Unsure on Security

[Bod&Hammie]

Hi, my sons mk1 has a red flashing security light on the dash but what actual security does it have? Alarm? Immobiliser?

 We also only have one key with the car which is grey. The car has central locking but the key has no buttons. Is this correct for the year or do we only have a valet key?

Thanks,

Bod

[Heidfirst]

Never had a Yaris but I would suggest that you only have a valet key. In any case if it is like the 2 Avensis that I have/have had mechanically locking the doors doesn't arm the alarm (if fitted).

[FROSTYBALLS]

My 2006 Corolla came with two black remote keys and one grey valet key without buttons, that gave limited functions. 

[Cyker]

The security light is for the immobilizer; I don't think any Mk1 comes with an alarm as standard.

AFAIK all Mk1 Yarisusseses should come with 2 black keys and 1 grey key when new.

However, when being sold second hand, the vast majority of them seem to only have one key, and sometimes it isn't even an original Toyota key! (At least that's what I found when I was looking for one!)

If the grey key is Toyota branded, it is indeed a valet key; This sucks because you will not be able to program a new key into the ECU or make the remote central locking work, although you can probably clone the transponder in the valet key into a non-Toyota blank key just to have a spare. (Most decent auto-locksmiths can do this)

If you bought it recently, complain to who you bought it from and make it Their Problem instead; You also might be able to contact the previous owner to see if they can find one of the black keys. (Hopefully they are nice people and not total dickheads)

There are other options but TBH, if it is a 1999 petrol GLS, they are not worth pursuing:
1) The Proper Way - Replace the ECU and lock barrels with new ones and new keys; This will probably cost more than the car is currently worth
2) Find a specialist auto-locksmith who can crack the ECU to inject new master key transponder codes into it - This will probably cost half what the car is currently worth, require many weeks of the car not working (As you normally have to remove the ECU and send it off), and a lot of time spent trying to find one of these mythical specialists (We had one guy on here advertising this service but I haven't seen him for some number of years now...!)

[Bod&Hammie]

1 hour ago, Cyker said:

The security light is for the immobilizer; I don't think any Mk1 comes with an alarm as standard.

AFAIK all Mk1 Yarisusseses should come with 2 black keys and 1 grey key when new.

However, when being sold second hand, the vast majority of them seem to only have one key, and sometimes it isn't even an original Toyota key! (At least that's what I found when I was looking for one!)

If the grey key is Toyota branded, it is indeed a valet key; This sucks because you will not be able to program a new key into the ECU or make the remote central locking work, although you can probably clone the transponder in the valet key into a non-Toyota blank key just to have a spare. (Most decent auto-locksmiths can do this)

If you bought it recently, complain to who you bought it from and make it Their Problem instead; You also might be able to contact the previous owner to see if they can find one of the black keys. (Hopefully they are nice people and not total dickheads)

There are other options but TBH, if it is a 1999 petrol GLS, they are not worth pursuing:
1) The Proper Way - Replace the ECU and lock barrels with new ones and new keys; This will probably cost more than the car is currently worth
2) Find a specialist auto-locksmith who can crack the ECU to inject new master key transponder codes into it - This will probably cost half what the car is currently worth, require many weeks of the car not working (As you normally have to remove the ECU and send it off), and a lot of time spent trying to find one of these mythical specialists (We had one guy on here advertising this service but I haven't seen him for some number of years now...!)
 

Damn & blast. I think you just really confirmed what I was trying to ignore.

Thanks,

Bod

[sheena67]

I have just bought a 2016 yaris but there is no flashing light anywhere. I was told that all 2016 yaris have immobalisers and alarms. is this correct

[Devon Aygo]

41 minutes ago, sheena67 said:

I have just bought a 2016 yaris but there is no flashing light anywhere. I was told that all 2016 yaris have immobalisers and alarms. is this correct

Standard immobilser but no alarm on a Yaris in the UK