blubrid said:
While my 2004 Prius came with the serial # tag for the two smart entry key fobs, I was told by a sales guy at my dealership (Darcars Toyota, Frederick, MD) that the serial # isn't really that important. Toyota can replace a fob from the VIN #.
Does this jive with what anyone else has heard?
Still getting used to the car, particularly the smart entry (three days and counting).
Assuming that the engine immmobilizer
security computer on the 2004 is
similar to that on the classic Prius,
yes, you might be able to get a new
key based on the VIN, and also buy
a new fob, but unless you've got an
already programmed/working key, you
won't be able to program/drive off
with the car with the fresh key from
the parts department without doing some
programming of the new key...
(in the classic Prius, you can have
a key cut that'll open the doors, but
unless it's programmed with the ID
chip it won't start the car. If you
loose the last master programmed key,
you're up for a huge repair bill
(over a grand, don't remember exactly)
to replace the security ECU in order
to get a new key programmed... I
remember that it worked out that the
price of the ID-chipped classic Prius
key if it were made of solid gold
was actually cheaper than having to
replace that ECU if you lost that
key!)