I unfortunately lost one of my key fob for the TCH 09. I asked the dealer and it was charging me $450 total for a replacement (replacement unit + reprogramming + re-keying the small key blade). Ouch!
I searched Ebay and there were some sellers selling used Key Fobs with uncut blade keys. By the way, these keys were previously programmed to another car (henced "used"). My question is to anyone in the forum who had a similar experience of buying a used key fob on the internet. Did the programming work? How much did the dealer charge you? If i go for a replacement, do they have to re-program my existing key?

 

too late for this key, but for your next one...Zomm key finder

http://blogs.forbes.com/velocity/201...or-cellphones/

 

The FOB doesn't care which car it's paired to.
The ECM in the car can be paired with some number of FOBs simultaneously (at least 3 and probably more). You do need
a working FOB in addition to the new one you are pairing.
I think that's a security thing. If you loose both FOBs it cost's you
a million dollars to get the ECM replaced with an virgin one.
I always get 3 FOBs when I purchase a car with Smart Key.
The 3rd one is a "throw in" to make the deal. I keep it as a spare and
have never really needed to use them.
$70 for programming and cutting a key seems about normal here.
Although my dealership didn't have the key cutter in house, they had
to send it over to their Lexus location.

 

Thanks Schmidt for the reply. So re re-phrase your answer, it's ok to get a working - used FOB and just have the dealer add this key into the car's program? How do they determine the code the FOB emits to program to my car?

 

I've heard several success stories of people getting used FOBs on eBay. Make sure the seller has a high feedback rating and you get return privileges.
The programming uses the universal programming tool all Toyota dealers have. It's similar to pairing a remote to a garage door opener.
Not sure how the working remote is used to start the process but I bet the dealer puts the ECM in the car into something similar to learning mode and then presses the button on the FOB which the ECM then stores.
There is also the pairing of something similar to an RFID in the FOB which is used only if the battery in the FOB goes dead.

 

What FOBs will work with the TCH? Only ones for it or will ones for other cars - like Prius also work?

 

This site tells you how to do it yourself:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5701104_prog...-key-fobs.html

 

The eHow article says to put the key into the ignition, turn it, etc. This procedure probably isn't applicable to the TCH.
It's a rip-off, I know, but bite the bullet and pay the dealer. I bought used fobs from two different online dealers. In both cases, two different Toyota dealers tried but failed to program the fobs. Luckily, I was able to return the used fobs for credit. I bought a supposedly new fob from a third online dealer. I took it to my local Toyota dealer, and they couldn't get it programmed. They called Toyota service tech support, and tech support had them download a program to program the fob. The dealer had to erase the ECM and reprogram all my fobs. That finally worked. But by the time I paid the dealer to program the fobs, found a locksmith to cut the metallic key, paid return shipping on the used fobs, I spent close to $450 anyway, not counting my time and aggravation. Buy it from the dealer and let them deal with the headaches.

 

Not if you have Smart Start/Key.

 

Not at all, the site tells from where you can get the new key and also for key replacement visiting the mobile locksmith store is also a good deal.