Odd question about keys for original owners

When I got mine the original owner had the 3 keys it came with... Black plastic, metal, and valet metal.

When I got my oil changed a couple months ago the dealer broke the top plastic of my key and replaced it with two for free.
 
Not the original owner but I got two keys per set. One works the doors and one works the ignition. Only the ignition key has black plastic on it
 
So I'm curious I've only got the grey valet key for my 99 with the immobilizer. Now if I get a black key blank with the chip and get it cut and programmed (cloned at lock smith) will it basically just be a black valet key? Is the only way to get another master key to get a whole new computer and everything?

new chipped key cut by dealer was $40. '99 LTD. programmed it myself: Programming transponder key 1999 4runner - YotaTech Forums
 
Yeah 2 original black keys for me
When mines broke I brought in my registration and got an oem all metal cut at the dealership no more problems. They will even give you the key code if you want
 
Only problem is I don't have the master key only the valet key

You need a master key to make any more keys that will start the truck (if you have the engine immobilizer) I went through this last year when I got my 2000 LTD. Only thing to do is go to Toyota and they reprogram the computer and recut 2 keys (yes they told me it had to be two keys.) The dealership I went to made it sound like they were doing me a favor. They sold it as a "one time discounted reprogram" and it was either that or replace the whole computer. Really?? So if I came here again because I lost my keys or they were damaged somehow (fire?) I would be SOL and I would have to buy the $1000 computer? Ok whatever.... I hate dealerships!!
I paid $300 for the service.
 
Only problem is I don't have the master key only the valet key

Thank You, Toyota, for the warrantied ECM/ECU (99 4Runner) - YotaTech Forums

You need a master key to make any more keys that will start the truck (if you have the engine immobilizer) I went through this last year when I got my 2000 LTD. Only thing to do is go to Toyota and they reprogram the computer and recut 2 keys (yes they told me it had to be two keys.) The dealership I went to made it sound like they were doing me a favor. They sold it as a "one time discounted reprogram" and it was either that or replace the whole computer. Really?? So if I came here again because I lost my keys or they were damaged somehow (fire?) I would be SOL and I would have to buy the $1000 computer? Ok whatever.... I hate dealerships!!
I paid $300 for the service.
read link above. sounds like $300 w/2 keys is pretty reasonable. Seems like maybe they (or Toyota) were doing you a favor.
 
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Yeah 2 original black keys for me
When mines broke I brought in my registration and got an oem all metal cut at the dealership no more problems. They will even give you the key code if you want

My original Toyota key chain has a metal tag with the key code on it.
 
Thank You, Toyota, for the warrantied ECM/ECU (99 4Runner) - YotaTech Forums


read link above. sounds like $300 w/2 keys is pretty reasonable. Seems like maybe they (or Toyota) were doing you a favor.

Yes you're right but why wouldn't they be able to reprogram it any time instead of making it sound like a one time only deal? Those were their exact words. I just thought it was strange.

Also, they didn't replace my ECM like the person in the link had done. Only reprogrammed the ECM in it, which going by that link, means that the ECM has been replaced before.
 
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You guys know that whenever you are in a bind and your chipped key broke and all you have is the metal valet key. You can still start the car by putting the valet key in the ignition and holding the head of the broken key (plastic part) next to the key in the ignition and start the truck. Yes it's not something you want to do all he time, but it's a trick that will get you on the road and moving.
 
You need a master key to make any more keys that will start the truck (if you have the engine immobilizer) I went through this last year when I got my 2000 LTD. Only thing to do is go to Toyota and they reprogram the computer and recut 2 keys (yes they told me it had to be two keys.) The dealership I went to made it sound like they were doing me a favor. They sold it as a "one time discounted reprogram" and it was either that or replace the whole computer. Really?? So if I came here again because I lost my keys or they were damaged somehow (fire?) I would be SOL and I would have to buy the $1000 computer? Ok whatever.... I hate dealerships!!
I paid $300 for the service.

Once they replace the ECM with a flashable/rewriteable ECM you wont have this problem again. If you lose you keys again they can simply reflash the new ECM to accept new keys. Thats the problem. The first ECM's used were not flashable. If the original keys were lost, the ECM turned into an expensive paper weight.
 
You guys know that whenever you are in a bind and your chipped key broke and all you have is the metal valet key. You can still start the car by putting the valet key in the ignition and holding the head of the broken key (plastic part) next to the key in the ignition and start the truck. Yes it's not something you want to do all he time, but it's a trick that will get you on the road and moving.
you could tape the broken head to the valet head... roll hillbilly style!
 

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