Lexus Key Replacement - Replacing a Remote Or Fob
If you have a traditional Lexus key that is used to turn on the ignition, or a smart key for your car that activates with the push of one button, eventually the battery in the fob will deplete. It is simple to replace it with the help of a paperclip. Simply take out the old battery, insert the new battery (refer to the owner's manual to determine the type of battery you need), then clip it back in place.
Keys
Lexus keys aren't simple to replace and require a specialist car key replacement locksmith to make a working spare. Each Lexus key comes with a microchip which must be programmed to connect with the immobiliser system in your vehicle.
This procedure takes time and requires special equipment to perform properly, and each model has a distinct programing procedure. Replacing keys or remotes is a costly service that should be left to professionals, unless you are equipped with the proper equipment and know-how.
Whether you have a conventional key that rotates in the ignition barrel, or an electronic key that starts the car at the touch of one button, both will eventually need their batteries replaced. This can be done by yourself, but you will need an inexpensive Phillips Screwdriver, a 20p coin and a paperclip. You will find two or three screws on the back of the fob of the key. Unscrew them, and keep them safe (they are small and easy to lose). The fob is removed, revealing an indentation that is circular where the key's metal surface will be. Pop replace lexus key out with the paperclip, and then insert the new battery, making sure that it's inserted correctly. Clip the inside of the metal key back together.
Remotes
Replacing the Lexus remote or fob can be difficult and requires skilled locksmiths who have the right tools and experience. Certain models require that the chip inside the key be changed in order to work with the vehicle's immobiliser system. These chips are programmed using different methods based on the model of Lexus. This is done using a special device which sends a code to the chip to unlock the doors or start the engine.
Certain Lexus automobiles are built with a single unit that incorporates the key head and remote. They are simpler to replace as no separate chip is required. This type of key is also a bit less expensive.
All fobs eventually lose battery power, no matter the kind of key. It can be frustrating, but with a little know-how you can get your Lexus up and running again. Check out the owner's manual to determine the type of battery you need. Find a replacement. Locate a small hole on the inside of your fob. Insert an amount of money (20p works well) into the hole and then twist. The fob should be revealed as a flat area that you can make use of a paper clip to remove.
Next, pop the old battery away and then insert the new one. Make sure that you insert the battery in the correct polarity. Finally, cut the inside of the fob back and replace the key with the metal.
Transponder Chips
More or less all new cars manufactured after 1995 have transponder chips inside the head of the key to disable the immobiliser system. If you've got a car key that has a chip inside it, the head is covered in a plastic cover which can be pulled off to reveal an L-shaped metal key. A transponder-chip replacement key or fob is a multistage process. It involves cutting the keys precisely and programming the chip to connect with the vehicle immobiliser.
Transponders are chips with Non-Volatile Memory. It has a set windings, which are very fine wires coiled around a tube. They look like those in an electric motor. These windings generate a signal for the car to read. If the code is correct it will allow the car to start.
There are two types of transponder chips. The first is called the 80-bit and the other is known as the circle + (General Motors). The first type is reusable, but it must be delocked using a specific machine to function in a different vehicle that is compatible. The second one is more difficult to use as the older keys could be broken, drilled, or thrown out when key cases are changed. They can be salvaged however and used with a service key that doesn't require a battery in order to function.
Immobiliser Systems
Immobiliser systems are electronic security devices that prevent thieves from starting your car. It operates by sending an electronic signal from your car to the key whenever you try to start it. The chip inside your key responds by sending an unique code that must match that in the vehicle in order to start. If the codes don't match, your engine will stop immediately to stop theft.
Modern smart keys and fobs have an embedded transponder chip that stores security information in a format that can't be easily duplicated. When the fob or key are inserted in the ignition, they send this code to the ECU. The ECU then compares it with the code stored in its memory and activates the ignition system and fuel circuit if they coincide. If the codes don't match then the engine will not start even when the ignition circuit has been damaged by a thief.
The procedure of replacing a key or fob involves an entire process that involves cutting the new key blade accurately and programming it so that it can be synced with your car's systems. There are a variety of immobiliser systems that are used in different years and models and each has the use of a unique programming method. We use Ross-Tech software to ensure that your replacement key is programmed correctly for optimum performance and maximum security.