Need a new key? You need to read this....

Lexus will charge you a small fortune for replacing a key but what the don't tell you is: the car has the ability to reprogramme keys itself. Lexus will charge £100 an hour to perform the procedures lsited below.

I have seen and tried several versions of the key programming procedure and failed with most of them. So i thought I would attept to compile a guide in order to simplify for others what has been quite complicated for myself as ive seen a few threads on keys recently!

I do not have a mass of Lexus knowledge, and cannot guarentee that this will work for your car, but what i can guarantee it worked on mine! (2001 IS200 Sport) So it should be OK. Also, i obviously didn't invent this method, but have compiled various different versions into what worked for me, if you feel i have copied from you, then sorry.

Right, first things first, your key has three functions:

1) As a key, to operate ignition or locks.
2) To open the doors remotely
3) To disarm the immobiliser

When replacing, you must programme the three functions separatly. First you need a key - ebay is probably best bet, blank cases are about £5 and can be cut by a decent locksmith for £10-15. You then need the inside electrical bits, any used key should be OK (£10-20) as the inside can be fitted in your new blank and re-programmed...read on.

To programme the door (and boot) opening of the remote:

Start with the driver's door open.

Insert a working Master Key (3 button) in to ignition, turn to on, then off and remove.

Lock, then unlock all the doors using the POWER LOCK button on the drivers door FIVE TIMES (lock unlock lock unlock lock unlock lock unlock lock unlock)

Close drivers door, then re-open.

Lock, then unlock anotheR FIVE TIMES, exactly as before.

Insert your new key into the ignition and turn to on, then off agAin and remove.

The door locks will then start operating.

While they are clicking away,hold down the lock button on the new key and press the unlock button on the key 5 times. Then release and press unlock button once.

The doors will lock and unlock once...and ure done!


To programme the transponder chip, so as the key will start the engine:

Press the accelerator and brakes pedals simultaneously ONCE, then release.

Insert your Master Key into the ignition, and turn ON.

Press and release the accelerator FIVE times (within 15 seconds)

Press and release the brake pedal SIX times (within 20 seconds)

Remove the Master key

Insert the new key into the ignition, and turn ON (within 10 seconds)

Press and release the accelerator ONCE (within 10 seconds)

WAIT 80 seconds (or so), the security light should go OFF.

Remove new key, press and release brake ONCE. - Done.


The above method worked for me, but I'm led to beleive that if you have a 2002+ car then the method for the immobiliser if as follows:

Close all doors and windows.

Insert Master key into the ignition and turn ON.

Turn the ignition OFF and back to ON, FIVE times.

Open and close the driver's door SIX times.

Remove the Master Key and insert your new key.

Turn ignition to ON.

WAIT 60 seconds. The THEFT light on the dashboard will then go out.

That should be it, but please note, I have not tested this last one.


If anyone has any problems with this, please contact me and i'll try to help.

Quick addition:

I think the car may only be able to store three keys in it's memory, as when i programmed a 4th, the car no longer recognises the 1st!

Something to bear in mind.

you can also delete keys manualy as well.

Thank you for your help in issuing a guide.

Thanks mate. How do yhou delete keys manually.

As i'm about to programme a fresh key this week, this guide is exceptionally useful, many thanks to Stoney for taking the time to write this out!

I dont know how to delete them manually!

@ gazzull22 - can ou tell us?

Are you programming a key you had cut yourself?

I ask this because I bought a blank off ebay which is 40 mm long as opposed to 37 mm long and I can't find anyone who will cut it for me.

I have a transponder, so i don't want to buy a blank from Lexus as it only comes with a transponder at around £50!

Would appreciate it if anyone could point me in the direction of a key cutter who may be able to help, preferably in the West London / Middlesex areas.

I've tried a couple of independants who can't cut the blank because of it being a slightly different size, and a couple of Timpsons' who haven't had the right size "followers" to cut the narrowest part of the key pattern.

