Allisterc

Fife Autokeys Mobile Auto Locksmith - Dunfermline, Fife Telephone: 07726 012 000 Covering: Dunfermline | Kirkcaldy | Cowdenbeath | Leven | North Queensferry | Perth | Alloa | Glenrothes | Livingston | Falkirk | Bathgate

Ok, I have spoken with a key guy in Dunfermline. Here is his reply. It might be of help to others. Hi Ok The situation is this: You will need to order a 3 button remote key from the dealer--whether i do it or the dealer does it you would have to do this anyway. This comes cut to your car locks and is non returnable-- not cheap is my guess as none of my suppliers would even quote me on a price. I will then have to remove (by cutting out) the Lexus transponder chip and inserting one of my own that is specially prepared. The insert inside the case is cut into and once reassembled you cannot see any this from the outside. Then i can then copy the info from your slave key to my inserted chip and that will be the car starting issue sorted. The remote function of the key is then programmed and hopefully at the end you will have a fully functional 3 button working remote and key. Total cost is £200 and you would need to come down to Dunfermline. I have successfully done this on other Lexus vehicles but have no experience of this car neither have any of my colleagues so i cannot guarantee anything here except if it don’t work i wont charge you anything. Let me know your thoughts Alan

Thanks for the good news Paul.lol. It would seem I got 2 Valet keys with the car. When you say expensive, whats the ballpark figure?

Thanks for your reply John but the ignition key dosn't fit the centre armrest box. Looks like it will be same as glove box.

Can anyone tell me how to find the seriel number of the glovebox key ans where I could get one made? The ignition key is not the same. Bit of a pain if you have the roof down and just want to pop into a shop. Saves opening and closeing lid.

Starting to get the car ready for some better weather. Spent a chunk of the day washing, cutting back, waxing and sealing. Not finnished yet.

Well, who would have thunk it? After doing all my research and having tried all cobinations to remove the discs from the CD player, the damm thing fired up and spat out the discs on request.????? The only different thing today was that for the first time and because it was a great day I took the car up town with the roof down. That couldn't have made any difference though? I was to arrange next week to have the car taken into the Mark Levinson repair place in Edinburgh to get it fixed and would have no doubt cost me a few quid plus all the inconvenience. Happy days. Whoo hoo.

http://www.svtservices.co.uk/find-us/ This is an Edinburgh company for Mark Levinson repairs. They also have a postal service or you can bring your car in and they will remove and replace the fixed unit.

I have found this company in Edinburgh for Mark Levinson repairs. http://www.svtservices.co.uk/find-us/ Having spoken to them, it seems they carry many parts for different models of Lexus. Likly to be much cheaper than trying to replace whole unit. There is info on their site for posting your unit to them or if you are more local they will remove from car and replace. The guy on the phone was most helpful. Good luck.

Thanks for the replies. I have managed to track down a company in Edinburgh that repairs ML kit. Seems they have quite a few spare parts held in stock too they recon it wont cost much to fix if I bring it down and collect it. They will also remove from car and refit. Happy days.

Gary, if your taking the radio / cd out did you buy a new facia for your ipod?

Can anyone suggest where I can get a facia for my SC. I want to upgrade the radio /cd but can't find the bit I need. Halfords have been great and checked the UK suppliers they know of but no joy. Maybe the only solution is to go to US sites.

Can the radio / cd player be upgraded? Do you have to replace the speakers? Would it be a good fit? Any sugestions of a make and model? 2004 SC430 Thanks

Hi Bobby, Yes they do have a park mode although I suggest you have it hardwired to prevent battery run-down. At the moment, Blackvue are giving you the gizzmo to prevent this free so if your battery should drop below a certain level, the cam will switch off. The park mode is activated by movement, you can set when it switches on. The wifi model is handy for quick reference and stops the farfing about of having to remove the sim and put it in your laptop. The pic quality is very good. Hope this helps.

Keep in mind, you have to travel to Leeds and back. Kwik fit told me thre are 3 types of rear end for that make and year. I don't beleive it, They wouldnt give me a price unless I brought it up. (To make sure they quoted for the right system) supposidly???? More like they can tell you all the other stuff you have to get for your motor.

It is expensive but it is convenient, don't have the time to travel. They quoted £1180 for the complete stainless steel system. Can't afford that right now. Front end is ok. My car guy in Carnoustie uses them all the time, they do a great job so he says. Anyway, back to silent running tomorrow.

Thanks Pete, Im just back from Glenrothes have booked the car in for Friday for the 2 back ends to be done in SS with lifetime garnt. £600 but have a vg reputation and not far away.