Gjohnson

Hey guys, I'm currently considering picking up a cheap 2001 GS300 from an insurance auction but there are no keys for the vehicle. What would I need to do to have a replacement key made? Is this something that can only be done at a Lexus dealership or can a mechanicaly inclined person perform this at home?

Thanks for any input, this will help me decided weather to pull the trigger on this deal or not. I won't know if the car runs and drives or even how many miles it has, until I can get a key made. If its really pricey to have the key made, it might not be worth the risk of having a dead engine. (unless I do another LS1 swap)

ntran18

iTrader: (27)

You can get a key cut using the VIN, but it will need to be programmed to the car. You should get a quote to cut & add the key to see if it's within what you are willing to spend.

SureShot

iTrader: (1)

call your local dealer and describe the situation to them and get a quote.

Gjohnson

Crap, that sucks. I guess I would need to have the car towed to the dealership to get that done. Man it would be so much easier if I could just find a key. Hmm, I guess I will try to call the dealership down the street to see how much that would run.

SureShot

iTrader: (1)

after you call, please post what they say. i always thought that you had to have 1 master key to program a new key.

also, if you haven't done so, register with sewellparts.com and be sure to click that you are a CL member.

http://lexus.sewellparts.com/accesso...2003/2809.html

Gjohnson

Ok, well I have an update. I just spoke with a parts guy at my local dealership and he explained the process of needing the new ECU and having a Lexus make a new key. He qouted me a price between $600 and $950. Then he also explained that the ECU was not reflashable by Lexus, but that I could have a Locksmith comeout and rekey the vehicle for me for around $250 to $300. He said that with a Locksmith license you can now buy a device that will allow the ECU to be reflashed and keyed by that locksmith. After the key has been made by the locksmith you can bring the new key to the dealership and they can create a new master key for you. He gave me the phone number to a locksmith that he usually refers clients too, so I'll give him a call and inquire.

ntran18

iTrader: (27)

I guess your dealer didn't invest in the key cutting machine. Last time I needed a key, I just handed them my VIN. They punched in the machine and 5 minutes later I have a working key.

SureShot

iTrader: (1)

i think thats because you still had a master key. with no key, its a more involved process.