Cheers,

MC.

Ive pinned this thread to stop it getting lost

Thanking you muchly.

why cant they just cut a bit off the end instead - assuming that the longer section is the blade end and not at the transponder end?

Only bigger/better ones will do them anyway. You should be able to find one, as the longers keys do work (just stick out about 3mm more thats all!) I have heard of people using them, so they must have got them cut somewhere!

Other option is just get another (smaller) blank off Ebay.

Key on ebay if anyone interested...

You seem to be bidding on lots of keys on ebay mate, how many do you want

I'm not bidding on this one, just pointing it out, as another member did in another post.

I was bidding on one yesterday, but gave up when the bid hit £20. I am now bidding on none.

I currently have two three button keys (and one two button key, with the wrong blade - for sale) I will buy another three button if the price is right. This will allow me to have one on me, one for the misses (which is basically spare cos i wont let her drive it!), the third key i can leave with a work collegue in the occasional case when someone else will have to move my car form my private car park in order to get in/out past me.

So to answer your question. I want three, preferably all three button, programmed as masters, and with correct blades in.

To delete all but one key from the unit
1. Simultaneously depress and release brake and accelerator pedals 1 time.
2. Insert an existing master key into the ignition cylinder.Do not turn the key
from the OFF (LOCK) position.
3. Within fifteen seconds of inserting the key, depress and release the accelerator
pedal six times.
4. Within twenty seconds of completing the above step, depress and release
the brake pedal seven times.
5. The security light will flash, indicating all keys other than the one being used
have been deleted.
6. Remove the key from the ignition cylinder within ten seconds. It will be the
only key still programmed to work.

i also belive you can program 3 master keys and 5 sub/valet keys with one working master key.



Hope this helps

Thanks for that.


This probably is the case, i was programming all mine as masters.

alright everyone
iv had my key cut and tried re programing it but when i try and start the car it wont start....
it chuggs as if its gonna start but wont actually fire up. any ideas what is up or am i going to have to go and have my pants pulled down at lexus?

cheers

Well if your sure your following the method correctly, then i dont know what else to sugest! definatly try it several times thou, as if the timings are not quite right it may not work. it worked for me, and for others.

maybe the transponder chip on the remote is knackered? or just batteries? do you have another key that you can try to programme so as to narrow down whether its the remote or the car thats causin the problem.

sorry cant help more, let me know how you get on thou.

Great guide mate, Been looking for ages.

Spare Keys dead due to battery and once the battery was replaced the remote works fine and open boot, looks but does not start the car.. Codes must be lost..

Will giv eit a go tonight and report back.

Cheers Once again 84Stoney

Dibslpg

got it sorted, i re programmed the lock,unlock and boot function but couldnt get the ignition to re programme so i just took it to lexus leicester it was 20 quid but they got it going
cheers for the guide mate very helpful

No worries mate.

It's not the easiest thing to do, but the method has been proven to work.

Still, only £20 I spose!

i have tried this but am having not luck - i am trying to program 2 fobs 1 3 button and other 2, i only have the one key it is a 3 button key and im hoping it is a master but am not so sure now

I have tried this guide few times and it wont work for unlocking/locking the doors but the keys will start my engin(they did before i even attempted to program them

anyone how i can find out if its a master key or not and where i might be going wrong programming them?

-Thanks

i dont know if i got a valet key or master key as i only have one key with 3 buttons and when i try and program my new key it dont work

when i insert my 3 button key(old one) the security lights goes solid for a few seconds and then goes off - dose that mean i got a valet key i i do then what options do i have on programing my new keys?

-Thanks

the 3 button key, is the master, and the 2 button key is the valet key

Are you sure? I thought i had a two button programmed as a master before.

I also thought the way to tell was that the dash security light let for a second or two when you started the engine with a valet, but not with a master.

Motsey has not managed to programme from his key, and it lights the security light. I would conclude from this that his key is not a master.

