Lexus key programming

Ok guys, my google foo is failing me.

I have a co-worker that has an old lexus GS. Good car but the transponder key has fallen apart as they are known to do.

He can buy the key and get it cut but no one will touch programming the transponder for under $300. The damn car is only worth about $2500.

So any advice on how to get the chip programmed?

Edit GS not ES and year is 1999

What year ES? What style of key - does it have the buttons on the key head or is it just a key? And I assume you're talking about the immobilizer programming and not the keyless entry programming.

You can usually get the fallen-apart key to still work by holding the pieces up next to the key slot when you put the key part in the ignition. Life will be easier if that works for your friend. If it does work then he can follow directions here:

http://www.keymam.com/ru/news_view.asp?newsid=58

assuming it falls within the years listed (1998-2003). Hope that helps.

it is a 1999 GS. Right now he is holding it up to the ignition. Just would like to get it fixed so he can give it to his daughter.

Thanks for the link

Can you take apart the steering column and permanently put the transponder part inside?

jimbob_racing wrote: Can you take apart the steering column and permanently put the transponder part inside?

We are going to try the link above.

That is plan b with a little gorilla glue on the inside housing of the mechanism

If it's the key with the three buttons (lock/panic, unlock, trunk) you should be able to move the transponder to the new key housing very easily, no need for programming.

If you'd like to program;
-Enter the car with a working pre-programmed key and close all doors.
-Simultaneously depress and release both the brake and the accelerator pedals.
-Within 5 seconds, insert the working pre-programmed key into the ignition. Do not turn the key.
-Within 15 seconds of inserting the ignition key, depress and release the accelerator pedal 5 times.
-Within 20 seconds, depress and release the brake pedal 6 times.
-Within 10 seconds, remove the working pre-programmed key from the ignition.
-Within 10 seconds, insert the newly cut transponder key into the ignition.
-Depress and release the accelerator pedal one time. The security light should now begin flashing to indicate that the computer is reading the new key and programming the system.
-Leave the new key in the ignition for at least 60 seconds. When the security light stops flashing, the programming process should be complete
-Start the vehicle using the new key to verify that programming was successful.

Since your "working" key is broken, don't insert it into the ignition, just hold the transponder up to it.

If all he has is the valet key, the above won't work.

And here is the remote function programming just in case;

1. Close and lock all doors. Unlock and open drivers door.
2. Put key into ignition and remove. Do not turn it on.
3. Using the electric lock switch. Lock and unlock 5 times. (Lock, Unlock, Lock, Unlock, Lock, Unlock, Lock, Unlock, Lock, Unlock)
4. Close and open drivers door.
5. Using the electric lock switch. Lock and unlock 5 times. (Lock, Unlock, Lock, Unlock, Lock, Unlock, Lock, Unlock, Lock, Unlock)
6. Put key into ignition. Turn to "ON" , turn off and remove.
7. You will see the door locks cycle by themselves.

If the door locks do not cycle (lock and unlock) by themselves then the car isn’t in programming mode and you must start over.

1. On the remote, press and hold the LOCK and the UNLOCK button at the same time for no more than 2 seconds.
2. On the remote, press the LOCK button for no more than 1 second.

AT THIS POINT, the locks should cycle by themselves ONE time. This means the procedure was accepted.

IF the locks cycle twice it has failed.

The most common reason for programming failure is because the car didn’t receive a good signal from the remote. To fix this problem try these tips. 1) Stand outside of the car while you are performing steps 8 and 9. 2) Don’t hold the remote buttons down as long.

As long as the car is still in programming mode you can keep trying steps 8 and 9 until you complete the programming. If you wait too long and the car exits the programming mode then you must start over.

After you get the remote to program then Close and open door to end programming procedure.

I just did this when I ordered new cut keys on ebay for my 98 GS400. They were much cheaper than a dealer - I think I paid $120 for 3 remotes and 1 valet key.

Programming instructions similar to what DuctTape wrote, for me getting the actual key part programmed wasn't too hard - make sure the pedals are pressed all the way down. Watch the security light to make sure it's started programming the new key.

For the remote part (lock/unlock/trunk), I had to fix my lock actuators before I could finish programming. When trying to lock/unlock the doors 5 times in a row, the back 2 actuators weren't working at time #4 or 5 and the car would recognize this and not allow you to continue with programming. If this is the problem, the fix is replace the actuators, or break them apart and replace the motors, or go super cheap and use some aluminum foil on the motor internals