Lost My Only Key; Is The Dealer The Only Option?

[dkp]

I'm afraid that I lost the only key I have for my 2000 LS400 yesterday. Unfortunately for me, it appears my only course of action is to have the onboard security computer replaced by the dealer. I spoke with the parts department today and was informed that Lexus will most likely pick up the cost of replacing the computer but that I will need to purchase two keys ($225/ea) and cover the programming (around $100). Perhaps the only good news about is that I would then be able to use the keyless entry feature of the car as the wholesaler I purchased through did not provide these with the vehicle. (I was provided with the valet-key).

Can anyone suggest another way to go about this or am I just plain stuck?

I purchased the vehicle last fall and have been exceedingly pleased thus far.

[djspawn00]

I've seen well equipted locksmiths do the work for a few hundred without replacing the computer... I think they reflashed it or something... I'm not certain how they've done it but I've seen it done at parking garages where employees have lost the customers car keys somehow as well as used car dealerships where once again employees have lost the keys.

[dkp]

I've seen well equipted locksmiths do the work for a few hundred without replacing the computer... I think they reflashed it or something... I'm not certain how they've done it but I've seen it done at parking garages where employees have lost the customers car keys somehow as well as used car dealerships where once again employees have lost the keys.

Thanks for the reply, djspawn. Do you know if they were able to do this on 2000 model year and before systems? The dealer stated that the 2001-present LS's were equipped with "flashable" alternatives but the 2000 and earlier years were not. Hence the need for replacing the computer.

This will rank up there with some of my best work.

[92silverls400]

I'm afraid that I lost the only key I have for my 2000 LS400 yesterday. Unfortunately for me, it appears my only course of action is to have the onboard security computer replaced by the dealer. I spoke with the parts department today and was informed that Lexus will most likely pick up the cost of replacing the computer but that I will need to purchase two keys ($225/ea) and cover the programming (around $100). Perhaps the only good news about is that I would then be able to use the keyless entry feature of the car as the wholesaler I purchased through did not provide these with the vehicle. (I was provided with the valet-key).

Can anyone suggest another way to go about this or am I just plain stuck?

I purchased the vehicle last fall and have been exceedingly pleased thus far.

try these website, www.streetkeys.com or www.keylessride.com got this website from my brother in law. they can get you remotes and keys for your car.

[dkp]

I'm afraid that I lost the only key I have for my 2000 LS400 yesterday. Unfortunately for me, it appears my only course of action is to have the onboard security computer replaced by the dealer. I spoke with the parts department today and was informed that Lexus will most likely pick up the cost of replacing the computer but that I will need to purchase two keys ($225/ea) and cover the programming (around $100). Perhaps the only good news about is that I would then be able to use the keyless entry feature of the car as the wholesaler I purchased through did not provide these with the vehicle. (I was provided with the valet-key).

Can anyone suggest another way to go about this or am I just plain stuck?

I purchased the vehicle last fall and have been exceedingly pleased thus far.

try these website, www.streetkeys.com or www.keylessride.com got this website from my brother in law. they can get you remotes and keys for your car.

Thanks for the links, silverls. I checked them both out and will get in touch with them asap.

[92silverls400]

I'm afraid that I lost the only key I have for my 2000 LS400 yesterday. Unfortunately for me, it appears my only course of action is to have the onboard security computer replaced by the dealer. I spoke with the parts department today and was informed that Lexus will most likely pick up the cost of replacing the computer but that I will need to purchase two keys ($225/ea) and cover the programming (around $100). Perhaps the only good news about is that I would then be able to use the keyless entry feature of the car as the wholesaler I purchased through did not provide these with the vehicle. (I was provided with the valet-key).

Can anyone suggest another way to go about this or am I just plain stuck?

I purchased the vehicle last fall and have been exceedingly pleased thus far.

try these website, www.streetkeys.com or www.keylessride.com got this website from my brother in law. they can get you remotes and keys for your car.

Thanks for the links, silverls. I checked them both out and will get in touch with them asap.

I haven't use them, so let us know how much you saved and how reliable they are.

I also have a 2000 LS400 platium edition. with 93K miles, purchased it used 2 years ago with 75K miles

[SKperformance]

A lock smith can get you in the car to retrieve the keys.

