About Those Lexus Keys

"Gary Brown" <garyjbrown.TakeThisOut@charter.net> wrote in message
news:jTXxe.23180$B_3.8841@fe05.lga...
> My key for my wife's Lexus ('02 ES300) broke yesterday. The metal
> part broke away from the plastic. I could turn the metal part in the
> keyhole, the accessories came on, but it wouldn't start. Is there really
> some magic inside the plastic body required to start the engine?

Yes - a chip in the plastic part.

> If there is, is it dependent on the battery? Being stuck due to a dead
> key battery isn't very nice.
>
No.

> Also, what is the "master" key referred to? A specific key or any key
> already programmed for the vehicle?

The master key operates all the locks in the car. A sub or valet key
operates the door and the ignition but not the trunk or glove box.
>
> The pieces could be epoxied back together. Are there electrical
> connections inside that would interfere with this?

No.
>
> Thanks,
> Gary
>
The key probably broke because someone tried to force it with the steering
wheel in the locked position. With the steering wheel in the locked
position, the key will not turn in the ignition switch. When this happens,
relieve the pressure on the steering wheel by turning it to the left or
right a little bit, whichever way it will go, and then turn the key to
unlock the steering wheel.
--
Ray O
correct the return address punctuation to reply
 >> Stay informed about: About Those Lexus Keys 

On Mon, 4 Jul 2005 01:05:26 -0500, "Ray O"
<rokigawa RemoveThis @tristarassociatesDOT.com> wrote:

>The master key operates all the locks in the car. A sub or valet key
>operates the door and the ignition but not the trunk or glove box.

I have a 2003 ES300. I don't remember if it came with a valet key, but
it did come with two keys that operate all the locks in the car, plus
a "master key".

The dealer explained to me not to lose this "master key" as it
contains the security key for the whole system and would be needed to
cut a replacement key. Without it, the whole key system needs to be
changed and that is a big expense.
 >> Stay informed about: About Those Lexus Keys 

ixat wrote:
> On Mon, 4 Jul 2005 01:05:26 -0500, "Ray O"
> <rokigawa.RemoveThis@tristarassociatesDOT.com> wrote:
>
>
>>The master key operates all the locks in the car. A sub or valet key
>>operates the door and the ignition but not the trunk or glove box.
>
>
> I have a 2003 ES300. I don't remember if it came with a valet key, but
> it did come with two keys that operate all the locks in the car, plus
> a "master key".
>
> The dealer explained to me not to lose this "master key" as it
> contains the security key for the whole system and would be needed to
> cut a replacement key. Without it, the whole key system needs to be
> changed and that is a big expense.
>
Give this company a call, they call help you out.

http://www.frankslocksmith.com/reflash.html
 >> Stay informed about: About Those Lexus Keys 

I've heard of a number of Lexus owners who have experienced 'key fatigue'.
Lexus exclude the keys from all warranty cover and charge a fortune for
replacements.Consequently there is a lively market in replacement keys - but
still at a price.

I did write to Lexus UK to see if they would acknowledge that there was a
problem and ask what they intended to do. I never did get a response.
Perhaps they will claim that they never did receive my e-mail and then claim
that they know nothing of the problem.

Chris -
RX300 with 24k on the clock and two broken keys.



"Gary Brown" <garyjbrown.TakeThisOut@charter.net> wrote in message
news:jTXxe.23180$B_3.8841@fe05.lga...
> My key for my wife's Lexus ('02 ES300) broke yesterday. The metal
> part broke away from the plastic. I could turn the metal part in the
> keyhole, the accessories came on, but it wouldn't start. Is there really
> some magic inside the plastic body required to start the engine?
> If there is, is it dependent on the battery? Being stuck due to a dead
> key battery isn't very nice.
>
> Also, what is the "master" key referred to? A specific key or any key
> already programmed for the vehicle?
>
> The pieces could be epoxied back together. Are there electrical
> connections inside that would interfere with this?
>
> Thanks,
> Gary
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: About Those Lexus Keys 

"Chris" <chris DeleteThis @crathes.com> wrote in message
news:daqpfe$1a2$1@nwrdmz01.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com...
> I've heard of a number of Lexus owners who have experienced 'key fatigue'.
> Lexus exclude the keys from all warranty cover and charge a fortune for
> replacements.Consequently there is a lively market in replacement keys -
but
> still at a price.
>
> I did write to Lexus UK to see if they would acknowledge that there was a
> problem and ask what they intended to do. I never did get a response.
> Perhaps they will claim that they never did receive my e-mail and then
claim
> that they know nothing of the problem.
>
> Chris -
> RX300 with 24k on the clock and two broken keys.
>
>
>
> "Gary Brown" <garyjbrown DeleteThis @charter.net> wrote in message
> news:jTXxe.23180$B_3.8841@fe05.lga...
> > My key for my wife's Lexus ('02 ES300) broke yesterday. The metal
> > part broke away from the plastic. I could turn the metal part in the
> > keyhole, the accessories came on, but it wouldn't start. Is there
really
> > some magic inside the plastic body required to start the engine?
> > If there is, is it dependent on the battery? Being stuck due to a dead
> > key battery isn't very nice.
> >
> > Also, what is the "master" key referred to? A specific key or any key
> > already programmed for the vehicle?
> >
> > The pieces could be epoxied back together. Are there electrical
> > connections inside that would interfere with this?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Gary
> >
> >
>
>
My wife's 01 RX 300 key fell apart in her purse when the car was 2 years
old -- 24k. I found out then that the key was not covered under warranty
and cost over $200.00 to replace. The dealer did replace the key when I
complained -- as a goodwill gesture. We no longer own the car, however.
 >> Stay informed about: About Those Lexus Keys 

I have a friend who has a 99 ES300 that is blowing a fuse each time that he
turns the ignition switch. Can anyone help?

--

"Gary Brown" <garyjbrown RemoveThis @charter.net> wrote in message
news:jTXxe.23180$B_3.8841@fe05.lga...
> My key for my wife's Lexus ('02 ES300) broke yesterday. The metal
> part broke away from the plastic. I could turn the metal part in the
> keyhole, the accessories came on, but it wouldn't start. Is there really
> some magic inside the plastic body required to start the engine?
> If there is, is it dependent on the battery? Being stuck due to a dead
> key battery isn't very nice.
>
> Also, what is the "master" key referred to? A specific key or any key
> already programmed for the vehicle?
>
> The pieces could be epoxied back together. Are there electrical
> connections inside that would interfere with this?
>
> Thanks,
> Gary
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: About Those Lexus Keys 

<terryasu RemoveThis @bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:ZY3nf.29691$cA2.23056@bignews3.bellsouth.net...
>I have a friend who has a 99 ES300 that is blowing a fuse each time that he
>turns the ignition switch. Can anyone help?
>
If it immediately blows a fuse, then the problem is probably a hot wire
shorted to ground. Look for a chafed or cut wire in the wiring harness. If
an audio system or other accessory was recently installed, start looking in
those areas first.
--
Ray O
correct the return address punctuation to reply
 >> Stay informed about: About Those Lexus Keys