QuestionHi,
Ive lost my remote access key to my 2005 model Toyota Yaris. Ive called up many dealerships for a replacement and as I read in a previous answer you gave on a similar topic all they see is dollar signs.
So on the eve of forking out I did some research online to see if it was my only option. Thankfully, it wasnt but there are many processes and queries that I would like clarified before I go right ahead. Because either way its better than spending $400.
First of all I found a aftermarket key that was being sold on ebay. What do you think of aftermarket accessories and whether or not they are reliable.
Secondly it is sold as a 06 07 model key, will that have any affect as mine is 2005.
Thirdly, as my car is installed with an immoboliser, therefore, to get a new remote access key to be compatible and operable with my car I must take it in to the dealership. But I have found a manual online about programming keys to the immoboliser, is this something worth trying or are immobolisers too complicated to be tampered with. The instructions seemed simple enough, something along the lines of open doors, put key in, pull key out, push lock/unlock so many times... and some steps later a cycle has kicked in. Is this what the mechanics would be doing anyway? Is this just another form of scamming more money off unwary customers? However, I could be wrong and having the car totally immobolised would be alot worse.
Also with going into the dealership, would they be able to tell if the key is an aftermarket accessory? If so could this cause problems?
I apologise for the numerous questions and extremely long paragraphs but i thought I would write all my queries in one go instead of constant daily pestering.
Thank you for your time and i really appreciate any advice you can give me.
AnswerHi Caroline,
Lotta questions there. I appreciate you doing a little research before asking the question, especially reading my past Q&A's. That's something that almost no one does so I usually get the same questions week after week. Enough of my babbling.
I'm not going to answer your questions in order, I hope you don't mind.
Will the dealership know if the key is aftermarket? Who cares. As long as the item performs to YOUR standards, stop worrying what others think. It won't cause any problems either, if they refuse to work on your car BECAUSE of an aftermarket key, consider yourself one of the lucky ones who escaped the money-grubbing hands of the dealership! RUN!
The more I read of your question, the more I wondered to myself why you are even asking it. You don't seem naive and even if you don't know alot about cars, no one would be able to tell.
You couldn't be more correct in thinking those 'sequence-keys' are just a scam. The code isn't the scam, it's the dealer/mechanic charging you outrageous amounts of money to do it. Yeah, he probably had to pay for schooling as well as the sequence-keys from the manufacturer. that's right, All manufacturers, save for a small handful, charge for EACH sequence-key you want. So if you want to know how to disable the 'change oil' light after 3000 miles on newer GM cars, you'd have to pay around $10.00 to find out it is a simple turn key on and pump the throttle three times code.
Where did these sequence-keys come from? Blame the youth of yesterday and Nintendo...lol. But seriously, that's no joke and the worst part is there is very little compiled information about those codes. They truly are one of the best-kept secrets in the automotive industry.
If you have an '05, make certain the '06-'07 key those people are selling are compatible with yours.
What do I think of aftermarket? Well, for some items, aftermarket is a good resource and for others, it is not. I would think electrical items would be pretty standard whether manufactured by OEM or aftermarket. For plastic, metal and other body-type items, OEM pieces are stronger and they fit perfectly. At my facility we ONLY sell OEM.
Thanks for the question, I hope this information was helpful to you.
Fred
www.knucklebusters.us
570-453-0910
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