House Broken Into, Gx470 Key Stolen

[scooterdog]

Hi everyone, it has been a very tough 20 hours.

Last night we left to watch a July 1 fireworks show (I live in MD), and we were gone about 80 minutes (left about 9:10PM, came back at 10:30PM).

In that time a theif broke in, took two laptops, new digital SLR (Nikon too), jewelry of sentimental value and a lot of other things. Funny, they left my wife's new Mac Mini alone, along with several LCP flat-panels I had hooked up to the docking station for the work computer. :cries:

I'm still finding things to do/replace, the police were responsive and were able to lift fingerprints from the window where they entered, but I'm not that optimistic that I'll ever see this stuff again.

This morning I realized that the GX470 additional key was stolen, and I'm frankly worried that our well-loved SUV is going to be a target for theft. The key for the 1994 Honda Accord was left alone, and it was sitting in the garage (okay it has 177K miles on it but is still running great, and I would have been heartbroken to lose it).

Anyone go through this before? Can the key be 'reprogrammed' so that we only have/use one key, but the other key is inoperable? It being the 2nd of July on a Sunday I'll be looking into this at the dealer first-thing tomorrow, but wanted any advice you could provide.

For what its worth, a simple reminder to keep a current backup of all your computers on DVD-R. All the backup HD's, DVD+RW drives, and a lot of accessories were taken, along with a ton of credit cards. Also make sure to write down all those pesky 800-numbers for who to contact (and their account numbers) not only in a safe-deposit box but also in a filecabinet somewhere; on a Saturday night what bank will be available to open the box?

I find my latest DVD backup dates back to February 11, 2006 - so there's only about six week's of work emails that have been lost forever (luckily the last three months are still on the work email server). I guess I can be thankful the DSL modem and wireless router were left intact, along with the wife's PC - it would have been a major problem not to have any online connection to the outside world.

I'd appreciate hearing about any recommendations about the key, and thanks in advance.

scooterdog

[steviej]

park the SUV across town at a friend or relative's until you find a quick solution. Or if you have a garage, park it in there and remove the battery until you find a fix.

This happened to me kind of. Wallet was stolen which contained the wallet key and my lisence so they had the address of the car.

Had to replace all locks and ignition cylinder. Insurance wouldn't pay for it. However, they would pay if the thief ultimately stole the car. Go figure. This was a 1986 Mazda 626 GT 2 door so the complete lock set was about $500 and I did the work myself.

I doubt this is the cost of the same solution, but it may be your only solution to settle your nerves. Call the dealer and see what they recommend. Post up their suggestions.

steviej

[SKperformance]

I know my insurance covers replacing all keys and lock home/cars if stolen.

[mehullica]

The wireless code and immobilizer code can be erased at the dealer so only the key(s) you have will work. The thief can still open the door with the key cylinder, but not start the car. You'll have to get the cylinders and keys replaced to stop the theif cold.

[scooterdog]

The wireless code and immobilizer code can be erased at the dealer so only the key(s) you have will work. The thief can still open the door with the key cylinder, but not start the car. You'll have to get the cylinders and keys replaced to stop the theif cold.

You are exactly right mehullica - the dealer was able to squeeze me in last night right before they closed for the day, and it took all of 5 minutes to lock-out the stolen key code. At least we know for the next few days that the truck can't easily be stolen.

A replacement key and cylinder set needs to be ordered and pre-paid for, no returns allowed, so I'm going to double-check that the insurance will cover it. I understand it will cost in the neighborhood of $1000.

The locks were changed easily enough yesterday, but of course I come down with a case of strep-throat with a fever of 102.6. After two hours of waiting to see a doc, the antibiotics are starting to do its thing, but I feel horrible. I won't be doing much celebrating today. :(

Thanks for all the replies - very helpful.

scooterdog

[SKperformance]

Leave the truck parked outside.

Get 2 small spikes inserted under the leather on the seat.

Have a large inverter or just use a HID ballast and hook it up to the spikes.

the voltage is enough to paralyse someone shortly but not kill them.

So you would get to catch them.

Otherwise let the insurance cover it.

[denslexusgx470]

I know this isn't much help, but is it true that per Toyota vehicle, only 5 spare keys are allowed to be made, by Toyota? I think I read this somewhere in the 4Runner manual, but couldn't remember reading it in the GX manual.

[SKperformance]

There is a predetermined number of programmed keys to the car like all Toyota's.

2 masters

1 valet

1 wallet case if applicable

and 1 more spare if needed. You can make a metal duplicate all you want just the car will only work with 5 keys.

