Key Battery Replacement

Balthane · February 17, 2011

I have just bought a 2002 IS200 SE :) and wanted to buy a small screwdriver to replace the key batteries. This proved difficult to find and it was sugessted that I take the problem to my local Lexus dealer which I did. I was told that while they could not sell me a screwdriver they would be happy to change the batteries free of charge - just the cost of the 2 new batteries. I happily agreed and handed my keys over. A few minutes later my keys were returned with new batteries and also a request that I pay £14.62 for them. I was somewhat shocked :o but paid up.

You can imagine my surprise when I late found that a pack of 4 such batteries can be had on eBay for £3.99 including postage .

Is this sort of thing to be expected from authorised dealers ?

Bob King · February 17, 2011

Looking back over past service invoices for my IS300 the dealer charges £6.50 for the Battery, so if you had two batteries, its sounds about right.

I fitted the batteries to my two spare keys myself, batteries came from eBay, and screwdriver set from Maplin.

sparkystav · February 17, 2011

These will open the fob:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/6x-Mini-Precision-Screwdriver-Set-Jeweller-Laptop-Watch-/350436998133?pt=UK_Computing_LaptopAccess_RL&hash=item5197ac3bf5#ht_1008wt_1139

Balthane · February 18, 2011

Thank you both for your help and I am very grateful. I have bought the mini screwdriver kit so no more rip off from my local Lexus dealer. At least in this area.

I see charging almost 8 times its worth for an item in these cicumstances as thinly veiled theft.

I have been worried about this type of practice which is why I posted the query as to whether I should continue to have the Lexus dealer serviced in view of its age. I am sure my local dealer will charge similarly outrageous amounts for servicing which I wish to avoid if possible.

I have two major probelms in life: The first is I like nice things, the second is I'm skint.

mike213735 · June 2, 2011

I have recently (within the last month) taken my LS key into Lexus Reading for a Battery change and was charged £7, including fitting.

I didn't think that was too bad.

Thanks

Mike

asadsaqlain · October 15, 2011

Hi everyone,

My is200 key has been damaged and i was wandering if i bought a off the market key from eBay which is an uncut blade and got it cut from a locksmith then i just put my immobilizer in it from

my original key will it work?

Thanks for any advice

The Editor · October 15, 2011

Try here as well (even cheaper)..... Around about 29p a Battery. I have bought from this buyer before and can recommend them.

The batteries come from Eunicell and are a large Battery manufacturer in China --> Eunicell

If purchased in cartons of 1,000 (which obviously Lexus/Toyota do) the price comes down much more (around 9p a battery). So assuming the buying power of Lexus they are making somewhere in the region of 10,000% profit !!! :angry:

Do yourself a favour and get them from eBay. The bats last exactly the same time as the ones the dealers fit and at 29p a Battery you can afford to replace them once a year anyway!

The Ed