I have an '04 with the big Smartkey and wanted to know if it is possible to upgrade to the new style key. Has anyone done this and if so, what is the process?

 

The two keys have different FCC numbers, which means they're on different frequencies, so most likely you would not be able to link the two up because they won't be able to read each other.

If this is not the case and someone has proof, I'd love to know too because I would like to have the new key also. The former Smartaccess key is just too long to fit in the pocket well.

 

I agree on the size issue...I had a new car for a few days while the dealer was fixing a couple of small issues that we negottiated in the sale, and I love the new key style. My old style one is just too bulky and doesn't work well with a key ring and house key. With all the craetive fixes on here, someone has to have figured this out. I had a Volvo C70 prior to this car and you could switch the chip in those to the new case (not Smartkey, but same principle, right?).

 

Wish Lexus could get the keys thinner, still bulky in my pocket!!

 

I guess theoretically you could, if you could jimmy rig the new case to take the old inner components with even more fiddling to get the buttons to line up through some reworking. The old buttons were lock/panic, unlock, trunk, while the new one is lock, unlock, trunk, panic.

Anyway, it would be a long stretch if you wanted the button functionality along with the inners. I would say, probably not doable unless you just wanted the wireless functionality.

What I can see someone doing is taking the inners and then putting a "home-made" housing to just hold that inner. The button functions are really on the inner part anyway, so you'd have a nice little 1/2" x 1/2" little "key."

 

honestly.................it would be nice if there were a way for you to convert the ignition to a push button start like the new lexuses. Is that even possible?

 

The guts of the Avalon's smartkey system are identical to the LS's, yet the avalon fob is MUCH smaller. It doesn't have the nice big "L" on it, but I wouldn't mind settling for it. Unfortunately, however, the button arrangement is dissimilar so it won't work with the lexus guts.

 

here it is, the best solution (LS600hL CC Key) but I'm sure you can get this to work with the LS430...

 

Anyone have a picture of this 'new key' that people are referring to?

 

Again, coming back to keys... the system and frequency of signal is probably different, thus the different FCC numbers on back. Just like garage openers that prevent the same Genie remote from running off other Genie openers.

If someone's willing to take a $270 chance on the LS600 key, let us know.

 

Are you guys referring to this smartkey?



Even if it could work as a smartkey, then you can't insert the key into the ignition slot in case the battery dies on the remote. Don't the newer Lexuses have pus start instead of the turn ignition?

 

Like i asked earlier.....would it be possible to swap out the standard ignition switch for a push button start like the ones on all 07+ lexus models?

 

anything is possible!!! it's all about the $$$ and how much it's worth to you... probably cost too much. I'm sure both new keys can be programed to work with the LS430, but who knows for sure?

 

I don't ever remember seeing a metal key as part of the new push button fobs. I believe on the new ones, if the transmitter battery dies, you start the car by holding the fob close to the push button until a green light comes on, then you push the button to start the car. This implies the chip is built into the pushbutton unit or is directly behind it. I've seen people in Japan wire up their toyota trucks with pushbutton start, so I'm sure it's possible to swap out the key cylinder for a pushbutton, but it would at least require schematics for both push button and smart key ignition systems and preferably photos of the smart key cylinder and pushbutton.

 

The newer SmartAccess key and fob is made by Denso. The older one is made by Tokai Rika, and I believe the 2nd gen Prius uses similar system as the LS430...