Lost your car key remote or need to program a new one for your Toyota or Lexus vehicle? You might be surprised to learn that in many cases, you can program a new key fob yourself without a trip to the dealership and the associated expensive fees. This guide will walk you through two different procedures to program your Toyota or Lexus keyless entry remote, covering a range of models and years. Whether you have a newer or older vehicle, follow these step-by-step instructions to get your remote working quickly and efficiently.
Programming Procedure for Newer Toyota and Lexus Models
This procedure is the most common method for programming key remotes for many newer Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Follow these steps carefully:
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Preparation is Key: Begin by ensuring your key is completely removed from the ignition. The driver’s side door must be open and unlocked, while all other doors on your vehicle should be closed. This is crucial for the programming sequence to initiate correctly.
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Ignition Key Insertion (Part 1): Insert your key into the ignition switch, but do not turn it. Immediately remove the key. Repeat this insert and remove action a second time. This action is part of the sequence to prepare the vehicle for programming mode.
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Door Cycling (Part 1): Next, you need to cycle the driver’s side door lock. Close the driver’s door, then open it. Repeat this close and open cycle once more, ensuring the door is left open at the end of the second cycle.
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Ignition Key Insertion (Part 2): Insert the key into the ignition switch one more time, and then immediately remove it. This is another step in setting up the programming sequence.
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Door Cycling (Part 2): Again, cycle the driver’s side door lock. Close the driver’s door, and then open it twice, making sure the door remains open after the second cycle.
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Ignition Key Insertion (Part 3): Insert the key into the ignition switch and leave it in the “off” position. Do not turn the key to “on” or start the engine.
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Door Closure: Close the driver’s door.
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Ignition Cycling: Now, turn the ignition switch to the “on” position, and then immediately turn it back to the “off” position. After turning it off, remove the key completely from the ignition.
Confirmation of Programming Mode: At this point, if you have followed the steps correctly, the door locks should automatically cycle (lock then unlock). This automatic cycling is your confirmation that the vehicle has successfully entered programming mode and is ready to accept the signal from your new remote. If the door locks do not cycle, carefully go back to step 1 and repeat the entire procedure. If it still doesn’t work, you might need to use the alternative procedure detailed in the next section, or there could be an issue with your vehicle or remote.
Programming Your Remote: Once your car is in programming mode (indicated by the door lock cycling), take the remote you wish to program and perform the following actions:
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Simultaneous Press: Press and hold both the “lock” and “unlock” buttons on the remote simultaneously for approximately 2 seconds.
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Single Press (Lock Button): Release both buttons and then immediately press and hold just the “lock” button for about 1 second.
Verification: Watch the door locks. They should cycle once to indicate that the car has successfully accepted and programmed your remote. If the door locks cycle twice, this indicates that the remote was not accepted. In this case, try the remote programming steps again. If it consistently fails to program, you may have an incompatible remote, or there might be another issue.
Exiting Programming Mode: To exit the programming mode, simply open the driver’s side door. Remove your key from the ignition.
Testing Your Remote: Before celebrating, test your newly programmed remote. Ensure all doors are fully closed, as the remote functions will often be disabled if any door is ajar. Press the lock and unlock buttons to confirm they are working correctly.
Programming Procedure for Older Toyota and Lexus Models
Some older Toyota and Lexus models utilize a slightly different procedure for remote programming. If the previous method did not work for your vehicle, try this alternative approach:
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Initial Setup: Ensure the key is removed from the ignition. The driver’s side door must be open and unlocked, while all other vehicle doors are closed.
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Key Insertion (and Removal): Insert the key into the ignition switch and then immediately pull it out. This is a quick action to initiate the process.
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Power Lock Cycling (Part 1): Locate the power lock switch on the driver’s side door panel. Using this switch, press the “LOCK” button and then the “UNLOCK” button a total of five times in quick succession, ending with the door in the “UNLOCK” position. Speed and consistency are important here.
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Door Open and Close (Single Cycle): Close the driver’s side door and then open it once.
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Power Lock Cycling (Part 2): Again, using the power lock switch, press the “LOCK” button and then the “UNLOCK” button five times, ending with the door in the “UNLOCK” position.
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Ignition Cycling (Twice to “On”): Insert the key into the ignition switch and turn it from the “off” position to the “on” position twice in a row. Do not start the engine.
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Key Removal: Remove the key from the ignition switch completely.
Programming Mode Confirmation: Similar to the newer procedure, the door locks should cycle automatically if the vehicle has entered programming mode. If the locks do not cycle, return to step 1 and carefully repeat each step.
Remote Programming: Once in programming mode, take the remote you want to program and follow these steps:
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Simultaneous Button Press: Press and hold the “LOCK” and “UNLOCK” buttons on the remote simultaneously for about 2 seconds.
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Single Button Press (Lock): Release both buttons and then immediately press and hold only the “LOCK” button for approximately 1 second.
Verification and Troubleshooting: The door locks should cycle once to confirm successful programming of the remote. If the locks cycle more than once, it indicates the remote was not accepted. If this happens, try repeating the remote programming button presses. If it continues to fail, ensure you have the correct remote for your vehicle.
Exiting and Testing: Close the driver’s side door to finalize the programming procedure. Remove the key from the ignition and test the newly programmed remote to ensure it is working as expected.
*Troubleshooting Tip for Older Models:* Actuators in older vehicles can sometimes become weak or sticky. This can cause issues with the power lock switch not fully locking or unlocking the doors, especially during the rapid cycling required in steps 3 and 5. If you suspect this is happening, a helpful trick is to manually assist the door lock mechanism while you are using the power lock switch. For example, as you are using the switch to lock and unlock, simultaneously use your hand to manually push or pull the door lock lever on the door panel. This can sometimes help the system register the lock/unlock cycles correctly and allow the car to enter programming mode. It may take a bit of practice to get the timing right, but it can be effective in these situations.
By following these procedures, you should be able to successfully program your Toyota or Lexus car key remote and regain the convenience of keyless entry. Enjoy the ease of using your programmed remote!
