After reading through most of this thread... I decided to replace one of my keys that has been wearing down quite a bit. Considering I've only used the same one for the last 4 yrs, it's been doing OK.

Here's what I got:



Here's what you need:

- replacement key
- original/worn/broken key
- heat gun/hairdryer
- tiny screwdrivers
- superglue?

Useful Links

- eBay Listings for "artiway" (seller I got mine from)
- Cheaper "Shell" Option (Coupon Code: CKC15 - 15% off, DDALL3A4CD78 - via RS3_tC)
- First Switchblade Key DIY
- Key Renovation Info
- Programming Instructions - if needed

Step 1

Gather stuff, remove guts.



Pop open your original key with a little flat head screwdriver and remove the inner button assembly thing. Should come out easily in one piece. This should be straight forward.







Step 2

Remove transponder.

This is the transponder:



Once you open your existing key, you'll need to remove the small transponder chip from the side of it. There is a little bit of glue/adhesive holding this in place. Fire up your heat gun/hairdryer and apply a little heat. Careful here though. You want just enough to loosen up the glue. Then pry out the chip with your little screwdriver (or whatever).





Step 3

Open up your fancy new key.

This should look familiar in some way:













Step 4

Time to put that transponder in its new home.

A tip from user WangeR here:
The orientation of the chip matters!

Should look like this:



A little drop of superglue on the bottom should hold it in place.

Step 5

Transfer your old key's guts!

If you jump back to the first few steps, you removed the button assembly thing from your old key. Now you put that assembly into this new key. To do so, you need to remove the two smallest screws from the faceplate of your new fob.

NOTE: You may have to trim some of the inner foam to get the "guts" to fit in the proper orientation. The first one I got was already cut up so mine went right in. Your panic button should be towards the top or the pivot of the actual key. I think by default, these are made so that it would be at the bottom.

Sorry I kind of spazzed here and didn't take any pics of this part.

NOTE: Take note of which buttons are which. You may have to swap the little silver buttons on the fob to match up with your old key's layout. Just make sure to do this before you apply the adhesive faceplace.

Reassemble your new fob. But WAIT to put on the adhesive part. You'll want to do final testing before doing that - just to make sure you don't waste it.

Step 6

Cut the key.

I was able to go to a Home Depot and they cut it for free. No questions, no problems. Other users have reported mixed experiences... so yours may vary. Try Lowes. Try a local hardware store. Just make sure they're OK with it - if they're scratching their heads thinking "well, let's give it a try" ... you may want to find another place.

Cutting tips from 05_TRD_tC
Hopefully that helps if you're having trouble finding a cutter.

Step 7

TEST your fancy new key.

Make sure the car starts. Make sure the lock/unlock works. Test the panic if you have an alarm. If everything works - put the stickers on that badboy and call it a day. You're done.

Follow Up

Thoughts on the FOB... it actually seems to be of decent quality. The front plate is actually some sort of brushed metal (though extremely thin, obviously). The rest of it feels pretty sturdy - especially compared to my OEM key that it is replacing! So far I give it two thumbs up. And based on some of the pics I've seen of that other one where you swap your guts into it, I think this one might hold up a little better. I hope.

You should NOT need to do any programming (though I linked the instructions at the top). If you're transferring the innards from your existing key, there should be no programming involved. Thanks to jaywo for suggesting the (apparently not so) obvious of taking my OEM key's guts and putting them into this new key. I guess I didn't think of it b/c I wasn't sure if it would fit.

Final pics:

 

hmmm.. watching...

 

Toyota should give options for keys haha =P

 

Or at least make it easier to get one... instead of me having to order from Taiwan on eBay.

 

Watching

 

wow this would be so cool..I would rock that in a heart beat if you make it work

 

watching!

 

Watching!

 

lol watching

 

Watching...

 

watching as well

 

Im curious on the quality I ordered the other one and its not that great..

watching!

 

Just got the email that the label was printed... he says I should usually have it in 8-11 business days. Grr... stupid oceans.

 

watching, I had to jb weld my key together this weekend becuase it broke.

 

Watching.....Thanks for posting a thread about!

 

Since I got that email the other day about him printing the shipping label, I'm going to assume it has shipped at this point. Not expecting it for another couple weeks though. At some point in this time frame, I will likely start the hacking away at my other key to get the transponder out.

Pics will come forth from that... not sure when though.

 

is the key metal or plastic. from the pic it almost looks like brushed aluminum..
anyway. ill be watching. ive been meaning to do this. just wasnt willing to chop up a perfectly good key

 

I'm curious of the same thing. I'm hoping for the brushed metal like the pic makes it appear. But who knows. I guess I could have asked before I ordered... but where's the fun in that?

Like I mentioned, the face of my key is kind of wearing through, so I figured I might as well slice it up if I'm going to replace it one way or another (plus, I have another perfectly good key to use in the meantime that has never been touched since I bought the car).

 

interesting...
...watching!

 

It's pretty easy to get the immobilizer out of the stock key. You don't have to cut it out like
I did with a Dremel in my DIY thread. Just get an eyeglass screw driver and a hair dryer.

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