Broken Ignition Key Plastic Shell

[IanXT4]

The black plastic Shell on one of my remote ignition keys has just broken.

It looks like I just need to purchase a new shell/key blank off eBay get the key cut and transfer the electronic module.

Looking on eBay there are loads of vendors, has anyone any recommendations ?

Many thanks

[Hoovie]

There is a very nice "flick-key" housing that you can get to suit the RAV4.2.5 key electronics. I would go for one of those as for an extra few quid or so, you can get a much more up-to -date style of key

This kind of thing :)

[firemac]

The black plastic shell on one of my remote ignition keys has just broken.

It looks like I just need to purchase a new shell/key blank off Ebay get the key cut and transfer the electronic module.

Looking on Ebay there are loads of vendors, has anyone any recommendations ?

Many thanks

I can recommend the Stanley Group in Southport, www.carkeyworld.co.uk .

They did one for our RAV a while back: £20 + VAT. Excellent service, came next day. On our 4.2 the black plastic fob & the blade are all one piece so they cut a new key from our key no.

Rgds,

Jim

[IanXT4]

There is a very nice "flick-key" housing that you can get to suit the RAV4.2.5 key electronics. I would go for one of those as for an extra few quid or so, you can get a much more up-to -date style of key

This kind of thing :)

Many thanks looks good, just like the wifes VW key.

Have you actually used one of these before, are they a decent quality ?

[Hoovie]

There is a very nice "flick-key" housing that you can get to suit the RAV4.2.5 key electronics. I would go for one of those as for an extra few quid or so, you can get a much more up-to -date style of key

This kind of thing :)

Many thanks looks good, just like the wifes VW key.

Have you actually used one of these before, are they a decent quality ?

You know, I never actually got to use it "in anger" as didn't get rounds to getting the key part cut, but I did fit the electronics part and play around with the mechanism and it felt 'right' if you get my meaning? good weight, nice flip with the right amount of spring to it, no creaking or bending.

I actually gave the fob to Big Kev for his missus' RAV4 and he DID get round to sorting it out with the blade getting cut - and by all accounts she loves it. Maybe he will be able to post an update if sober enough on his Birthday :D

[Big Kev]

There is a very nice "flick-key" housing that you can get to suit the RAV4.2.5 key electronics. I would go for one of those as for an extra few quid or so, you can get a much more up-to -date style of key

This kind of thing :)

Many thanks looks good, just like the wifes VW key.

Have you actually used one of these before, are they a decent quality ?

You know, I never actually got to use it "in anger" as didn't get rounds to getting the key part cut, but I did fit the electronics part and play around with the mechanism and it felt 'right' if you get my meaning? good weight, nice flip with the right amount of spring to it, no creaking or bending.

I actually gave the fob to Big Kev for his missus' RAV4 and he DID get round to sorting it out with the blade getting cut - and by all accounts she loves it. Maybe he will be able to post an update if sober enough on his Birthday :D

Heh heh...shmee here....blooturt on ma burfday....!!!!

That Glesga Flick Knife key fob works great, Ian, and wife does indeed think it betterer than the standard. Just got the Timpson's Cobbler Chap to cut a key. Be very careful when you open the flick one though, as a "primed" spring may come flying out, which must be re-primed by twisting in anticlockwise direction to make the blade pop oot.(ONE REV OF 180 DEGREES ONLY.) Any probs drop me a Prime Minister......

Big Kev

[SQUEALEYHEALEY]

I got one of the flick key fobs, but when I went to get the blank cut the Guy said it would be at my own risk as there is no sholder on the Toyota key. It would have to be alighed by the tip. With the fob it would not fit on his machine so I need to take it back when I've removed the blank!

[sniper9652]

The black plastic shell on one of my remote ignition keys has just broken.

It looks like I just need to purchase a new shell/key blank off Ebay get the key cut and transfer the electronic module.

Looking on Ebay there are loads of vendors, has anyone any recommendations ?

Many thanks

Hi Ian, When I first got my XT4 about 4 months ago the only disappointing thing was that the two keys I got with the car both had broken casings but the buttons and the mini PCB's where fine and worked OK!