(As i said before, this is just what my research has concluded, my sourses may not be correct!!!)

has anyone near me (woking,surrey) got an is200 and know how to program the key - i can come down to you and have a little play and work out if mine is the master key or not please please pretty please with a lexus logo (made out of iceing) ontop

Awwww i would but im 2 farrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

hi peeps, just thought id mention i lost the only key i had for my is and the lexus dealers @ B'ham ordered and progarammed my new key all for £120 which i thought was a good price i was expecting all the locks to be changed & a bill for 4 figures, plus their tea and bickies were tasty, xcelent service keep it up LEXUS B'HAM

How did they get the key design needed?

Stav

took my logbook with me and driving license as i.d and they used the vin number to get the key cut, not sure how they progarmmed it as it was done round the back, as i was too busy with the blonde assistant who served me with tea and biscuits...lol

unless they ordered a master key already to go duno how they done it but if it wasnt a master key when they ordered it couldnt they do that with other keys?

Should the door panel be replace or they only put a device on the panel for that reprogrammed keys?

na i dont see why they would need to replace the door panels just the locks but as said in a previous post a lexus dealer ordered a replacement key without changing any locks

Just a side note: I had to do this yesterday and followed 84Stoney's instructions - they worked for the transponder but couldn't get the door lock programming to work at all.

I had a look on a US site and found these instructions which at first glance seem the same but have a few subtle differences - and they worked for me (dunno if it's because mine is a 300?) - Hope it helps anyone who's stuck.

Key Programming (Starter Chip)
1. Insert an already programmed master key into the ignition. Do not turn.
2. Press and release the gas pedal 5 times.
3. Press and release the brake pedal 6 times.
4. Remove the key from the ignition.
5. Insert the new key you want to program into the ignition.
6. Press and release the gas pedal one time.
7. Wait 1 minute. The security light will be blinking for this one minute. When it stops blinking your key is programmed (Be patient, it'll happen). To end programming step on brake one time.

NOTE: Look for your security light. This light will guide you during the programming procedure. The security light will go off at Step 1. It will remain off until Step 6. The security light will come on and start to blink after Step 6 until the key is programmed. If the security light comes on after Step 4 STOP the procedure and start over again.

If you perform this procedure too slowly your car will not go into programming mode. If you can not get your car to go into programming mode make sure you are using a master key and not a valet key. If you have a master key then you will probably need to perform this procedure more quickly.




Remote Programming

1. Close and lock all doors. Unlock and open drivers door.
2. Put key into ignition and remove. Do not turn it on.
3. Using the electric lock switch. Lock and unlock 5 times. (Lock, Unlock, Lock, Unlock, Lock, Unlock, Lock, Unlock, Lock, Unlock)
4. Close and open drivers door.
5. Using the electric lock switch. Lock and unlock 5 times. (Lock, Unlock, Lock, Unlock, Lock, Unlock, Lock, Unlock, Lock, Unlock)
6. Put key into ignition. Turn to "ON" , turn off and remove.
7. You will see the door locks cycle by themselves.

If the door locks do not cycle (lock and unlock) by themselves then the car isn’t in programming mode and you must start over.

8. On the remote, press and hold the LOCK and the UNLOCK button at the same time for no more than 2 seconds.
9. On the remote, press the LOCK button for no more than 1 second.

AT THIS POINT, the locks should cycle by themselves ONE time. This means the procedure was accepted.

IF the locks cycle twice it has failed.

The most common reason for programming failure is because the car didn’t receive a good signal from the remote. To fix this problem try these tips. 1) Stand outside of the car while you are performing steps 8 and 9. 2) Don’t hold the remote buttons down as long.

As long as the car is still in programming mode you can keep trying steps 8 and 9 until you complete the programming. If you wait too long and the car exits the programming mode then you must start over.

After you get the remote to program then continue on with step 10.

