Spare Keys

[Noloc]

So, I've had my truck for approximately a year. The other day, for no apparent reason, I decided to test my spare keys. So you won't believe what I found. My so-called "spare" keys don't even belong to my truck. Not the valet key, or the master key, or the key fob. I WAS PISSED. I went to the dealer the very next day and told my story. They were so embarrased it was laughable. Needless to say, they ordered a new set of keys along with the key fob and it's going to cost them about $200. Just want to share my story for those of you who haven't checked their spare keys.

 

[TechWrench]

So, I've had my truck for approximately a year. The other day, for no apparent reason, I decided to test my spare keys. So you won't believe what I found. My so-called "spare" keys don't even belong to my truck. Not the valet key, or the master key, or the key fob. I WAS PISSED. I went to the dealer the very next day and told my story. They were so embarrased it was laughable. Needless to say, they ordered a new set of keys along with the key fob and it's going to cost them about $200. Just want to share my story for those of you who haven't checked their spare keys.

There is probably someone else from that dealer running around with your set of keys!!!

 

[sharp4runr]

Hahaha, that's a pretty good one!! When I bought mine, they only gave me one regular key and 1 valet key. They wrote me a "We Owe" slip and they cut it for me but I had to wait for them to program it. All free, but it was a small hastle.

They also cut me a plastic key that I keep in my wallet.

 

[lin]

You want to really get the dealer riled? I am not sure if your 4Runner Sport has the chip in the keys, but here is what I have learned. When I bought my 1998 Toyota Avalon, the dealer had only one key at car delivery time . The dealer agreed to make me the two additional keys, but I aksed how many keys could be made to work with the computer that reads the chips-- I think they said a total of three. I went nuts because I didn't want their screw up to force me to buy a new "chip reading computer", if I got stupid and lost a couple of keys. They ended up installing a whole new system and cut three new keys. When I picked up my new 2003 4Runner-- same thing-- they only had one key. When I told them I wanted a new chip system so my car was "just like new" they went crazy. Somehow they managed to find my original keys-- Good luck

 

[sharp4runr]

You want to really get the dealer riled? I am not sure if your 4Runner Sport has the chip in the keys, but here is what I have learned. When I bought my 1998 Toyota Avalon, the dealer had only one key at car delivery time . The dealer agreed to make me the two additional keys, but I aksed how many keys could be made to work with the computer that reads the chips-- I think they said a total of three. I went nuts because I didn't want their screw up to force me to buy a new "chip reading computer", if I got stupid and lost a couple of keys. They ended up installing a whole new system and cut three new keys. When I picked up my new 2003 4Runner-- same thing-- they only had one key. When I told them I wanted a new chip system so my car was "just like new" they went crazy. Somehow they managed to find my original keys-- Good luck

That doesn't make sense at all, no offense to you but to the dealer. All my dealer had to do was reprogramm the computer to accept my new key. They needed all 3 keys to program all of them at one time. Also when you get the keys it should also come with a metal plate with a code on it. This is the code for your key and it is necessary to have to program. There shouldn't be a need to buy a new computer or anything like that. Also, I thought that your car can have more than 3 keys, like 6 was the max.

 

[lin]

We're saying some of the same things. I believe the dealer said they program up to 3 additional keys to work with the computer. My concern was that they were programming two of the potential additional three that could be programmed. Although I've never lost multiple sets of keys, I didn't want to potentially be able to program only one addditional key (which would have been the sixth programmed). Hey, all I know is that I watched the dealer replace the module that reads the chip in the key and reprogram my original key and two others. I guess my advice is : ask the question so you don't inadvertantly hurt yourself in the future--

 

[GalacticRunner]

I was told what I believe Sharp4runr is getting at, I just had to have a key added to my system. When the Computer is attached to th 4-runner, 1 master key is necessary for programming. If this key is all you have the remaining slots can be reprogrammed to new keys. The only time a new module is needed is if no master keys are available for programming.

 

[TechWrench]

AS I understand it, the key recognition system in the new runners is only capable of storing information on 4 keys at one time. If a key is lost, then its info has to be removed from the system and a new one can then be added. All of this is supposed to be able to be done by the dealer, if they know what they are doing. I had a fourth key added to my system several months after I got it, and I was in OKC at the time. My 'home' dealer didn't have any 'blanks' at the time. I do not know if you are able to add additional master storage units to the system in order to program more that 4 keys to the system.