Immobilizer / key problem?

[02rogerrhino]

I have a 2002 Sport Edition.

I lost the keys to my car after getting too drunk on New Year's Eve. I didn't have a spare and because it was the holiday I had to wait a couple days before I could get another key made. By the time I finally did, my car had been broken into and the ignition was completely destroyed. So losing my keys ended up costing $1,800. My finally picked the car up from the dealership yesterday and drove it home and everything was fine. When I went to her house today to pick it up, it wouldn't start. The key turns and all of the accessories and everything even turn on, but the engine won't start. I'm guessing it's a problem with the immobilizer? The ajar door icon also flashes whenever I open the door and get in, as well as the blinkers and the anti-theft light.

The key that I lost was just a metal key that didn't even have any black on it, though, so I'm confused. Anyway, I have no idea what to do and it's soooooooo frustrating to pay $1,800 and be excited to finally get my car back only to have it not start when I turn the key. The service department at the dealership was closed today, but someone else at the dealership acted like they were positive it was a problem with the battery. But, the battery is only a couple months old and I tried jumpstarting it just to be sure that wasn't it, and it wasn't.

I'm guessing I'll just have to wait until Monday to call the dealer, but if anyone has any ideas about what I could do I would appreciate it so, so much.

 

[spo0587]

I'm not sure about your model, but I have a 2003 SR5. When I bought mine, the individual only gave me one key so I had to get another one made asap. If I were to have lost that one key, they would have to install a new immobilizer and get me new keys with the new programmed codes. I hear its very expensive! Several thousand! Anyways, off to the Toyota stealership to get another one made. They had to have my master key to pull the code from and make a new master key. The other key is just a valet ket, unlocks car and allows you to use accessory, but not start the car. The master will start (because it matches the code to your immobilizer) and unlocks your glove box. Did they replace the immobilizer? If they did not, your key code/immobilizer may not be matching.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

This is purely speculative

 

[toto]

A more basic question - did the key you lost (the plain metal one) start the car? If it did, then you don't have an immobilizer. I know the immobilizer has been standard since 2003, but I don't know if the 2002 had it.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I think higher trim levels may or may not have had the Immobilizer beginning in '01. If your 4Runner is a "sport edition" that's an add-on to the Limited package you probably have it.

Toto may be on to something... Because your year could be equipped either way maybe the dealer put one in:bash:. If the immobilizer model part was readily available and the non-immobilizer model wasn't easily available to the dealer they may have added it. I hope that's not the case for your sake.

 

[00328]

Why would the vehicle start when picking it up at the dealer and then not start later at home??

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Why would the vehicle start when picking it up at the dealer and then not start later at home??

You're right. Some how my brain fabricated that he found and was trying to start off of one of his old keys:bash: Bad brain!