Dollar Micro

$900 dollars to copy a micro-chip car key? Maybe I’ll just buy a new car!?

Recently, we lost the master key for the Prius, and will have a new one made. The key we have left is the copy, which doesn’t let us make a new copy, as it’s coded not to allow it. The key works fine, and I would prefer to find a way to replicate it, rather than have a new chip made (the $900, the manufacturer says it costs) We just aren’t willing! Does anyone know of a way to reproduce the key we have, or swap to a non-micro-chip system instead?

Hi,

it depends on the year of your Prius…

UPDATE 1/16/08- I double-checked with my sources at Toyota Direct parts and they know of the “off-brand” sensor keys being sold at websites like “ikeyless” and there have been several issues with them working both continuously and correctly. You can get a $14.95 sensor key cut to unlock the door, but it will not link to that vehicles ignition CPU and start the engine without being set with the manufacturer’s unique key programmers. You can buy a keyless entry unit to unlock the doors, but those have been prone with problems as well. And unlocking the doors is not the same as starting the vehicle. Toyota is extremely concerned with safety and they go with over-protection every time. You will not be able to buy an aftermarket key/key fob (even one labeled “OEM or Original Equipment Manufacturer” specifications) that will provide the same level of security and operation that an original manufacturer set will. Period.

What year is your Prius? If it is a 2002 or earlier (generation one, non-hatchback), then you have a regular key with a sensor chip in it, possibly a grey head. If you only have a grey-headed key only, then you have troubles.

If you have a 2003 or later (generation two with a hatchback), then you have a full square key with a pull-out back up door key, either a standard or a Smart Key, then you should have no trouble making a duplicate from that one.

You state that “The key we have left is the copy…as it’s not coded to allow it. The key works fine…”. What I gather from that is you have one of the original keys that came with your Prius (since you don’t say you can’t start and drive your Prius). I don’t know which one, but it sounds like a 2002 or older model.

On a 2003 and later Prius, you have two original key fob (with the small pull-out, back up key) units. As long as you have one of the two original key fobs that came with your Prius it will be one of these two prices to make a new key (according to my friendly, neighborhood, local Toyota parts access)…

Smart Key- $201.00, plus about $45.00 to program it

Standard key- $180.00, plus about $45.00 to program it

This is for a full key fob and pull-out key combination.

The pricing you were given of $900-ish is for a replacement for a full black sensor key that has been lost. This only applies to a 2002 and earlier Prius or a vehicle with a sensor key setup like a Camry. Those get two standard black keys and one grey valet key.

You are not able to make a new, full, black sensor key from a grey valet key.

In that case, the locking sensor control unit must be pulled and exchanged with a totally new unit with all new keys from Toyota.

This is done so that no one can gain full access to your vehicle (the valet key will not unlock the glovebox or trunk if they have been locked by a black sensor key) by just copying the grey key.

It is not true that there are only a few codes. The sensor units are integrated units that must be switched to change the code. You will not be able to purchase one of these and the keys off ebay and have someone just pop it in. These units and the keys require activation equipment that only Toyota dealers will have access to.

So it is possible you may have to pay $900-ish to replace a full set-up on an early Prius, but not on a 2003 and on.

If this doesn’t answer it for you, give me more details and I’ll fine-tune the answer further.

Good luck.

P.S. I have no financial interest in anything with Toyota, other than I am an independent enducational contractor with them. I only want people to get the correct thing the first time and not waste their time or money when I can direct them to what needs to be done.

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