Recently one of the keys broke on my '04 GS300. The metal part came out of the plastic housing as I was manually unlocking the car. I was thinking of just gluing it back in. Interestingly, the car would not start with just the metal part. I had to hold the black plastic body section close to the ignition before it would start. That makes sense as there is an activator chip in the key body.

Has this happened to anyone else?

Did the dealer replace it as a warranted item? My GS is still under warranty. This strikes me as a manufacturing defect being that I would expect a key to last rather indefinitely.

I am still waiting for a decision from the dealer. They were not certain what the cost of replacement would be.

Thanks.

 

cost of replacement is around $300 unless they give u a better deal u can maybe get it for around $210 i believe i paid atleast but i have friends at lexus...

 

my friend had the same thing happen to him the cost of replacement here is 35 for a new case. Go to the dealer and see what they say about it.

 

Try buying one on ebay, just the case, then replace it with your transponder. Some people on there can cut keys for you too.

 

Same thing happen to my key for my GS300, I just ordered a remote key case for less than $20 on ebay.

Ed

 

Keys break after a few years. Nothing to get excited about. Buy a shell on eBay and go have it cut at Ace Hardware. Put the transmitter from the old key in and you're done. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-2...spagenameZWDVW

 

Some keys do break. Mine is starting. If your car is under warranty then the dealer shoudl replace it with no problems. If you have an ext warranty from Lexus it may also be covered. A case at my dealer is about $65.00, a new key is about $195.00 plus $65.00 to program it.

 

I would avoid keys from the dealer unless its free or you don't have another master key to make new ones with. The blank shell I bought on eBay was $14 delvered, and I got it cut at Ace Hardware for $5. A new battery for the old transmitter cost $2.