After getting stabbed in the thigh one too many times by the sword-like remote key, I decided to get one of the flip out "switchblade" keys. Browsing Ebay and looking at the "Autobot" key and the original flip key reviewed on the forums, I found this one which I had not seen before:
Got it cut today; works like a champ!
My one minor complaint: you need a ~1/4" diameter key ring to fit in the slot on the bottom; a standard sized key ring won't fit through both holes, because the flap doesn't protrude enough...if that makes sense.
However: it's metal! Not chromed plastic, so it should hold up for a very long time.
Only issue I had was removing the transponder...
My advice: Just cut open the gray valet key, as demonstrated in the above video.
I ended up destroying my black key housing getting the transponder out...it was unbelievable how much glue there was!
I kept trying to pry it apart, and before long, I just bent the housing in half in order to free the transponder.
I think I'm going to be very happy with this key; it appears to be just like the white one that ikkoku posted on the previous page, but wrapped in leather.
I liked the idea so much, I bought one for my truck, too.
So my 2008 has a dot not a G on the factory key. It also is code HYQ12BBY. So should I get the dot or the G key just want to make sure before I buy the wrong keys... I am assuming I want the same FCC code as well. I need to make some more keys as we lost one of them and I ordered the eBay cable and disk to program keys with.
You want the key with the DOT, not the G. The G key is not compatible with the immobilizer system in a 2008. The HYQ12BBY code has to do with the remote entry module and has nothing to do with the immobilizer, they are 2 totally separate systems. So, to be fully compatible with your 2008, you want a DOT key with the HYQ12BBY FCC code.
Note: I actually have an oddball key that came from Ebay and it has the DOT on the blade but the remote has the HYQ12BDC code. This was from a transitional period when they were upgrading the encryption for the remote but before they upgraded the encryption for the immobilizer.
Does anybody have any tips on how to get the immobilizer chip out of the old key with out destroying the chip or they key? I haven't tried too hard yet but I don't want to destroy anything. Maybe this has been covered before but i couldn't find it so maybe somebody could point me in the right direction. Thanks!
So I bought 2 of these keys for my 2012 base. I had one cut from a lock smith and it does not turn in my door or ignition. I took the second key to a different lock smith to have it cut and it doesnt work either. They both go into the lock but don't turn. Now I'm stuck with two useless flip keys. If anybody needs parts for theirs I am willing to ship thses out for just $10 to cover shipping. The key blade is useless now as they are already cut and don't work in my car but all of the rest to the shell and the buttons and the toyota sticker are all new never used. they dont have the chip or the remote in them either. If anybody is interested PM me and I will get them out to you. I have no idea waht else to do with them. Thanks.
So I bought 2 of these keys for my 2012 base. I had one cut from a lock smith and it does not turn in my door or ignition. I took the second key to a different lock smith to have it cut and it doesnt work either. They both go into the lock but don't turn. Now I'm stuck with two useless flip keys.
Get a caliper and compare the cut dimensions with your known good key. If the non-working keys are high, you can file down the high spots to match the working key.
I found a new key, it's about 15-20% smaller and lighter, it also has square buttons. I just received mine today, still haven't done the transplant. http://www.ebay.com/itm/261213007366
Update: Bad news, the remote won't fit this key, don't buy this, cancel your orders! I couldn't believe it! I even cut the blade and was ready for the transplant :banghead:
It is a significant difference, as soon as I held it in my hand I felt something was different, I didn't even know it was smaller and lighter, I just bought it because I liked the squared off buttons
This one looks interesting too. The key blade is turned 90 degrees compared to the other one so the blade retracts into a narrow slot. Less than 15 bucks:
Transferred the guts from one of my keys and its working okay. Quality seems okay, mostly plastic construction held together with 3 screws. The button feedback seems to be okay. I left out the black rubber gasket like material and my lock button seems to not "click" as strongly as the unlock button. Overall for $20 for 2 and $10 to have both keys cut, it should be fine and I think I'll be happy with it. I decided to do the mod, since the battery of my original key finally died after 4 years of trusted service.
I had a hell of a time getting the transponder chip out of the old key. I tried using an Xacto knife and after about 3 hours of scraping the sides and not getting very far, I gave up and pulled the dremel out. I was a little careless and the dremel bit made a slight hole in the chip, very small and not deep ( maybe 1mm ). Once I had the chip out, I wrapped the chip in some teflon tape and put it in the "chip holder" of the new flip key. Without the teflon, the transponder chip would keep falling out of the slot.
I tested it and its working fine. Time will tell how it holds up but, I'm satisfied with the upgrade. Will defintely appreciate not being stabbed by the key.
I had a hell of a time getting the transponder chip out of the old key. I tried using an Xacto knife and after about 3 hours of scraping the sides and not getting very far, I gave up and pulled the dremel out. I was a little careless and the dremel bit made a slight hole in the chip, very small and not deep ( maybe 1mm ). Once I had the chip out, I wrapped the chip in some teflon tape and put it in the "chip holder" of the new flip key. Without the teflon, the transponder chip would keep falling out of the slot.
I used a dremel tool on 4 keys. Knowing the size of the immobilizer helped, so I just took my time and got all the immobilizers out. Working with precut used keys I bought off eBay, there was no deadline to get it working so I could drive the car. The flip keys I bought are a different style. I found the panic button and trunk release button were too easy to push. I've bent over to tie my shoe or pick up something, and had the trunk pop open or the panic alarm go off. Having the trunk pop open when you are not in sight of the vehicle is not good. Fortunately no one notices when the panic alarm goes off. When was the last time you heard a car alarm going off and investigated it?
It's been a while since I posted anything on this thread, so I decided an update is in order. I've been using the flip key for over 5 years now and it has held up very well. The only complaint is the silver paint on the 3 buttons wore off. The buttons are gray plastic so it isn't very noticeable at all, just a little nitpick. They still sell this flip key on Ebay, the latest price is less than 10 bucks. I highly recommend it: