So the inevitable happened yesterday. I lost the only key to my 2002 Toyota Solara SE. Some internet searching tells me that I am going to have to get the car towed to the dealership. I also learned that my key had a small transponder chip. Apparently there is no way of recreating this key so the only way is to get a new Engine Control Module and then cut and program a new key.

Has anyone else on here had a similar experience? any thoughts, suggestions ideas?

11/14/2013 8:02:13 AM

With the vin, and the car there, a dealership can program a new key. It is going to cost you about $200 for a new key.

11/14/2013 8:12:32 AM

^ Probably need to take the registration or a copy of the title with you. The BMW dealer required it (for obvious reasons) IIRC.
I hope it's not locked in the car.

BTW Wickerman...Burke Bros used to have key blanks without the chip for that era Toyota for a couple bucks each. I got a few made for my 4Runner...One to keep in the house, one for my travel duffel bag, one for the laptop bag I carry to work, etc. You can't crank the car with it, but it'll get you in if you lock yourself out. It's not a bad thing to have around once you get this sorted out.

[Edited on November 14, 2013 at 9:07 AM. Reason : s]

11/14/2013 9:00:20 AM

Talk to the dealer before you tow it there. Proof of ownership is sometimes all they need. Keep in mind that some dealers can't even make keys anymore, so they may have to order one from Toyota.

11/14/2013 1:24:39 PM

So after searching everywhere again, I remembered that my key bunch had the barcode card for my gym. I thought maybe someone would have turned it in there. But then I was like the people at the gym would have had the sense to scan the card and call me if they had it. I called them to inquire anyways. Turns out they had it! I lost the keys on my way to the laundromat yesterday, they had fallen out of my jacket pocket. My gym is about half a block away from the laundromat.

Thank god someone turned them in. I spoke to the dealer earlier today. They were like each key is like $60. So for 2 keys its $120 + 3 hours labor ($300)for installing new ECM and programming keys to it + cost of ECM. The total was coming out to $700-$800! this is not including the towing hassle. I was losing my mind! A new key for my 335i was $250.

Lesson learnt, just ordered a blank key from Amazon. Will get a duplicate made over the weekend.

11/14/2013 3:21:14 PM

^^ A helpful, non-trolling post from smc?

Must be a shared account...

11/15/2013 10:10:45 AM

Call around for dealerships on keys.

I got 1 keep repaired and an extra made for 120 in Charlotte. Cheapest I could find in Raleigh was 200.

11/21/2013 11:11:27 PM

Jesus, this is why I gave my father my spare set - I may have to wait a few hours, but he would come through

11/21/2013 11:25:35 PM

after all, he came through the first time didn't he, jaZon

11/22/2013 12:13:35 AM

11/22/2013 12:27:38 AM

walmart can make copies for ~$50 each, assuming you have the master

did it with my '09 sienna

11/22/2013 6:09:40 AM