I also would not bother changing the locks for now . The keyless entry won't work and using the key in the door will not get the truck to go anywhere.

[indiasfinest]

srry for your loss, if your car has NAV, it would have been better for him to take it, since we could track him down. then you would get all your stuff back and catch him.

[The G Man]

srry for your loss, if your car has NAV, it would have been better for him to take it, since we could track him down. then you would get all your stuff back and catch him.

So what are you saying. If a car has Navi, then you dont need to buy a LoJack system? Who would track your Navi's GPS location? The local police? Do they have the equipment to do it or would you need to go to a Toyota dealer? What if the car and the Navi is not on, there would be no GPS signal.

[Rx330driver]

you cant turn off the navi, just the screen. it would still be "working" in the car.

As for the GX, im afraid you will have to change the whole key compartment thingy, its a pricy thing, i had to change mine but lexus paid for it under warranty. btw, that really sucks!

ps. i still dont understand why you watch fireworks on july 1st.

[indiasfinest]

now i dont have the specifics, but you can track the car via the GPS,the police would probably do it. and no, you dont need lojack. (i read it somewhere, srry i dont have the source). i could be wrong but im pretty positive about it.

[SKperformance]

GPS technology is one way. Meaning the car knows where it is in reference to the satellites. For a vehicle to communicate its location it would use cell phone transmission for location verification through cell phone tower triangulation.

On star uses 2 way location thought both transmission.

[The G Man]

That makes sense, I did not think that a Navi could replace a LoJack.

[dcfish]

That makes sense, I did not think that a Navi could replace a LoJack.

Park it in your driveway, Put a camera on it with a motion sensor, Connect the motion sensor to a alert signal, Load a 30.06 with a scope preaimed. You can guess the rest.

If someone was to trespass on my property, AHHHHHH!!!! You can imagine what they would be in for. I used to hunt animals. Humans are much more invasive. I don't hunt animals that don't have guns. Bring it on.

[LEXIRX330]

That makes sense, I did not think that a Navi could replace a LoJack.

Park it in your driveway, Put a camera on it with a motion sensor, Connect the motion sensor to a alert signal, Load a 30.06 with a scope preaimed. You can guess the rest.

If someone was to trespass on my property, AHHHHHH!!!! You can imagine what they would be in for. I used to hunt animals. Humans are much more invasive. I don't hunt animals that don't have guns. Bring it on.

DC-

Make sure you don't get carried away and hit your car! :D

[dcfish]

That makes sense, I did not think that a Navi could replace a LoJack.

Park it in your driveway, Put a camera on it with a motion sensor, Connect the motion sensor to a alert signal, Load a 30.06 with a scope preaimed. You can guess the rest.

If someone was to trespass on my property, AHHHHHH!!!! You can imagine what they would be in for. I used to hunt animals. Humans are much more invasive. I don't hunt animals that don't have guns. Bring it on.

DC-

Make sure you don't get carried away and hit your car! :D

I really hate thieves. I guess I was ranting a little bit there.

[scooterdog]

ps. i still dont understand why you watch fireworks on july 1st.

It was a local Maryland thing (moved from SD about 9 months ago - need to update the profile), where there were several events on the 4th competing for eyeballs, and someone had a great idea to have a fireworks show over the weekend.

Update on the final costs: a replacement lock cylinder set / set of keys (but not the electronics for the keys - more on that later) cost a bit over $700 with labor. When I went to pick up the GX, I was surprised to be handed a new metal portion but the re-programmed 'back' electronic portion attached to it, and a second metal portion without any 'back' on it (thus no buttons).

The service advisor indicated there was some kind of problem, and that he'd order the electronic portion.

The following week, the advisor was on vacation, and I bring in the GX for service to get the second key programmed. 1+ hours later, the key was ready, only to be told that it would cost another $200! :(

Was able to knock 10% off the first bill, so it was $630, for the second I didn't bother, so the total to get this done was $830. (No labor was charged to reprogram the key.)

Now my insurance sends me a check last week, and covered in full an estimated cost of $1400 to replace the key to the GX, so I came out ahead some $570. Pretty happy about the insurance reimbursement, less than three weeks after the incident. This is the first claim I've ever made with my insurance company (who also carries my auto insurance, homeowner's insurance on two houses in CA, and personal liability), and I can't speak more highly of them.

Thanks for all the input - had to laugh about some of the security suggestions. :P

scooterdog

[steviej]

that is odd that the insurance company didn't want proof of the work being done. If they don't ask, don't tell them cause they will want their $570 back. :whistles:

steviej