adding a remote and getting at the ecu

[tns1]

Success!

I traced the piezo wires to the firewall and back down to the driver kick panel.
I could see they spiced into the bundle running along the door and to the seat.

I found the RS3000 ECU UNDERNEATH the carpet under the seat. I guess I should have felt around for the 'bump'.

The correct programming sequence I used is:
1) open drivers door
2) insert key and turn to 'ON'
3) hold down the green ECU button until the security LED lights up (but keep pressing). You will hear some relays cycling and probably the piezo will chirp (mine is disabled).
4) while still holding the ECU button down, press the remote top button. The relays/piezo will cycle once if success, twice if failure.
5) release the ECU button, turn the key off, remove it, and close the door.

I repeated the entire process for both remotes and they both work now.
If you don't keep pressing the ECU button in step 4, it seems to erase all codes and even previously working remotes will no longer work.

Now that I look at the official instructions again, it does say to keep holding the ECU button. I missed that.

Thanks for the patience.

 

[mkvette]

1999 4runner ecu

Just purchased a 1999 4runner 2 weeks ago. It only came with 1 key and remote. I purchased an aftermarket remote on EBay, and have to program it by pushing the green button on the ecu. Everything I read said it was under the seat, including the instructions that came with the remote. It also said if the ecu isn't under the seat to call Toyota.
Anyway after 7 hours of searching I found it.
It's under the dash on the left towards the front of the truck (drivers side). It's surrounded by s bunch of other wires.
I'm just mentioning it because I see others are having trouble finding it too.
Now I just have to get it out (it's crammed in), and try the remote.
Hope this works!

 

[vthokie]

Where did you find out what remote you needed to get? I've heard there is a specifid ID number that it needs to work. I recently purchased an 01 4runner and it didnt come with a key fob, id like to add one but dont know what one to purchase.

 

[mkvette]

I got it from EBay. I just searched for 1999 4runner remote.
It's not the factory one, but the sellers posting said it's made for this specific vehicle. I just liked the way it looked.
If it works I'll let you know.

 

[Tanner444]

When you pull the glove box, you can see the end of the ECM, which covered with connectors and wire harness. There is no button. It is similar looking to the RS3000 picture - an aluminum box about 1.5" x 5" x 7" or so looking at the end - but that was just a drawing anyway, so I'm not sure how accurate it is. I cannot see either side of the ECM unless I remove it. Like I say, that may mean unplugging it, removing the box, plugging it in temporarily while its out, then reinstalling it.

Hard to believe your ltd would be so different from mine. Is there anything that tells me what box I am looking at?

Your vehicle's ECU is behind the glove compartment; your keyless entry ECU is under your driver's seat. I am certain about this. You do not want to mess around with the vehicle's ECU found behind the glove. That's the wrong ECU.

 

[rjaudi]

If you have a 96-98 you have rs3000 2 button remote and the 99-02 has a 3 button remote with rear window roll down. The rs3000 is the box under the seat. The 99 and up rs3200 is inside the dash and the keyless was then installed at the factory. The rs3200 is the ecu you do the crazy steps to get it to work. The rs3000 is the only one you find the ecu and hit the green button.

 

[tns1]

Your vehicle's ECU is behind the glove compartment; your keyless entry ECU is under your driver's seat. I am certain about this. You do not want to mess around with the vehicle's ECU found behind the glove. That's the wrong ECU.

Yes, if you saw post #21 you see I did find it.

For future reference, the ECM or 'Engine Control Module' reads the oxygen and temperature sensors and controls the fuel injection, idle speed, etc. You would only mess with it if you had engine problems. The box is silver metal about 1" thick and sits behind the glove box on my 1998 4runner. A few years ago I had my dash apart and removed it and sprayed contact cleaner on the connectors. I had an unrelated smog failure and thought it wouldn't hurt. The ECM and its location are described in detail in the Haynes manual.

All the other boxes in the car like the RS3000 are generically called ECUs or 'Electronic Control Units'. The RS3000 ECU is black plastic about 1.5" thick and is clearly marked 'RS3000'. On my car it was hidden under the carpet under the driver seat. There is a depression in the floor pan right there so it was not so obvious. The RS3000 is an add-on and does not appear in the Haynes manual.

 

[Qyota]

To clarify, both the RS3000 and RS3200 were the "dealer-installed" options. They both have the two-button remote which is most likely gray in color (black buttons) with a red LED.

There was also a "factory-installed" option, which had the black 3-button remotes (rear window). There is no "black box" for these, as there is for the RS systems. The 99+ keyless entry is an integrated system, and the ignition key cylinder then came with an optional engine immobilizer circuit that used the chipped key to allow ignition.

Programming for RS and non-RS systems is quite different.

 

[ceebs40]

If you have a 96-98 you have rs3000 2 button remote and the 99-02 has a 3 button remote with rear window roll down. The rs3000 is the box under the seat.

Just wanted to clarify this. I've got a 99' and it has the rs3000 alarm model w/3 button remote (lock,unlock,rear window) not rs3200. I think the rs3200 is for 00-02. I've been trying to program/re-program the fob. Only lock works on remote. Will continue to research...

 

[Qyota]

Just wanted to clarify this. I've got a 99' and it has the rs3000 alarm model w/3 button remote (lock,unlock,rear window) not rs3200. I think the rs3200 is for 00-02. I've been trying to program/re-program the fob. Only lock works on remote. Will continue to research...

Unless you have an RS3000 box under your driver seat, you have the factory-installed alarm with the 3-button remote. All RS3000 and RS3200 alarms had the 2-button remotes (gray or black, depending).

 

[1bad4r]

Hate to resurrect this thread but on the rs3000 ecu what is the green button you guys are talking about to program it? I don't see a button on mine

 

[rjaudi]

It is on the outside of the alarm ecu under the driver seat.

 

[1bad4r]

It is on the outside of the alarm ecu under the driver seat.

Do I have to stick a paper clip or something inside the hole?