Ran over my only key with a lawnmower

[Toystory2]

Yep, unfortunately my only key for my 07 fell out of my pocket while mowing grass and I ran over…with the blades on.

Good news is I was able to find the key, although it was twisted like a pretzel. Also found the rubber piece that fits on the end of the key. The lock fob did not survive. It’s in pieces.

I tried my best to carefully straighten out the mangled key, but to no avail. It will go into the ignition and I hear the beep, but it won’t turn.

Basically at this point, what are my options. I have no spare and no working key. Maybe the transponder is still good….hopefully it’s in the rubber piece and not the fob. I’ll post a picture of the key after I tried fixing it. Please let me know if it might could be fixed by a locksmith.

 

[AuSeeker]

I recently had my local Toyota dealer cut me a new key using my VIN number, I didn't have them program it, I going to do that myself, it was only around $25+/- for the key being made/cut, getting it programmed is going to cost more than that since you can't do it yourself without a working master key and having to get it programmed by your local dealer or a locksmith with the proper equipment.

Go Talk to your local dealer.

The transponder is in he key head, so if it's still working you can get a new key made via the VIN number and then possibly use the new key in the ignition and holding the old key near the ignition switch and see if the new key will start the vehicle, if it does then you should be able to program it yourself, since I haven't programmed my new key yet I will try this in the morning and let you know if this will work

 

[AuSeeker]

Yep, unfortunately my only key for my 07 fell out of my pocket while mowing grass and I ran over…with the blades on.

Good news is I was able to find the key, although it was twisted like a pretzel. Also found the rubber piece that fits on the end of the key. The lock fob did not survive. It’s in pieces.

I tried my best to carefully straighten out the mangled key, but to no avail. It will go into the ignition and I hear the beep, but it won’t turn.

Basically at this point, what are my options. I have no spare and no working key. Maybe the transponder is still good….hopefully it’s in the rubber piece and not the fob. I’ll post a picture of the key after I tried fixing it. Please let me know if it might could be fixed by a locksmith.

I recently had my local Toyota dealer cut me a new key using my VIN number, I didn't have them program it, I going to do that myself, it was only around $25+/- for the key being made/cut, getting it programmed is going to cost more than that since you can't do it yourself without a working master key and having to get it programmed by your local dealer or a locksmith with the proper equipment.

Go Talk to your local dealer.

The transponder is in he key head, so if it's still working you can get a new key made via the VIN number and then possibly use the new key in the ignition and holding the old key near the ignition switch and see if the new key will start the vehicle, if it does then you should be able to program it yourself, since I haven't programmed my new key yet I will try this in the morning and let you know if this will work

I tried my new unprogrammed key just now to start the engine and at first it didn't work...until I literally had to touch the heads of both keys together and then the unprogrammed did start the engine albeit with a sight delay in starting compared to just using my old programmed key which starts the engine instantly.

Don't give up at trying this if it doesn't work at first, it took me several tries before I got it to finally work, but once I got it started I also moved the keys apart to see if the engine stayed running and it did...BUT I would suggest to maybe tape the heads together and use them that way until you get the new key programmed.

Since you need the vehicle and the new key to be together to get the key programmed, maybe this will work for you to get the vehicle to someone who can program your new key...IF your old key's chip wasn't damaged by the lawnmower.

That being said you will however have to have not only your VIN number(I took a photo of the VIN sticker on the driver's door jamb) but also you will need positive proof of ownership with the VIN number on it of your T4R to prove to the dealership that you do own the T4R, I didn't have to have that proof at the dealership I went too because they already had my T4R and proof of my ownership in their system from when they replaced my dash board under the extended warranty a few years ago, I did have to show them my driver's license to prove who I was.

 

[ArthurKotb]

I had a locksmith just reprogram all my keys and car with a new transponder code. He came to my house and did all the necessary work. He even had his own 10X10 to keep the rain off of him. I was able to get a new key fob off Amazon and program that myself.

Seeing as how the key isn't totally destroyed he might even be able to cut a new key for you. The one I called was able to do everything I needed right in my driveway.

 

[Toystory2]

I recently had my local Toyota dealer cut me a new key using my VIN number, I didn't have them program it, I going to do that myself, it was only around $25+/- for the key being made/cut, getting it programmed is going to cost more than that since you can't do it yourself without a working master key and having to get it programmed by your local dealer or a locksmith with the proper equipment.

Go Talk to your local dealer.

The transponder is in he key head, so if it's still working you can get a new key made via the VIN number and then possibly use the new key in the ignition and holding the old key near the ignition switch and see if the new key will start the vehicle, if it does then you should be able to program it yourself, since I haven't programmed my new key yet I will try this in the morning and let you know if this will work

Good to hear from ya AuSeeker! The transponder chip seems to be working. Wondering if a locksmith could cut a new key and just transfer it to the existing transponder.


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[Toystory2]

I had a locksmith just reprogram all my keys and car with a new transponder code. He came to my house and did all the necessary work. He even had his own 10X10 to keep the rain off of him. I was able to get a new key fob off Amazon and program that myself.

Seeing as how the key isn't totally destroyed he might even be able to cut a new key for you. The one I called was able to do everything I needed right in my driveway.

Thanks! Glad to hear you got it sorted out relatively easily. Looks like my chip is still good, just the physical key is damaged. Gonna call a locksmith tomorrow and hopefully they can just cut a new key and pair with existing transponder.


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[Toystory2]

I tried my new unprogrammed key just now to start the engine and at first it didn't work...until I literally had to touch the heads of both keys together and then the unprogrammed did start the engine albeit with a sight delay in starting compared to just using my old programmed key which starts the engine instantly.

Don't give up at trying this if it doesn't work at first, it took me several tries before I got it to finally work, but once I got it started I also moved the keys apart to see if the engine stayed running and it did...BUT I would suggest to maybe tape the heads together and use them that way until you get the new key programmed.

Since you need the vehicle and the new key to be together to get the key programmed, maybe this will work for you to get the vehicle to someone who can program your new key...IF your old key's chip wasn't damaged by the lawnmower.

That being said you will however have to have not only your VIN number(I took a photo of the VIN sticker on the driver's door jamb) but also you will need positive proof of ownership with the VIN number on it of your T4R to prove to the dealership that you do own the T4R, I didn't have to have that proof at the dealership I went too because they already had my T4R and proof of my ownership in their system from when they replaced my dash board under the extended warranty a few years ago, I did have to show them my driver's license to prove who I was.

That’s great, glad you were able to get it fired up. I’m hoping to avoid the dealership if at all possible since they are over an hour away. Hoping a locksmith or maybe even Lowe’s can help. And I’ll definitely get a spare made.


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[AuSeeker]

That’s great, glad you were able to get it fired up. I’m hoping to avoid the dealership if at all possible since they are over an hour away. Hoping a locksmith or maybe even Lowe’s can help. And I’ll definitely get a spare made.


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I doubt very seriously that Lowes will be able to help you, I have never heard of them having modern "chipped" automotive keys.

 

[MrSeth]

That’s great, glad you were able to get it fired up. I’m hoping to avoid the dealership if at all possible since they are over an hour away. Hoping a locksmith or maybe even Lowe’s can help. And I’ll definitely get a spare made.


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I tried Lowe's AND Home Depot once for Keys. The only ones they could cut that worked were for my '79 Jeep DJ-5G and '95 YJ. They can't do any chip stuff (tried a few years back)