Switchblade Key + Remote Combo Feedback

[djkrayz]

Has anyone purchased one of these?

https://www.ikeyless.com/vehicles/Toyota/4Runner/2006/1000574

If so what do you think? Is it durable, does it work? Was getting it cut and programmed a hassle?

I am looking into picking one up if the results are positive.

 

[gqr1c3boi]

The quality is okay, definitely not OEM quality, but not crappy either. It was a pain to find someone to cut and I ended up having to unscrew the back and take the key blade out before anyone would consider cutting it. The remote gets in the way with the key cutting machine. I got the buttons programmed via instructions found in one of the threads here but as far as getting the chip programmed...I just never got around to taking it to the dealer. It's just been sitting in my drawer. IIRC, I got in on eBay for a cheaper price.

 

[jpless]

I've got one, bought it about 10 months ago right after getting my t4r. I got it cut at the dealer, I think they even did it free. I still havent gotten around to getting it programmed but got quoted about $75 from some guy on craigslist and $125 from the dealer.

In terms of cutting, I got the dealer to do it but I think they cut it for the valet key because it doesn't work on my glovebox. Like David, I had to go to a few places before they would consider it. Home depot wouldnt, sears wouldnt. I kinda convinced the guy at Toyota to do it after agreeing that he couldn't guarantee it. So, if they do mess up, there isnt much you can do because it's a special blade and I'm not sure how you would replace.

I was able to program it easily on my own for the buttons so everything works but the chip. Therefore, it can't turn the car on (but I can turn the battery on)

I can lock/unlock but it also does not do the panic or the rear window.

I bought it for ~50 on ebay I believe and like David, it's just sitting in a drawer until I get around to getting the chip programmed. I've been able to find much better ways to spend !$75 on my t4r and thus haven't gotten to this yet.

 

[gaterose]

I got one of these last week. I'm not sure if its the same one as mentioned here, but I got it from eBay for $60 shipped (from a seller called "mykeyless"). I got the transponder programmed at the toyota dealership for $20, I'm not sure why everyone else is getting such high quotes. They told me it would be $87 if they had to recode the entire system in the car rather than just the key, but they didn't have to do that. The local hardware store was going to do it for free (and cut it free too) but their scanner was incompatible for some reason.

I know its a waste of $80 but I've been told it is $60-75 just for a regular key with transponder programming so I thought I'd give it a shot so I'd have a spare. As said before, I had to take the key out of the remote for it to be cut.

All of the buttons work on the remote and the trunk button DOES roll down the back window on mine, but it doesn't have a panic button. I'm not sure why other people say their remote does not roll down the window but the one I have definately does. Its also pretty heavy, I'm not sure what is implied by the earlier mention of it not being OEM quality, but mine is pretty heavy duty feeling. It feels about the heavier than my friend's for his Jetta. The only thing not OEM is the trunk instead of a rear window emblem and there is no toyota emblem.

 

[T4Rhino]

I got one of these last week. I'm not sure if its the same one as mentioned here, but I got it from eBay for $60 shipped (from a seller called "mykeyless"). I got the transponder programmed at the toyota dealership for $20, I'm not sure why everyone else is getting such high quotes. They told me it would be $87 if they had to recode the entire system in the car rather than just the key, but they didn't have to do that. The local hardware store was going to do it for free (and cut it free too) but their scanner was incompatible for some reason.

I know its a waste of $80 but I've been told it is $60-75 just for a regular key with transponder programming so I thought I'd give it a shot so I'd have a spare. As said before, I had to take the key out of the remote for it to be cut.

All of the buttons work on the remote and the trunk button DOES roll down the back window on mine, but it doesn't have a panic button. I'm not sure why other people say their remote does not roll down the window but the one I have definately does. Its also pretty heavy, I'm not sure what is implied by the earlier mention of it not being OEM quality, but mine is pretty heavy duty feeling. It feels about the heavier than my friend's for his Jetta. The only thing not OEM is the trunk instead of a rear window emblem and there is no toyota emblem.

I know I'm dense, but are you saying the key and transponder are working?

 

[gaterose]

I know I'm dense, but are you saying the key and transponder are working?

Yes, everything works great. It is the only key I use, been using it since May.

 

[jpless]

i also bought from mykeyless on ebay. Got the key cut at Toyota dealer for free, didnt remove it. They did make it the valet though (doesn't lock the glovebox). They quoted high on the transponder but I need to mention it to my service rep. We have a good relationship so maybe he'll do it free with my next oil change, i just keep forgetting to ask!

 

[SuddenAttk]

O that's cool. i was interested on those keys but didn't know it would worked or not. i needed a new key fob ever since i ran over the fob and broke off the keyring section like 3 month ago. now that i know it really works i might finally but them.

 

[Bedstraps]

light

I just got a mykeyless switchblade. I noticed 2 things:

1) When I press a button the little light does not come on. Do these come with batteries?

2) The programming instructions were for a 1999 - 2002 4runner?

To answer my own questions after programming:

1) No light comes on but the remote does work.
2) I was 3/4 able to successfully program the remote. It locks and unlocks. The trunk button rolls the rear window down and so does the emergency button. So there is no emergency function on the remote.

 

[sigepbiker]

Switchblade Key and Fob

Saw these awhile ago and tried to do some research but couldn't really find anything. I made the plunge about a week ago and have been using it for my main key since.

1. Programming the Fob:
Lock and unlock worked perfectly. As for the rear window: not so much. I opened up the case and found out that the electronic board is missing that button. Instead it had a screw in place to keep the button from being pressed. I believe its mentioned above but the panic button on the electronic board is not under the button on the shell, but does work on the board. 2 out of 4, I ended up switching out the electronic boards between my OEM fob and this new fob; it fit snugly since they are the same boards. Now my valet key and fob will not roll down the window (ideal).

2. Programming chipped key
Finding this thread pretty much solidified the decision to go ahead and do this. This worked perfectly which I did prior to actually cutting the key, the key was still a blank.

3. Key cutting:
I went to the dealership, NOT FREE! Not really sure who/why anyone started this rumor, it wasn't the case. I got it cut there because other people mentioned small locksmiths had trouble cutting it. Dealership cut it off the key code associated with the car's VIN and didn't have to take the key apart. After getting the key cut, it started right up and have been driving with it since. The first couple of times, the key felt a little big trying to turn, but still worked and has worked itself out.

As for a review:
Quality is lower than OEM but is holding up against bumps and bruises. My biggest complaint is that the key is rotated 90 degrees from the fob unlike the OEM key that has a flat surface in line with the OEM key. Starting with your thumb on top of the fob and rotating your thumb to the outside is awkward but manageable with the bump start the 4th Gen 4Runner's have.

Update:
The key chain ended up breaking off Jun 2012. Everything else worked, but I still wanted to keep it on my key chain.

Here's a link to my new flip key: Successful Key Swap: 5th Gen & Flip Key

 

[gaterose]

Saw these awhile ago and tried to do some research but couldn't really find anything. I made the plunge about a week ago and have been using it for my main key since....

What research did you try to do? What did you find out from buying the key that wasn't mentioned in this thread?

My biggest complaint is that the key is roated 90 degrees from the fob...

I agree that was annoying for a while, as well as how far the key protrudes from the dash.

Also, the one I got was from ikeyless and the trunk button did roll down the rear window without switching the boards like you did.

 

[sigepbiker]

I was questioned the legitimacy of the company iKeyless. I had read a lot of bad reviews from other customers that the company was a scam and didn't send the right fob or anything. I finally found it for sale on amazon which is more creditable. Found T4R this year and saw you were one of ... who actually bought these and were pleased.

Sorry yours was stolen.