Gemini Rising

Canadian Key Fob Highjinks!

I have a 2016 Rav4 with a key and a fob that remote unlocks and locks the door. Unfortunately, time had not been kind to my spare. It pooped out. So I went to the dealer and had them replace the battery. It still didn't work. The dealer said for a brand new key, cut and coded approximately 450 dollars! I couldn't believe it. That price was OUTRAGEOUS!! It was about 200 for the keys and 200 to program it.



I think the guy at the dealer had pity on me and told me to try an aftermarket keysmith. I had no idea there was such a thing!

Anyway, I went on EBAY and bought a key for the car and spent 30.00 dollars. Heck, I thought I was onto something. I booked an appointment with the Locksmith and showed up.

The first thing he told me is that my EBAY key was a knock off. He checked all the numbers and everything looked good. He was surprised. Usually knock offs can't be programed. So he went to program it.

He was pleasantly surprised to discover he was able to program the key to start the car. Now it was time to program the remote functions. It wasn't working. He was surprised. He tried it twice and it didn't take. He said if the key can be programed to start it, it should be programed to work remotely. He was stumped. Just as I was about to drive off he stopped me.

"Was your car made in Canada?"

Ummm... I know Toyota is Japanese, but I thought it was made in Kentucky. "I dunno," I replied.

He checked the plate on the driver's side door frame - sure as molasses my Rav4 was made in Canada. And they're frequencies for their key fob aren't quite the same as the ones for American ones.

At least we solved it. Now I have homework. I must obtain the part number for my key fob - I must order a Canadian Toyota Rav4 Key fob. He said to call the dealer but who knows if the dealer will actually tell me the part number. He wants to sell me the part for 200 bucks!

I'm not an expert on ordering parts but it's time to put the sleuthing hat on.