opened and closed the driver door 7 times and removed the fob from the slot.

The no logo fob was no longer recognized and would not start the car in the slot.

Next I used the original chicken dance (first part only) and the silver logo fob to add back the no logo fob transponder.

Both fobs worked to start the car again in the slot.

I think this would be a useful procedure D to add to the sticky original chicken dance post

This car came with no keys and I have not explored smart entry yet, I was happy to be able to create and copy working transponders so I could start it and work on it. More to follow . . .
Click to expand...

In other words, you will:

Remove and insert the key 6 times, leaving it in on the 6th insertion

Open and close your door 7 times

Wait a second or two and remove the key from the slot

From there, only that key will be able to start/stop the car and lock/unlock it

LASTLY, you will follow the steps in this thread (I did Procedures A and C because I have a non-SKS Prius, but you may need to do Procedure B depending on what you're doing). I have also included them below for ease of use.

usnavystgc said: ↑

Action steps are BOLD

PROCEDURE A
This procedure (steps 1. through 5.) is to be used for both the black and chrome logo key fob. This will program the fob to Start/stop engine while it is inserted into the key port. All new fobs should be programmed for this regardless of logo or SKS functionality
-------------------
1. Get into the car, close and unlock all doors and ensure the car is off
2. Insert old fob (your fob that currently works) into slot and remove it 4 times in a row, and insert it a fifth time but leave it in there!
2. Open and close driver door 6 times.
3. Remove old fob from slot. Car is in fob programming mode at this point. Red anti-theft light remains on.
4. Insert new fob and leave in the slot for a full minute. Watch the blinking red anti-theft light on the dashboard. When it stops flashing and goes dark, your new fob is all set.
5. Remove the new fob and you're done with the START/STOP portion of programming ( if you have SKS, proceed to PROCEDURE B don't have SKS, proceed to PROCEDURE C).

PROCEDURE B
This procedure (steps 1. through 10.) is for chrome logo key fobs and vehicles with SKS functionality

Lock/unlock doors remotely + SMART KEY functionality
--------------------
1. Open the driver door and leave it open with no fob in slot (ensure the driver door is unlocked). Other doors can be locked or unlocked, it doesn't matter.
Complete step 2 within 5 seconds
2. Insert old fob into slot and remove it twice.
Complete steps 3. and 4. within 40 seconds of completing step 2.

3. Close and open driver door twice.
4. Insert and remove old fob once.
Complete steps 5., 6., 7. and 8. within 40 seconds of completing step 4.
5. Close and open driver door twice again.
6. Insert old fob in slot and close door.
7. Without pressing the brake, press power button, wait a second, press it again, wait a second, press it a third time to turn car back off.
8. Remove old fob from slot. You'll be in "add mode" at this point. Within 3 seconds, the car should lock and unlock doors to verify it is in add mode. (the precise number of times the car locks/unlocks the door is model specific - but it should do it at least once). If it does not cycle the locks, return to step 1. otherwise proceed to step 9.

Steps 9.a. and 9.b. should be started within 40 seconds of completing step 8.
9a: Press and hold the Lock and Unlock key (simultaneously) on the OLD/MASTER fob. (a couple of seconds should pass and the locks will cycle once. If you do not get this cycle, it is likely due to a weak CR 2032 battery in your fob. Replace the battery in your old fob and try again).
9b: Press both the Lock and Unlock key (simultaneously) on the NEW fob. Hold for about 1.5 seconds (several users have reported it being necessary to execute this step twice, if your first go around does not indicate success, try it again and execute this step twice. Please post what worked in the comments below).
9c: Within three seconds, press the lock key on the NEW fob. If successful the lock/unlock will cycle once indicating success (It may take a while for the lock/unlock cycle. I've seen it happen just as I was ready to say, "well, it didn't work". If you wait for a long time (a long time being more than a minute) and get no cycle at all, complete step 10. and test to see if the SKS functions of your new fob work. If they do, pls report that on this thread).
9d. - If you need or want to program another "new" fob, repeat steps 9. a. 9.b. and 9.c. for the next new fob. If done programming fobs, proceed to step 10.
10. To end this programming, open then close the driver's door or put the fob in the slot.

PROCEDURE C
This procedure (steps 1. through 13.) is for black logo key fobs and vehicles without SKS functionality

1. Open the driver door with no fob in slot and the doors unlocked.
2. Insert old fob into slot and remove it twice within 5 seconds.
3. Close and open driver door twice.
4. Insert and remove old fob once.
5. Close and open driver door twice again.
6. Insert old fob in slot and close door.
7. Without pressing the brake, press power button, wait a second, press it again, wait a second, press it a third time to turn car back off.
8. Remove old fob from slot. You'll be in "add mode" at this point.
9. Car should lock and unlock doors twice to verify it is in add mode.
10. Press and hold both buttons on new fob simultaneously for a second and a half.
11. Within 3 seconds, press just the lock button on new fob.
12. Car should respond with one quick lock/unlock to verify that the new fob is all set. If the car responds with two lock/unlocks, that means it didn't work. Either try again, your fob is bad or, you have too many fobs assigned to the car.
13. To end this programming, open then close the driver's door or put fob in the slot.
Click to expand...

2008 Key Fob Programming

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2008 Key Fob Programming

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