SWharton Posted July 15, 2018 Report Share Posted July 15, 2018 We need to get a key fob for our 2001 Toyota Sienna, will probably buy 2. We need to be educated in key fobs. Does it matter which one we buy since they get programmed to the frequency of the car? Amazon has some that say they are for 2001 Toyota Sienna, better to buy that one? Can we just go to ACE and get one? Where else can we buy them, not the dealer............... This is all the unknown to us. Thanks all........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mptjelgin Posted July 16, 2018 Report Share Posted July 16, 2018 (edited) I ordered a couple of fobs for our Ford Truck off of Amazon a few years back. They were pretty inexpensive and didn't work reliably. They programmed fine but didn't seem to "hold" the program for more than a day or so. Obviously not the best situation! I ended up using the outer housings and the new batteries but transferred the circuit over from my old fobs. That combination is still working well for us. So I think you are rolling the dice with "generic" fobs off of the internet. Edited July 16, 2018 by mptjelgin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted July 16, 2018 Report Share Posted July 16, 2018 A local locksmith made them for us and work perfectly. I don't recall the cost but at the time I was scouring the internet and he seemed inline to others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWharton Posted July 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2018 I saw an ad at ACE so I will try them first. Seems the easiest solution for now vs. Amazon. Locksmiths are non-existent where we are................. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch_12078 Posted July 16, 2018 Report Share Posted July 16, 2018 I had a spare "valet" key cut and programmed at an Ace Hardware. It works perfectly... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWharton Posted July 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2018 That's good to hear. Next stop ACE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chirakawa Posted July 16, 2018 Report Share Posted July 16, 2018 I'm confused. I thought you wanted a key fob. I didn't think a valet key was a key fob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch_12078 Posted July 16, 2018 Report Share Posted July 16, 2018 I should have mentioned the key was for our 2011 Toyota RAV4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch_12078 Posted July 16, 2018 Report Share Posted July 16, 2018 (edited) 9 minutes ago, chirakawa said: I'm confused. I thought you wanted a key fob. I didn't think a valet key was a key fob. The valet key has to be chipped and programmed to be able to start the car with the ignition switch just like a standard key/fob. The only function it lacks is the ability to unlock the lockable storage compartments like the glove box, and does not have the remote lock/unlock, etc. button functions. Edited July 16, 2018 by Dutch_12078 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWharton Posted July 17, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2018 We just stopped at ACE and they can't find a FOB for our 2001 Toyota and suggested a dealer. Other people in line made the comments that the cost at a dealer would be $400-$600, both had gone this route. Guess I will order one from Amazon and hope. If it doesn't work I guess we will live with one FOB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted July 17, 2018 Report Share Posted July 17, 2018 12 minutes ago, SWharton said: If it doesn't work I guess we will live with one FOB. Just what we have done with our SUV. We were quoted a price of $300+ from a dealer for a new one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbaraok Posted July 17, 2018 Report Share Posted July 17, 2018 We got key fobs for our 2004 Subaru from Amazon. Work just fine. If it is just the body that has broken, you can get new shells. We transferred the 'contents' from one FOB into a new shell as that was all that was needed. The other we just needed to program to the car and it works fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWharton Posted July 17, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2018 The innards are broken, life is never easy. We were at Autozone and saw behind the counter universal key fobs. He said they work fine so we bought one(can always return). The Universal doesn't support our sliding door but that stopped working years ago. Well worth our time and $25 if it works. Next step is to read the programming directions. Hope they are easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWharton Posted July 18, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2018 I called Autozone as I really wanted a local place for easy return. A generic was available for $24.99 and returnable. Went and bought it. After a few false starts(called I can't read) the FOB was programmed and working......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sehc Posted July 18, 2018 Report Share Posted July 18, 2018 I got my key and remote at a locksmith set up in a Home Depot. He had a special computer set up to read the codes from the existing key and then program the new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.