non-dealer key replacement options
 

Long story short the dealer lost my spare keys so I only have one key to the car and I would like to have at least one spare maybe even the valet key. Dealership(s) /not the one that lost my keys of course. wont be going back there/ want $280 for a replacement key and programming. I've found the same price everywhere I called. Being cheap I ordered a "confirmed G-chip" key off ebay for $65 and had 2 dealerships try to program it and neither could. So I sent it back and tried again with the same results. The dealership was able to delete my working key then add it back on so I know their machine is working and they can in fact add a key.
The questions are:
Has anyone been able to add a key not purchased directly from Toyota?
If so where did you purchase it and how much?

ask them to order you a new set. There is no way they can getaway with giving you one key. If not order a valet key of Toyota and have them reprogram it. The valet is allot cheaper.

First of all, if I were you there's no way I would spend my own money fixing someone else's mistake. Unless you don't want to deal with the situation and you have money to burn, I'd demand a replacement key free of charge because it was the dealer's fault in the first place.

Unbelievable response from the OP: "not going back there". What? Just the sheer satisfaction making them make it right is reason enough to return. At the very least though I'm sure you can have them mail you the replacement THEY purchased for you.

How you could even for one nanosecond think about paying 1 cent from your pocket to rectify their mistake is insane. You will have satisfaction if you hold them accountable. Never returning after that is your icing.

I harbor no animosity for the dealership they did everything they could, the situation was out of their hands. They have incredible service, but it isn't a Toyota dealership. The general manager is a close friend and a swap of cars for something he had got the car to me at a very reasonable price.


That aside, like I originally asked has anyone had any experience/luck with a NON Toyota dealership key successfully being programmed to the car?

Well I don't know if getting a new pair of keys from a new alarm system counts. With my new Viper 5904 it came with two keys and I had to use my one of my keys to program it. What you can do though, and is what I think you should do since the manager is your friend, is buy the key from eBay cheap, then let them pay for the key and let them program it.

I've tried 2 eBay keys already that claimed to be G-chip and for an FRS and went to 2 different Scion/Toyota dealerships to try and have them programmed and neither worked.

I guess just have a talk with you close friend. See what he can do. Because you need to get this fixed because in the long run your going to need that key.

A little follow up info for the next person looking for a replacement key. According to the Toyota Tech I spoke with today the FR-S does not use the same G-chip keys as the other Scions or Toyota's. He said it has a different part number and you can't program the FR-S keys to the other cars or the other cars to the FR-S. How much truth there is to that I do not know. Maybe one of the techs on this forum can chime in? He was however able to tell me only the master key had been programmed to the car. The valet keys that came with were never added to the system. He might be able to get me those directly from Toyota since they should have come with it to the original dealership.

Did you buy the car new or used? If the car was new they owe you a key. Either the key or the money for a new key. If its used then yes its on you to replace.

Did you not get a valet key either?

My car came with two normal keys and one valet key.

Bumping this up as I am in the market for another key - and thinking of going the ebay route and having a locksmith cut it and program it if it can be done.

Any advice would be great!

Bump.

Lost one of my keys recently and looking for the cheapest route to replace it. Any advice would be great.

You could sell a Kidney and get the OG Key....

That is correct. The Denso BCU Security of the FR-S is actually a Subaru standard unit, so the keys must be programmed and chips are assigned with Subaru standard programmers. Therefore, although Scion/Toyota dealers are equipped with the key-replacement tools needed, they are not the same as other Toyota security/key programming and tools needed for that operation.

That said, another worthy note is, that since the Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S are assigned different vehicle security ID at the factory for this, Subaru dealers also has tools but will not be able to get the proper download codes to reprogram a FR-S and vice versa. Only Toyota can program a FR-S, and Subaru can a BRZ.