another key cut

[alokin123]

not sure if this is the right section but i currently have a 2002 toyota corolla for which i am looking to get another key cut. A few years ago the original key i was given shell started to crack so i was afraid of completely breaking the shell when trying to start the car so I called up Toyota and they said it would cost $500 for another key so at the time i went to my local locksmith and he cut me another key which i use to open the doors on the car using the key hole and to start the car, so i effectivley lost keyless entry or remote locking or which ever its called.
I still have the original key with the cracked shell but i havent used it since getting this other key cut. I am planning on selling my car and wouldnt mind having the original key or similar made so that the car can be opened using keyless entry like it used to.
any hints? Would my original key still work? Do any locksmiths do this sort of thing at a better price than the original manufacturer?

[mash again]

I bought a new key with shell on ebay got it cut and swapped the guts out from the old key to the new one.

[alokin123]

thanks for the tip. I have seen websites that sell the shells, i'm just not sure if i could use my original keys which i havent used in a few years? I just dont want to end up not being able to start my car

[alokin123]

I mean would i have renedered my original key useless by having a another key cut?

[mitsas17]

i had a similar issue.
go to a locksmith, take your cracked key less entry remote and tell the locksmith you want another remote.
cost about $70
They are able to sync the two remotes and the new remote will even open your boot if the original key has that option..

hope that helped

[alokin123]

Originally Posted by mitsas17

i had a similar issue.
go to a locksmith, take your cracked key less entry remote and tell the locksmith you want another remote.
cost about $70
They are able to sync the two remotes and the new remote will even open your boot if the original key has that option..

hope that helped

Thanks, hopefully the cost is reasonable.

[maccaxr]

hi mate as a locksmith i can tell you all your after is the shell with a blank key attached i see this all the time, cracking where the screw is.. we charge $50 cut with the remote swapped over and thats nzd. for that year corolla its hit or miss weather it has a transponder or not but thats either in the remote aswell or a seperate chip that can be swapped over anyway. also watch when they put your new key together if they do the screw up too tight your back to square one again! hope this helped.

[t_holt69]

Agreed, I work for Toyota, and from what you have described, it is just a key shell you are after, Whomever told you it was a whole key has having you on, as long as the remote works and isn't damaged, you can swap it over, all you have to do is cut the key, swap the internals and you're good to go.

[alokin123]

Originally Posted by maccaxr

hi mate as a locksmith i can tell you all your after is the shell with a blank key attached i see this all the time, cracking where the screw is.. we charge $50 cut with the remote swapped over and thats nzd. for that year corolla its hit or miss weather it has a transponder or not but thats either in the remote aswell or a seperate chip that can be swapped over anyway. also watch when they put your new key together if they do the screw up too tight your back to square one again! hope this helped.

Thanks for the advice. I've seen the shells on ebay for realtively cheap so i guess i might try and buy one and see what happens.

[alokin123]

Originally Posted by t_holt69

Agreed, I work for Toyota, and from what you have described, it is just a key shell you are after, Whomever told you it was a whole key has having you on, as long as the remote works and isn't damaged, you can swap it over, all you have to do is cut the key, swap the internals and you're good to go.

Hi t_holt69, so the fact that i had another basic key cut at the time and left the original cracking shell key unused for 3 years wont make a difference? It would still be able to unlock/lock my car and start the engine if i just got another shell and went to the Locksmith with the original?

[t_holt69]

as long as the original remote was working (battery may be flat now) then yes, I see no reason why you shouldn't just be able to put the internals into a new shell...