10. Close and open door to end programming procedure.

I just got a new blank 3-button blade for £8, A second hand Master key and Valet key both with transponder chips in (with Lexus Keyring), for £12.00 and Bolton Lock co cut the new blade for £6.70, and i've just programmed with success

so I have a brand new programmed Key and a spare Valet key chip, for under £27!!!

You've done well there. I've done a couple and I think £30 is about the cheapest i managed!

I've just tried to program a new key using the above method (and all of the other subtly different methods) to no avail!

Oddly, I can get the cars ECU to recognise the new key so it will start but for the life of me I cannot get it to operate the remote central locking.

Has anyone else had a similar experience or have any advice to offer?

Cheers

Leon

Hey Guys,

Well I've got my new blade and buttons, went to all timpsons around croydon and others, no one could cut it, acctually 1 timpsons tried and screwed up the blade so I had to get another, they gave me the money back that i paid for the blade tho. Got another and went to Lexus Croydon and they gave me a number of a mobile guy. Called him up and met him at his house after work and he did a great job cutting it.

Got the buttons and have been trying to programme them, got the immobiliser working np, but the buttons have been a different story. Firstly they seem to be from Canada, with 'FCC ID; HYQ1512V CANADA; 1551 102 539' on the back of the blade, also the Lock button has PANIC printed on it.

I was wondering if anyone has come across 1 of these and knows if it accually works with UK cars. Otherwise I'm doing something wrong in the programming.

When I get to the end of the sequence, before pressing the Lock and Unlock buttons, and the locks cycle once(they don't carry on cycling), I'm try to press the lock unlock buttons and then the lock button and nothing happens. If I then press the master key lock it then cycles twice as Hando said it would if you make a mistake.

I will try again but I don't know if I'm wasting my time.

Any suggestions or help would be muchly appreciated.

Cheers
James

Hey James I had exactly the same issue with a US or Canadian "Panic" transponder. No joy on the locking whatsoever. Knew I was doing it right because I'd just successfully programmed another UK key.

So I'm thinking incompatible in some way? Or perhaps another programming trick required...


@ Leon - does your key have "Panic" written across the unlock button in red?

Thanks guys, but I got it working in the end. Turned out that I was locking and un-locking the doors with the manual button not the power button. Doh!

yayyyyyy!!!! ive finally got it working was doing a silly mistakes i think im going to make a picture guide so idiots like me dont wate hours trying to do it and are just about to break there piggy bank to pay lexus to do it lol

Nice one matey, you got there in the end. Does that mean you are coming on Sunday ?

yea got there in the end _ Nope no can do im up in leicester went to drop some stuff off to my cousin yesterday n it turned into a long thing and im still here!!

Thanks Hando that worked a treat for me, on the remote programming I had to stand outside the car on steps 8 & 9 as you suggested in your tip...

Hi there, looking to buy a key for the IS 200 (2002)

Do I need to go with the 37mm or the 40mm, I can only see the 40mm on e-bay (any ideas)
What I have is the Master, the black casing is broken so I will need to buy a new key? I presume I can take the transponder out of one key and put it into another key or do I need to buy a blank key with the transponder unit aswell or just a blank key?

Thanks

You can transfer the transponder from one case to another - no problem - so you just need a blank.

37mm is the correct size - however 40mm is fine too - it will work but it will stick out a little bit (3mm) rather than fitting flush (not noticeable TBH).

Thanks Hando
I will go ahead and buy a keyonline and go from there - so do I need to re-program as above or can I just swap transponder over from broken key to the new key? Sorry for stupid questions, new to all of this

Cheers

If your current chip is being transfered then no programming is neccessary. You will either need the blank blade cut by a locksmith, or maybe even transfer the old blade too to the new case.

I also have a 43mm one that is fine, just sticks out another 3mm more than the 40mm! Not really a problem though.

If you need just a plastic casing, i have one spare, can send out for £1 (p&p!)

- Thanks Stoney
Is it possible to also put the blade into the plastic casing (3 button) - I had thought that the plastic casing and blade were one in the same?