I wanted this sorted and got an absolute extortionate price/quote off Mr T... thinking back it was well over £150!!

I trawled the net and eBay and took a chance with this repairer in Cambridge, I decided only to send 1 key initially to see what it was like on return! The key returned within 48hrs and it was just like a brand new OEM Key complete with Toyota symbol on the rear and a newly cut blade! ( I gave him the key No) To be honest I really think that these are original Toyota casings?

Within a day I sent the other one off to him with the same result on return!

I can't recommend this guy enough...a fair deal for a quality product, cost £40 for the 2 keys to be done!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-Rav4-2-3-Button-Remote-key-fob-REPAIR-SERVICE-/330521551420?pt=UK_Car_Accessories_Safety_Security&hash=item4cf49ea23c

Steve

[IanXT4]

Thanks for eveyones comments.

With regards to the "flick key" I found an interesting thread that gives more information on these here.

http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=130196

I have decided that this is a bit big for my pocket, so have ordered a couple of key blanks from various vendors on eBay and will report back on their quality.

[Big Kev]

There is a very nice "flick-key" housing that you can get to suit the RAV4.2.5 key electronics. I would go for one of those as for an extra few quid or so, you can get a much more up-to -date style of key

This kind of thing :)

Many thanks looks good, just like the wifes VW key.

Have you actually used one of these before, are they a decent quality ?

You know, I never actually got to use it "in anger" as didn't get rounds to getting the key part cut, but I did fit the electronics part and play around with the mechanism and it felt 'right' if you get my meaning? good weight, nice flip with the right amount of spring to it, no creaking or bending.

I actually gave the fob to Big Kev for his missus' RAV4 and he DID get round to sorting it out with the blade getting cut - and by all accounts she loves it. Maybe he will be able to post an update if sober enough on his Birthday :D

Heh heh...shmee here....blooturt on ma burfday....!!!!

That Glesga Flick Knife key fob works great, Ian, and wife does indeed think it betterer than the standard. Just got the Timpson's Cobbler Chap to cut a key. Be very careful when you open the flick one though, as a "primed" spring may come flying out, which must be re-primed by twisting in anticlockwise direction to make the blade pop oot.(ONE REV OF 180 DEGREES ONLY.) Any probs drop me a Prime Minister......

Big Kev

Sorry...above should of course read 360 degrees, and Andrew Squealey reminds me that when you open it, that is to remove the blade, which the Cobblers man copied perfectly with no comment re problematicalities.

Big Kev

[IanXT4]

A quick update, for anyone interested.

I bought two replacement key blanks off eBay,

The first was one of the many generic keys offered on eBay, I chose the vendor Goodtradegti as they seemed to have sold a lot of this type of key and it was very accurately described. This key was displayed as having a smooth back with no logo.

http://www.ebay.co.u...ME:L:OU:GB:1123

The second was chosen after reading Steves (Sniper9652) post, he had mentioned a key supplied by Topalloys looked OEM and had a Toyota Badge on the back.

http://www.ebay.co.u...:EOIBSA:GB:1123

Both Keys each cost under £4 delivered and arrived next day. Pictures are below, the Topalloys key is on the right. (My local Toyota dealer wanted £37 for a cut blank, with no electronic module)

Either key will do the job fine and the metal blanks looked identical. However, the Topalloys key feels as if it is made with a slightly better plastic and the back looks completely OEM. It even has the Toyota emblem recessed in the plastic and an original CE sticker (also recessed).

I ended up using the Topalloys key and keeping the other for a spare. My local lock cutter charged £5 to cut the key in an operation that took under 5 minutes. Transferring the electronic module inside the key takes 2 minutes and requires a small Philips screwdriver.

In summary, in future if I need any more replacement car keys I would probably try Topalloys key shop on eBay Auto-Keys-Direct first.

http://stores.ebay.c...sid=p4340.l2563

Thanks again Steve (Sniper9652)

[redlew]

I need a new keycase and thought that I would simply buy a new one from eBay for less that £5 , get the blank cut at a locksmiths for about £5 , swap over the internal electronic unit and hey presto job done.

