Ignition key broken

[rdracer66]

Tried doing a search and came up empty.
The black plastic part around my Ignition key cracked a couple years back and it would not stay on the key chain with my fob for opening doors/alarm. I started just melting it closed with a lighter. Well it finally broke so bad I now have to replace it. My question is other than going to the dealer where could I purchase the black plastic part and what's a good way of getting the key out of the black plastic part and putting it into a new one.

 

[541joseph]

What year and model do you have?

 

[rdracer66]

What year and model do you have?

I have a 2001 SR5 Sport

 

[541joseph]

So you have the key that has to match your ecu I'm guessing. If that's the case you but the key online and then pay the dealer to program it. It should still save you about 100 buck on average. I know my friends mom has lost her land cruiser key several times and she's found the key for half the price online.

 

[I'mStock]

Toyota Just recently lowered the prices on all of their keys, transmitter versions included. If you feel comfortable PM'ing me your VIN, I'll price on out for you.

 

[I'mStock]

So you have the key that has to match your ecu I'm guessing. If that's the case you but the key online and then pay the dealer to program it. It should still save you about 100 buck on average. I know my friends mom has lost her land cruiser key several times and she's found the key for half the price online.

Gotta be careful going this route, more often than not I see "eBay keys" come in to be cut and programmed but the techs aren't able to get the transmitter to communicate with the vehicle.

 

[541joseph]

I don't recommend eBay. And even if you do do ebay just be careful and get it programmed ASAP so if there's a problem eBay will back you up.

 

[rdracer66]

I can start the truck just fine, the key works it's just the black plastic part that goes around the key that I want to replace so I can put it back on my key chain. I don't think I have to replace the whole key do I ?

 

[I'mStock]

Yes, you do. Toyota doesn't sell the black plastic separately, unless it's a fob key with integrated buttons.

 

[rdracer66]

Well that is a bummer to say the least!
I'mstock I'll ping you my vin and see how costly this debacle is going to be.

 

[541joseph]

You can always leave the transmitter in the car and just drill a hole in the key part or have a new regular key made.

 

[rdracer66]

Not sure what you mean by leave transmitter in the car, but I do like the idea of drilling a hole in the key for the time being. Best I can tell this is just a normal key there is nothing special about it. I do have that fob that has the alarm/ door locking buttons on it but that is separate from the key that starts the truck.

 

[541joseph]

Can you post a picture of the key? I'm pretty sure most of the sports came with transmitters in the keys. Post a picture of the black part if you can

 

[rdracer66]

unfortunately I do not have the ability to post a picture at this time. I have a spare key that I keep under the car that does start and open all the doors and it does not have the plastic part on it and looks like your basic key. I might just start to use that one until I can get a replacement with the black plastic. I honestly don't care what it looks like as long as it works and it's on my main key chain so it does not get lost.

 

[I'mStock]

PO pm'd me his VIN, he should be squared away with a $13 OEM key blank and a nominal cutting fee.

Visually, the only way to tell a transmitter key from a regular blank is the key's width. The part number prefix is different between the two but that's something else entirely.

Transmitter > regular > Sharpie

FYI, like I said earlier, Toyota cheapened their keys quite a bit ($30 on average.) A run of the mill transmitter key now goes for $30-$40 at our dealership. Add on the cutting key and programming fee of course but still, cheaper than they used to be.

 

[rdracer66]

Thanks Tyler, Think i'll swap out my backup key that I can use on the keychain for time being. I'll see how much my local dealer charges me and go from there. Thanks all for the help.

 

[TheDurk]

Thanks Tyler, Think i'll swap out my backup key that I can use on the keychain for time being. I'll see how much my local dealer charges me and go from there. Thanks all for the help.

Since no chip, you can just take your backup key to a hardware store and get copies for $6 or so. It won't say Toyota, but it can have a plastic head and work just fine.

 

[541joseph]

Wow that's way cheaper than they used to be. And honestly you don't have to get a toyota key you local lock smith shop should have a blank key and cut it for you for about 5

 

[I'mStock]

Blank, metal keys are gross.

Plastic and branded for life.

 

[tenro1]

I have the same vehicle, yr make model, and I also have the same problem with the key with the black plastic top - the part across the top of the key is broken and therefore I can't put it on the keychain. Key came that way from the dealer when I bought it.

I have been using the backup key on my keychain with the separate fob, and stored the primary key at the house.

ImStock, my understanding is there is a functional difference between the primary and backup keys, but the only difference I find is that you cannot lock or unlock the glove compartment with the backup. Are there any other differences? If so, making copies will not necessarily resolve the entire problem.