amc1995

Hey all. New to this forum, but I'm hoping someone on here can help me out? I lost my only key to my '01 es300. My car is way out in the boonies in Arkansas, with no shops or tow companies even close to nearby.. almost 2 hours from where I live. Im very broke right now, and the absolute cheapest quote I got to have a new key cut and then programmed to work for my car is $700.. not to mention the outrageous cost of getting my car towed to the place. So I'm trying to find a way, if it's even possible, to hotwire my car or start it without the key, just so I can get the thing back to my house until I have the money to get this taken care of. I have to find a way to get my car off of the property it's on. It's stuck out at this log cabin air b&b, and they need it out of there! Any information at all on this would be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you!

LeX2K

You can't. The computer requires the key to send a transponder code without it the ECU will cut fuel and the engine won't run. There are services on Ebay that will reprogram your computer and send it back to you
https://www.ebay.com/itm/112609783597
Or find a local locksmith some offer the same service.

Arsenii

Hello,

Sorry to say that, but you will not be able to hot-wire your 2001 Lexus ES300. The problem is that this car already has an immobilizer, which will prevent it from starting if it doesn't see the chip embedded in the key.
What you can do to move the car is break the ignition lock to unlock the steering wheel, and then use a button on the top-left of the shifter to unlock the gearbox. With all that, you will be able to push or tow the car with any other vehicle.

The code for the immobilizer is stored in the ECU, so if you are really lucky, you may be able to find an ECU with the correct key for it. If so, you can get to the key reader on the lock, and put the key near it, and then get to the ignition switch behind the ignition lock, and turn it with the screwdriver.
You can also try an ECU hack that Speedkar9 showed a while ago. That will allow you to add a new key to the ECU without having to go to the dealer.


Hope this helps and best of luck!

amc1995

Ah, well thank you. This thing has 300,00 miles on it already, so I'm afraid it just isn't worth the money I'm gonna have to spend on it for this. If this key doesn't turn up within the day, I'm just gonna have to have it towed somewhere nearby to have it scrapped or parted out. Thank you both for taking the time to reply. The info was very helpful

BMeek

@Lexus2000 and @Arsenii summed it up well. I like this 2-year-old post from @dadoo because gives some more specific advice for resolving the same situation on a 1998 3rd-generation ES300 for under $150 (I think it all applies to the '01 provided you get your correct ECU part#).

BMeek

Bummer. My last post forgot that you also need a key cut to fit your car. Do you have the key code for this? If not, I think a dealer can give you the key code from the VIN if you prove ownership.

PFB

The only thing that’s can save you if you are an AAA member