Programming a key for a 2010 Toyota Highlander

[tpark]

I want to add a key to my 2010 Highlander, but the procedures I've seen on the internet to set the car into programming mode don't work. Is there some trick to doing this, or am I going to have to use an obd2 port tool to add the key? This vehicle apparently could come with the G chip or the 4D (dot) chip. Apparently you need a special programmer if you have the G chip, but the dot key was allegedly programmable without an external programmer, but I've not been successful. Is it possible that the vehicle has been programmed to disable this manner of programming? The procedure involves inserting the master key 4 times and leaving the key in on the fifth insertion, then opening/closing the door six times. The original is then extracted, and the security light should come on solid, but that doesn't happen for me.


This leads to another question - do you mostly clone keys, or do you program the keys into the ECU? It seems to me that for cases where you could add a cheaper key that programming might be better, but for cases where you have a good original and the tokens for the car type are expensive or it's not possible to program that car, cloning would be the way to go.

I saw a (relatively) cheap programmer from xtool - have you used their products? I'd rather buy equipment than make the Toyota dealership richer than I already have.


Thanks for any help you can provide.


--Ted.

[ltdbjd]

I don't know if the forum allows this info to be posted.

I sent you a PM. (OBP E)

[Squelchtone]

I don't know if the forum allows this info to be posted.

I sent you a PM. (OBP E)

Making a copy of a key sure, hot wiring a car, no.

[tpark]

Initially I was trying to save some money but now I want to figure out how to do it myself, even if I have to spend some money on hardware. Perhaps I can even get new fobs to work too. Years ago, I had one key replaced, and it was more than 200 bucks from the dealer. When we bought our most recent car (a Camry) it came with a combo key/fob thing, and the sales guy said "Don't lose that, it'll cost you around $450 to replace". I have two master keys for each vehicle, but I would like a spare as well. This whole exercise has already cost more and taken way more time than I thought it would, but at least I'm getting some insights into why new keys might cost so much.

[charby]

You can find keys online uncut for cheap , buyer be ware though they might not always been the right key. If it is a Remote head key combo check that the FCID number matches what is on your key/fob. I wouldn't invest in a key programmer just to do a single key. Take your vehicle and the key you purchase to a local locksmith Im sure they would be happy to cut and program the key for a fee but again probably will not guarantee anything you purchase yourself and not from them.

[bioggy]

Experience if you cannot clone the key chip, it will need to be directly programmed in with something like zedfull through the eeprom by soldering it to the board either way, not sure if thats the case with the highlander but i found most toyota need to be hooked up and dump file gotten etc. either that or get a key programmer tool to program it in

[tpark]

You can find keys online uncut for cheap , buyer be ware though they might not always been the right key. If it is a Remote head key combo check that the FCID number matches what is on your key/fob. I wouldn't invest in a key programmer just to do a single key. Take your vehicle and the key you purchase to a local locksmith Im sure they would be happy to cut and program the key for a fee but again probably will not guarantee anything you purchase yourself and not from them.

I got everything to work with not too much effort - the biggest headache was the stupid fob, there's a special button sequence you have to press (lock and unlock together, then lock) but it turns out you have to do it quickly, not within two seconds.

I did get the programmer, and I cut spares for both vehicles. One of them used the "dot" key (4d) and one was "H".

Bioggy - since I had the keys, I was able to program them without difficulty. If you have no key or only the valet key, then the ECU has to be replaced or reflashed.