Pro Tip - Key Fob Programming

[kfriede]

I have a 99 Limited that I had trouble programming key fobs with. My driver's door actuator is bad and won't cycle enough times to complete the programming. I tried helping the lock out as I was pushing the electronic button and couldn't get it to react.

Finally I found a trick that worked for me. Use the key on the outside of the driver's door to cycle the lock, works perfectly with that.

Just in case anyone else has this issue.

 

[zcruiser]

I have a 99 Limited that I had trouble programming key fobs with. My driver's door actuator is bad and won't cycle enough times to complete the programming. I tried helping the lock out as I was pushing the electronic button and couldn't get it to react.



Finally I found a trick that worked for me. Use the key on the outside of the driver's door to cycle the lock, works perfectly with that.



Just in case anyone else has this issue.

Yeah I always hated doing that, it seemed very abusive to the solenoid. Especially since you had to have almost split-second timing to get it to work. Actually, it took literally split-second timing.

 

[Dezert4Runner]

Yep, key in the outside lock was the only way I managed to program an aftermarket eBay fob a couple weeks ago. No way was the door lock actuators up to the challenge with the interior door lock switch. A couple lock/ unlock cycles and it was already struggling in 70’s weather.

 

[redhot]

Has anyone ever tried manually cycling the drivers lock to program the remote? My 4Runner doesn't have a factory remote but I've programmed a few Toyota and Lexus key fobs that use this exact procedure. I always manually cycle the drivers side lock instead of use the power lock/unlock button and it has worked so far everytime.

 

[Bad Luck]

Has anyone ever tried manually cycling the drivers lock to program the remote? My 4Runner doesn't have a factory remote but I've programmed a few Toyota and Lexus key fobs that use this exact procedure. I always manually cycle the drivers side lock instead of use the power lock/unlock button and it has worked so far everytime.

That's literally what the original poster said he did. Almost word for word exactly what he said...

 

[ThySenteth]

That's literally what the original poster said he did. Almost word for word exactly what he said...

I read that as him meaning just grabbing the little knob at the top of the door panel and using that.

OP is referring to putting your key in the lock on the outside of the door and using that. (which was an option listed in the HOWTO thread of remote programming many years ago and discussed ad nauseam).

 

[redhot]

That's literally what the original poster said he did. Almost word for word exactly what he said...

OP said to use key in outside lock. I'm saying grab the manual inside lock and pull it up / push it down.

Has always worked for me on other Toyota / Lexus models using this remote programming method. I've never been able to test it on my 4Runner because it didn't come with factory remote so I installed aftermarket remote.

 

[kfriede]

OP said to use key in outside lock. I'm saying grab the manual inside lock and pull it up / push it down.

Has always worked for me on other Toyota / Lexus models using this remote programming method. I've never been able to test it on my 4Runner because it didn't come with factory remote so I installed aftermarket remote.

The final solution was key on the outside.

The intermediate attempt was grabbing the plunger (?) and moving it up/down while also pushing the power lock/unlock button. That did not work for me.

The first attempt was straight up lock/unlock button. Didn't work because actuator hates life.