However there is apparently a chip in the keyblade.

If I've understood correctly the internal electronic unit works the alarm and the chip the immobiliser.

So where is the chip in the keyblade and how do I extract it from the keyblade and put it in the new blade?

Thanks

[Tech01]

So far as I know, all the electronic components (lock/unlock, plus security slug) are in the module contained in the keycase. The blade is just solid brass.

These "empty" and uncut Toyota (and other) keys are also available from various suppliers on Amazon, and give-away prices.

Chris

[Cyker]

Some of the keys have a separate immobilizer transponder; I think if you search for topics about flip keys here you may find a relevant post.

IIRC it's in one of the corners just above the end of the key blade but its quite tiny.

[Cyker]

Found it:

http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/124231-flip-key-for-auris/page-6#entry1122512

[redlew]

Now I'm totally confused -the earlier postings suggested that there was nothing more than the internal square thingy to changeover but the last posting suggests that there is another thingy that needs drilling out of the old one and drilling into the new one, I think a trip to an auto key specialist is on the cards. I know there is one opposite the fire station in Gipton.

[Tech01]

To clear up the uncertainty about how many bits of your key are essential, why not try getting into and starting the car with "one bit at a time".

- Metal key profile obviously essential

- Then add the locking slug

- Then the alleged "ID slug" (these work cat-flaps, too) in its case

See what happens, and what doesn't.

Just a thought.

[Cyker]

Yeah, MOST remote keys have the chip built into the transponder module but a few do not.

The key type shown in IanXT4's post are all-in-one and are dead easy to switch over.

The one in the link I posted has the little transponder slug which needs to be extracted and put in the corresponding slot in the new spare.

I don't know if they are standard sizes; If they are, it might be easier to get an autolock smith to code a new slug and stick it in the new key rather than removing the old on as I seem to recall daveyonthemove having trouble digging the old immobilizer slug out!

[Big Kev]

I need a new keycase and thought that I would simply buy a new one from ebay for less that £5 , get the blank cut at a locksmiths for about £5 , swap over the internal electronic unit and hey presto job done.

However there is apparently a chip in the keyblade.

If I've understood correctly the internal electronic unit works the alarm and the chip the immobiliser.

So where is the chip in the keyblade and how do I extract it from the keyblade and put it in the new blade?

Thanks

Would not surprise me, Red, if you were told this load of pants by a franchise starting with T and rhyming with Simpson.......?

An extremely arrogant person behind their counter in the east of Glasgow within Asda store told me in a very Eastern European accent he would not cut my eBay blank, but offered to do me his at £30.00.

This company won't ever see my cuddly shape again......

[redlew]

Update -researched Amazon and eBay -you can be unlucky and get a blade that is too thick or too wide. So went to Leeds Alarm Centre in Gipton. Blade cut , internals swapped over. Job done £25 . If you are lucky on Amazon or eBay and can find a local locksmith to cut a blank he hasn't supplied might get away with a tenner but I didn't mind paying the extra to know that it could be tested on the spot. There is no chip in the key blade.

[Tech01]

Well, well - a good result. Persistence pays off!

Interesting experience with your branch of T******n. Eerily identical to mine here (the other end of Europe) with a certain Mister Minit, who was quite reluctant to cut my Amazon blank, but more than happy to sell me his own aftermarket blank for €80. He had a whole RACK of them, gold-embossed with every car logo imaginable! Even claimed they were "genuine Toyota" !!!!!!

We settled on €30, and I won't be going there again either. Ever.

Sods.

[redlew]

Just for the record it wasn't Timpsons.

[Big Kev]

Less than 100 yards from said named franchise stands a wee key cutter chappie. (Glasgow Forge Shopping Centre......probably called a mall south of Gretna........) totally brill but warns there are some bummers of blanks out there, so cannot guarantee his work, but will help in any way he can.

Toodlepip Timpseez......will NOT be spoken doon to in ma own city......