StreetCreeper
New member
Couple of weeks ago I was buckling one of my kids into the backseat when he accidentally kicked my hand. Unfortunately, I had my keys in that hand and the 19 year old key fob that I had lovingly superglued and zip-tied back together — took a direct hit.
The impact pretty much exploded the key fob into multiple pieces — which promptly flew away in all directions of the cab.
After 5 minutes searching every nook and cranny, I finally reunited all the parts. Breathing a deep sigh of relief, I pressed the button to make sure it still worked...
And nothing....
Thinking maybe I had put the battery in backwards, I promptly opened it up only to find the battery was in properly.
"Ah shit..."
This was the only key fob I had! I knew from experience these things were expensive and hard to find on eBay.
After stubbornly trying every conceivable way to make it work, and even entertaining wacky ideas like wrapping it in tinfoil and whispering choice prayers — I finally gave it up for dead.
But I couldn't live with out my snazzy Toyota chirp!
So off to eBay I went...only to find that the prices were even more ridiculous than before for a near 20 year old used and often broken key fob.
I just couldn't pull the trigger on any of the fobs from eBay. No way was I going to drop $30 to $90 for a used fob from someone who didn't really know if it worked well or even worked at all. Plus I don't like spending money on used electronics.
After looking around and doing a lot of reading, I noticed all the aftermarket fobs seem completely hit or miss....ok mostly miss and I really didn't want to play the "send me a fob — I'll try it & see if it works then send it back" game with online sellers.
So I posted in the "Want to buy" section of this forum in hopes someone would want an extra $40 for giving up one of their good key fobs. I figured I could trust fellow forum members if they said the fob worked well.
Hahahahaha.....yeah, not surprisingly I didn't hear back from anyone.
So after going back and researching to see if there was a source for brand new old stock key fobs, I learned that Toyota actually makes a replacement. Wtf?
It had originally been my understanding that the 96-97 year black key fobs were the last of their kind...which is why crappy used ones went between $30 & $90 on eBay.
But no, for a replacement key fob for 1996-97 truck with the "dealer installed" RS3000 keyless remote that came with a 2 button black fob with this FCC# BAB237131-022 — you need the replacement Toyota Part# PT398-07100 which will have the FCC# BAB237131-056 Stamped on the back.
So anyways, I ordered from a place called Ezautoremote on eBay. They say this fob will work, and I decided to pay the roughly $80 to have a brand new genuine Toyota key fob.
This fob was supposed to be redesigned and is much stronger than the original style with the flimsy loop hole that breaks.
So I finally received the remote today and after following the included instructions, I first cleared all the old fobs from the alarm ECU. I then programmed the new remote in.
And it works....
Big sigh of relief and it's damn good to hear my 4Runner chirping happily again!
It's also cool to be able to chirp it from 20ft away instead of having to stand right beside it and repeatedly push the button hard until it gives up the chirp.
They also have a replacement for the 1998 and later grey key fobs too.
I know that the you can find the same fob for less at other places on eBay. However, being a bit incredulous that the fob would even work at all, I decided to pay extra and buy it from someone who specifically says it will work for my truck. The other sellers didn't say that and I felt like I might be stuck with it if it didn't work.
All is well once again...
The impact pretty much exploded the key fob into multiple pieces — which promptly flew away in all directions of the cab.
After 5 minutes searching every nook and cranny, I finally reunited all the parts. Breathing a deep sigh of relief, I pressed the button to make sure it still worked...
And nothing....
Thinking maybe I had put the battery in backwards, I promptly opened it up only to find the battery was in properly.
"Ah shit..."
This was the only key fob I had! I knew from experience these things were expensive and hard to find on eBay.
After stubbornly trying every conceivable way to make it work, and even entertaining wacky ideas like wrapping it in tinfoil and whispering choice prayers — I finally gave it up for dead.
But I couldn't live with out my snazzy Toyota chirp!
So off to eBay I went...only to find that the prices were even more ridiculous than before for a near 20 year old used and often broken key fob.
I just couldn't pull the trigger on any of the fobs from eBay. No way was I going to drop $30 to $90 for a used fob from someone who didn't really know if it worked well or even worked at all. Plus I don't like spending money on used electronics.
After looking around and doing a lot of reading, I noticed all the aftermarket fobs seem completely hit or miss....ok mostly miss and I really didn't want to play the "send me a fob — I'll try it & see if it works then send it back" game with online sellers.
So I posted in the "Want to buy" section of this forum in hopes someone would want an extra $40 for giving up one of their good key fobs. I figured I could trust fellow forum members if they said the fob worked well.
Hahahahaha.....yeah, not surprisingly I didn't hear back from anyone.
So after going back and researching to see if there was a source for brand new old stock key fobs, I learned that Toyota actually makes a replacement. Wtf?
It had originally been my understanding that the 96-97 year black key fobs were the last of their kind...which is why crappy used ones went between $30 & $90 on eBay.
But no, for a replacement key fob for 1996-97 truck with the "dealer installed" RS3000 keyless remote that came with a 2 button black fob with this FCC# BAB237131-022 — you need the replacement Toyota Part# PT398-07100 which will have the FCC# BAB237131-056 Stamped on the back.
So anyways, I ordered from a place called Ezautoremote on eBay. They say this fob will work, and I decided to pay the roughly $80 to have a brand new genuine Toyota key fob.
This fob was supposed to be redesigned and is much stronger than the original style with the flimsy loop hole that breaks.
So I finally received the remote today and after following the included instructions, I first cleared all the old fobs from the alarm ECU. I then programmed the new remote in.
And it works....
Big sigh of relief and it's damn good to hear my 4Runner chirping happily again!
It's also cool to be able to chirp it from 20ft away instead of having to stand right beside it and repeatedly push the button hard until it gives up the chirp.
They also have a replacement for the 1998 and later grey key fobs too.
I know that the you can find the same fob for less at other places on eBay. However, being a bit incredulous that the fob would even work at all, I decided to pay extra and buy it from someone who specifically says it will work for my truck. The other sellers didn't say that and I felt like I might be stuck with it if it didn't work.
All is well once again...
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