Lost your car fob or need to program a new one for your 2008 Lexus RX400h? Don’t worry, programming your key fob yourself can save you a trip to the dealership and potentially a significant amount of money. This guide provides a step-by-step procedure to program your wireless remote transmitter for your 2008 Lexus RX400h. Follow these instructions carefully to successfully program your car fob and regain convenient access to your vehicle.
Step-by-Step Guide to Program Your 2008 RX400h Key Fob
Before you begin, ensure you have your new remote transmitter and that you are near your 2008 Lexus RX400h. The process requires a sequence of actions performed within specific timeframes, so it’s important to read through the steps completely before starting.
Preliminary Steps
- Driver’s Door: Make sure the driver’s door is open and unlocked.
- Ignition Key: Remove the key from the ignition switch. It’s crucial that the key is out of the ignition to start the programming sequence.
Alt text: Car key about to be inserted into the ignition switch of a vehicle, preparing for programming procedure.
Programming Sequence
The following steps must be performed within the specified time limits for successful programming.
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Insert and Remove Key (Twice): Insert the key into the ignition switch and remove it two times within 5 seconds. This initiates the programming sequence.
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Close and Open Driver’s Door (Twice): Within 40 seconds of step 1, close and then open the driver’s door twice. Ensure the door is fully closed and opened each time.
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Insert and Remove Key (Once): Insert the key into the ignition and remove it once. This is still within the 40-second window that started after step 1.
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Close and Open Driver’s Door (Twice Again): Within 40 seconds of step 3, close and open the driver’s door two more times.
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Insert Key into Ignition: Insert the key into the ignition switch and leave it in.
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Close Driver’s Door: Close the driver’s door.
Note: For some older Toyota models (listed in the original article, but not applicable to the 2008 RX400h), steps 5 and 6 are reversed. However, for your 2008 Lexus RX400h, follow the sequence as described: insert key first, then close the door.
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Select Programming Mode: Turn the ignition switch from “Lock” to “On” and back to “Lock” repeatedly at approximately 1-second intervals to select the desired programming mode. The number of times you cycle the ignition determines the mode:
- 1 time: ADD mode (adds a new remote without erasing existing ones).
- 2 times: REWRITE mode (erases all existing remotes and programs only the new ones). This is useful if you are concerned about lost or stolen remotes.
- 3 times: CONFIRMATION mode (confirms the currently programmed remotes – power locks will cycle to indicate the number of programmed remotes).
- 5 times: PROHIBITION mode (disables remote programming).
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Remove Key from Ignition: Take the key out of the ignition switch.
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Mode Confirmation: The power locks will cycle “lock” to “unlock” a number of times to confirm the mode you selected in step 7. Count the lock cycles to ensure you’ve selected the correct mode. If you selected Confirmation or Prohibition mode, opening the door will complete the procedure at this point.
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Transmitter Programming (For Add or Rewrite Modes): If you selected ADD or REWRITE mode, proceed with the following steps within 40 seconds of the door lock confirmation:
- A. Press Lock and Unlock Buttons Simultaneously: On your new car transmitter, press and hold both the Lock and Unlock buttons at the same time for about 1 to 1.5 seconds, and then release them.
- B. Press Lock Button: Within 3 seconds of step A, press and hold the Lock button on the transmitter for more than 1 second, and then release it.
- Success Confirmation: If the remote transmitter is successfully programmed, the power locks will cycle “lock” to “unlock” one time.
- Failure Indication: If there’s an issue with the remote or the procedure, the power locks will cycle twice. If this happens, double-check that you have the correct transmitter for your 2008 Lexus RX400h and repeat the entire procedure from the beginning.
- C. Program Additional Remotes: If you need to program more remotes, repeat steps A and B for each additional remote within the 40-second window.
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Exit Programming Mode: Open the driver’s door to conclude the programming mode. The power locks should cycle one last time to confirm the end of the programming sequence.
Understanding Programming Modes
- ADD Mode: This is the most common mode. It allows you to add a new remote to your vehicle’s system without deleting any previously programmed remotes. This is ideal when you are adding a spare key fob.
- REWRITE Mode: This mode erases all previously programmed remotes. Use this mode when you want to ensure that only the remotes you are currently programming will work with your vehicle. This is useful if you’ve lost a remote or suspect unauthorized access.
- CONFIRMATION Mode: This mode is helpful to check how many remotes are currently programmed to your vehicle. The number of lock cycles will tell you how many remotes are recognized by the system.
- PROHIBITION Mode: This mode is used to prevent any further remote programming. It’s less commonly used but can be activated to secure your vehicle’s remote access system.
Troubleshooting Tips
- Timing is Crucial: Ensure you are performing each step within the specified timeframes (40 seconds). If you exceed the time limit, the programming sequence may fail, and you’ll need to start over.
- Correct Remote: Verify that the remote you are trying to program is the correct type for your 2008 Lexus RX400h. Using an incompatible remote will prevent successful programming.
- Battery Condition: Ensure the battery in your new remote is new and has sufficient charge. A weak battery can sometimes interfere with the programming process.
- Start Over: If you encounter issues, don’t hesitate to start the entire procedure again from step 1. Sometimes a fresh start can resolve timing or sequence errors.
By following these detailed steps, you should be able to successfully program your 2008 Lexus RX400h car fob. If you continue to experience difficulties, it’s recommended to consult your Lexus owner’s manual or contact a qualified automotive locksmith or your local Lexus dealership for assistance.
