I just purchased a 2007 Lexus ES350 with the Smart Key keyless pushbutton start and entry system. I am a long time Toyota user and this is my first experience with a Lexus.
This being a used car, one of the most neglectful thing the previous owner/leasee did was loose the second smart key remote fob. Obtaining another smart key and programming it to this car has become much more stressful than I believe it should be.
I was quoted by the dealer a price of over $325 for a smart key with the mechanical backup blade key cut. I felt this was a little on the unreasonable side, and began researching options on the internet and with local locksmiths. There are lots of posts and ads for new key fobs for better than half the price quoted by the dealer. I am not one to believe all that I see on the internet so I elected to pursue a solution with a local locksmith. I received a quote from them to obtain two smart keys for the same price as the dealers one. Thinking since it is so difficult to get one, I will go ahead and get two extra keys just in case. I ordered up two keys and made an appointment for the locksmith to set up the car and cut the mechanical backup keys.
Well, I quickly determined that this turkey did not know much at all about what he had for tools and equipment. He obtained 2 keys (from an unknown source) that look exactly like the one I have and proceeded to use his terminal device to program the car to accept these two new keys. Well, the instructions included with the device and the prompts given did not agree and after several attempts he gave up and called the device rep. for assistance and was met with failure at every attempt. He then became somewhat frustrated because he claimed to have spent over $5000 on the programming unit! He gave up and offered to sell me the two Smart Key fobs and if I could get them programmed by the dealer, he would cut the mechanical key for free. I accepted the offer and purchased the two fobs for $300 which is competitive with what I had seen available from internet sources.
The Lexus dealer said he would do the programming of the two keys for $62.50. I let my wife take it to the dealer but he returned the car without successfully programming the two keys saying, "These keys must not be compatible, look here these keys are not even cut!" Since he said this to my wife and not to me, I was unable to counter, "Well Duh!! But what does that have to do with programming the keys?" The dealer did however discount his price somewhat since he was unable to program the key, he reduced the price to $50. Then too, he did not offer any alternatives! Hmmm, almost like he felt some responsibility for the failed attempt. But, I am happy for any break I get at this point.
Now, I have spent $350 and I am no better off. I do not suspect that both of the two additional smart keys are faulty. They look the same, they have the same chips inside, the LEDs light up when the buttons are pushed. I guess it is possible, but how can I positively determine this?
So, I am placed at the mercy of Lexus dealer and forced to pay their price for one additional key. I don't however have much confidence in this Lexus dealer, but what other choices might I have? Of course, if the initial quote had been reasonable for one extra key to my car, I would have done that in the first place.
- Could the failed attempts be explained by the fact that the two extra keys were in very close proximity to the "Start Button" when the programming was attempted? Is it possible the car was confused and simply refused the new key(s)? Both Smart Keys were on one key ring and I am certian they were not seperated by the technician.
- What could be my actual problem? It seems that there are no knowledgeable technicians or experts available that can, or are willing, to tell me what the actual problem is.
- How can a Smart Key be tested? Is there a device that can independently activate the smart key or check its functionality?