You must have 1 working key to re flash the computer.

No working key programmed and it needs to have a scanner hooked up to it.

I am unsure of the possibility of using the tool to add a key but i think it can be done with out the computer being replaced unlike the older systems.

[dkp]

A lock smith can get you in the car to retrieve the keys.

You must have 1 working key to re flash the computer.

No working key programmed and it needs to have a scanner hooked up to it.

I am unsure of the possibility of using the tool to add a key but i think it can be done with out the computer being replaced unlike the older systems.

The good news is that the car is unlocked so if it needs to be taken to a dealership I will not be out the locksmith fee for getting into the vehicle. However, I don't think this computer is "flashable." I will check into this further tomorrow.

Thanks for all of the help.

[dkp]

The two sites mentioned earlier in the thread (and a few others) show a variety of keys. Would someone mind posting either a pic of your key or a link to what the original should look like? I'm trying to get all my ducks in a row before tomorrow morning. I would be interested in seeing both the valet and remote-access keys if possible.

Thanks again.

[92silverls400]

the website "streetkeys.com". the keys that they are showing is the correct one, I just compare mind with the one showing. so put in the year of your vehicle, the make and model, do not have keys, and that is the one that I have. hope this help you.

[dkp]

The aftermath: I contacted streetkeys.com (Manny=owner, nice guy) and found them to be very helpful. Basically, you pull the ECM (located behind the glovebox on the '00 LS400), mail it to them along with a copy of your title/registration and driver's license and they ship you the keys you specify on their website. Good prices and fast service were promised. That, coupled with a money-back guarantee, and I was heading in their direction.

However, I ran out of time and found someone who could come out to the house and take care of it. I paid $300 for his services and a single master key (without keyless entry, etc). I await a price on a keyless entry model key but he expected it to run around $180 cut. That would put me at $480 for a master key and a keyless entry key.

Dealer cost was $550 (2-keyless entry keys $225 + one hour labor $105). The dealer told me that there are only four ECM's in the country and it would take about a week and a half to get it to their dealership (in MI). I probably would have gone that direction for a few bucks more if they'd had one in stock.

Oh yeah, I checked my insurance too. Evidently they don't cover stupidity. lol

Thanks for all of the help. Much appreciated!

EDIT: One key difference between using the non-dealer locksmith and the dealer was the ECM unit itself. Lexus will replace (one time ever) the ECM for the current owner of the vehicle. Their cost is around $1600 to do this and they require that you purchase the two keys and charge you an hour labor. Why they don't just "zap" the security chip on the Module like the locksmith did on mine is beyond me. This means that you would have a new ECM in your vehicle which may be enough to sway some in that direction.

[SKperformance]

Who said they don't end up flashing the ecm instead of replacing it and charging you for it anyway.

I would not doubt that is what they end up doing and just use the scan tool to add it.

[dkp]

Who said they don't end up flashing the ecm instead of replacing it and charging you for it anyway.

I would not doubt that is what they end up doing and just use the scan tool to add it.

I must admit that was my first thought as well. However, that doesn't make sense as I was willing to get the car or computer to them that day and they did have time to do the work but the computers were in CA, hence the delay...

[UncleOOPS]

I happened across this document a few months ago. It tells you how to add/replace/delete keys from the 2000 LS400s. You can also purchase after market keys from the company. Hope it helps!

key_transponder_application_guide.pdf

[dkp]

I happened across this document a few months ago. It tells you how to add/replace/delete keys from the 2000 LS400s. You can also purchase after market keys from the company. Hope it helps!

A couple of points:

1) The instructions in the link are good only after the chip is reset or the computer is replaced or if you have a master chipped key.

2) The instructions included in the pdf attachment in the Lexus/Toyota section are different than the ones that my locksmith had in his book. (Instructions may be year-specific). He hit the gas pedal six times and the brake five times along with several other steps. However, different steps are performed depending upon the access you would like to grant to the specific key being programmed. For example, a valet key will often not be given trunk, glovebox or access to program additional keys.

[Jbush]

You now can make your Lexus additional car key from a guy in Dollar store near Finch and Weston in the west end of Toronto. Very professional guy and much cheaper than dealership.

JBush