Replacement Ignition Keys

wedweb · « **on:** 30 Apr 2012, 05:02 pm »

I need to replace my ingition keys for my Toyota 2000 Avalon and 2007 Sienna. These have the chips. The dealer wants $313.20 for just the two keys. Any options?

youravhandyman · « **Reply #1 on:** 30 Apr 2012, 05:27 pm »

This will be right up Bob's alley but I was complaining about the cost of a key for my PT cruiser being $179 from the dealer. Locksmith said he could get it for me for $50. So you might try a locksmith.
Hopefully it wasn't just because it was a Chrysler.

mitch stl · « **Reply #2 on:** 30 Apr 2012, 05:53 pm »

Check eBay. A few years back we had to replace the remote on my wife's VW Beetle and found one on eBay for a fraction of the dealer's price. It came with programming instructions and worked fine. Don't know if Toyota works the same way, but it's worth checking.

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #3 on:** 30 Apr 2012, 09:25 pm »

Some cars have to be programmed by the dealer, or a locksmith. Not sure about these particular cars though. Also, with some cars, once their keys have been programmed, they can never be programmed to another car. So be careful buying used keys, or even keys from the internet claiming they're new. Check a locksmith though, that's your second best option.

Bob

goldlizsts · « **Reply #4 on:** 1 May 2012, 12:39 am »

Quote from: Bob in St. Louis on 30 Apr 2012, 09:25 pm

Some cars have to be programmed by the dealer, or a locksmith. Not sure about these particular cars though. Also, with some cars, once their keys have been programmed, they can never be programmed to another car. So be careful buying used keys, or even keys from the internet claiming they're new. Check a locksmith though, that's your second best option.

Bob

I thought you will not be able to get replacement keys from the local locksmith when my key has that remote control for opening and locking the car doors... You can get a key made to just open the door perhaps, but not the ignition because the key has a code that activates the ignition... That's why they are so damn expensive because that's like proprietary. Is that so? I'm not sure.

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #5 on:** 1 May 2012, 01:32 pm »

Not to be vague, but "yes and no"......
I work at a dealer that sells Volvo and Saab. The Volvo keys, for instance, are indeed proprietary. However, there is one locksmith in St. Louis that has paid Volvo (corporate) to have the ability ("license"?) to program and reprogram the keys. He purchased the hardware and periodically comes into our dealership to hook his hardware to ours to download software from Volvo Corporate.

So just because one locksmith says it's not possible, doesn't mean the next guy in the phone doesn't have the ability. Check the prices first though. That locksmith paid a premium to have that ability. He's going to recoup that money as soon as he can.

Bob

martyo · « **Reply #6 on:** 1 May 2012, 01:53 pm »

I was just in an Ace yesterday getting some keys and they offered the service. For my '08 Camry it would have been $120. I'm in Illinois.

wedweb · « **Reply #7 on:** 2 May 2012, 02:48 am »

I got one done at Metro Lock & Security in Granite City. My keys don't need the code machine, just the top secret procedure of pushing pedals etc....the keys are ilco and their website states the procedure. They have the keys for $30 and programming for $35. That programming is the ilco procedure. Tomorrow I will buy the van key and do the programming myself.

Thank you for your responses.

Bo