New Car Key cut, turns car on but engine won't turn

C

Coco93

New Member
#1
#1
Hi all,

I bought a 2012 Corolla in August 2015. I broke my key with the fob and both of the Toyota dealerships around me were quoting over $200 to get a replacement. I didn't like those figures. So I bought a blank fob from carsandtrucksremotes, programmed the fob myself (which worked), and got the key cut according to my transponder key (which I've been driving on since I broke my original fob key). The new car key can turn the car on, but can't turn the engine over.

I got my key copied at an ACE hardware, and he told me that more than likely the people that sent me the blank key didn't program the chip to actually drive my car, which is weird because they asked me for the first digit of my VIN #. Is there a way that I can program the chip to turn on my car without going to toyota and paying the crazy price? Or at least a cheaper alternative? I'm not 100% sure that I can return the key if it has already been cut.

The car will still drive with my spare transponder key, so I know it's not the car itself.
 
jimbomac1961

jimbomac1961

New Member
#2
#2
I understand your frustration. The 2 Toyota dealerships in my area (south-central NC) want almost $160-$180 for a key and $90 for programming. They both told me they will not program keys bought elsewhere. And you MUST have a dealer program the key with your car's computer.
You will need to either pay the dealers ransom or continue to use your existing key. I so miss the days of plain old metal keys!
 
jimbomac1961

jimbomac1961

New Member
#3
#3
Also, I don't know why a key company would want the first digit of your vin#. That only shows country of manufacturing origin. Possibly they were trying to see if you have the Toyota Smart Key system. In case you don't know that is the push button start. Yes, it's a pain in the ass. But all vehicles are heading in that direction. I bet within 10 yrs. there will be no keys at all on new vehicles. Of course that means higher prices for extra fobs and programming.
 
C

Coco93

New Member
#5
#5
Well I carry both keys (the original fob and the new one) with me all the time and it doesnt work. What im saying is that the new that I got made turns the car on but won't drive it.
 
C

Coco93

New Member
#8
#8
Just a follow up: I was able to call a locksmith to program the key. He also made it so that I could drive my original, broken fob too, so that'll be another spare. He charged me $160 total. Still pricey, but cheaper than the dealerships
 
fishycomics

fishycomics

Super Moderator
#9
#9
I hear you walked into the dealer for a door check stopsit from swinging, the dealer wanted 80.00 for what I can do with a rope.
 
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