Key different from 2000 - 2002
07-06-05, 06:19 AM
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Key different from 2000 - 2002
My wife recently bought a certified 2002 RX300. Only one key, and we are waiting on the second key from the dealer--which I assume will be a valet key. I want to get a third key. Here is my question:
It sure would be convenient to just buy a blank and put the electronics from one of our 2000 Keys into that, then reprogram it with the 2002, but the postings I have seen on eBay show a different key for 2002 than for 2000. It would appear I have to buy a whole new key.
Does anyone have insight on this? The keys look the same. What is different?
It sure would be convenient to just buy a blank and put the electronics from one of our 2000 Keys into that, then reprogram it with the 2002, but the postings I have seen on eBay show a different key for 2002 than for 2000. It would appear I have to buy a whole new key.
Does anyone have insight on this? The keys look the same. What is different?
07-06-05, 06:30 PM
#2
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Key blank means un-cut key. {imobilizer discussion is another subject}
There are groves cut in the key to make it unique (as best as a manufacture can. Kind of silly with millions of vehicles sold ... the manufacturer plays with variables like region in which the vehicle is destined/sold). Since this uniqe cut/groove personalizes the key to operate (able to turn) the locks and ignition switch, owners dont feel comfortable if any other RX owner can get into their RX.
Once the manufacturer has produced enough keys where they are duplicating keys they switch to another blank. The other blank usually has the slot at another point and the key does not fit into the key hole meant for the first blank.
The key blank is least of the problems. The imobilizer is the costly piece. The blanks can be obtained from dealer at fraction of the cost of the imobilizer and even locksmiths can get you the proper blanks.
Salim
There are groves cut in the key to make it unique (as best as a manufacture can. Kind of silly with millions of vehicles sold ... the manufacturer plays with variables like region in which the vehicle is destined/sold). Since this uniqe cut/groove personalizes the key to operate (able to turn) the locks and ignition switch, owners dont feel comfortable if any other RX owner can get into their RX.
Once the manufacturer has produced enough keys where they are duplicating keys they switch to another blank. The other blank usually has the slot at another point and the key does not fit into the key hole meant for the first blank.
The key blank is least of the problems. The imobilizer is the costly piece. The blanks can be obtained from dealer at fraction of the cost of the imobilizer and even locksmiths can get you the proper blanks.
Salim
Last edited by salimshah; 07-06-05 at 06:37 PM.
07-06-05, 10:02 PM
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If you have an extra key from your 2000 you can buy a shell and blade and have it cut to your 2002 and insert your 2000 electronics parts into that shell and blade.
The electronics part is the same for all RX300's. It is different for the RX330.
Take care,
Tami
The electronics part is the same for all RX300's. It is different for the RX330.
Take care,
Tami
Originally Posted by mmahamm
My wife recently bought a certified 2002 RX300. Only one key, and we are waiting on the second key from the dealer--which I assume will be a valet key. I want to get a third key. Here is my question:
It sure would be convenient to just buy a blank and put the electronics from one of our 2000 Keys into that, then reprogram it with the 2002, but the postings I have seen on eBay show a different key for 2002 than for 2000. It would appear I have to buy a whole new key.
Does anyone have insight on this? The keys look the same. What is different?
It sure would be convenient to just buy a blank and put the electronics from one of our 2000 Keys into that, then reprogram it with the 2002, but the postings I have seen on eBay show a different key for 2002 than for 2000. It would appear I have to buy a whole new key.
Does anyone have insight on this? The keys look the same. What is different?
07-07-05, 05:29 AM
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Originally Posted by tamicalhou
If you have an extra key from your 2000 you can buy a shell and blade and have it cut to your 2002 and insert your 2000 electronics parts into that shell and blade.
The electronics part is the same for all RX300's. It is different for the RX330.
Take care,
Tami
The electronics part is the same for all RX300's. It is different for the RX330.
Take care,
Tami
But any idea why someone would advertise the 1999-2000 as different from the 2000-2001?
Last edited by mmahamm; 07-07-05 at 05:35 AM.
07-07-05, 05:35 AM
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Originally Posted by salimshah
Key blank means un-cut key. {imobilizer discussion is another subject}
There are groves cut in the key to make it unique (as best as a manufacture can. Kind of silly with millions of vehicles sold ... the manufacturer plays with variables like region in which the vehicle is destined/sold). Since this uniqe cut/groove personalizes the key to operate (able to turn) the locks and ignition switch, owners dont feel comfortable if any other RX owner can get into their RX.
Once the manufacturer has produced enough keys where they are duplicating keys they switch to another blank. The other blank usually has the slot at another point and the key does not fit into the key hole meant for the first blank.
The key blank is least of the problems. The imobilizer is the costly piece. The blanks can be obtained from dealer at fraction of the cost of the imobilizer and even locksmiths can get you the proper blanks.
Salim
There are groves cut in the key to make it unique (as best as a manufacture can. Kind of silly with millions of vehicles sold ... the manufacturer plays with variables like region in which the vehicle is destined/sold). Since this uniqe cut/groove personalizes the key to operate (able to turn) the locks and ignition switch, owners dont feel comfortable if any other RX owner can get into their RX.
Once the manufacturer has produced enough keys where they are duplicating keys they switch to another blank. The other blank usually has the slot at another point and the key does not fit into the key hole meant for the first blank.
The key blank is least of the problems. The imobilizer is the costly piece. The blanks can be obtained from dealer at fraction of the cost of the imobilizer and even locksmiths can get you the proper blanks.
Salim
The question was: I have noticed on eBay, that there are some separate listings for the keys for 1999-2000, and 2001-2003. I did not want to keep my key from my 2000, to insert the electronics into a blank, only to have the immobilizer not be programmable for my 2002.
07-07-05, 09:42 AM
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Originally Posted by mmahamm
Thank you! So I can buy one of these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...984864396&rd=1 have it cut, insert my electonics in the head, and program it and it will work in my 2002. That's what we will do.
But any idea why someone would advertise the 1999-2000 as different from the 2000-2001?
But any idea why someone would advertise the 1999-2000 as different from the 2000-2001?
As to why someone would advertise the 99-2000 as different from the 2000-2001... I have no idea. Well, I do have an idea but it is basically because they don't know any better.
There are some models that have different keys during certain years but the RX300 isn't one of them. The transponder chip was changed on the RX330 model.
Take care,
Tami
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