Question about a Toyota Corolla

[diddlysquat]

I just bought a used 2008 Corolla. I was going to have another spare key made but was told there was a chip in the key and if I tried to use a copy w/o the chip it would ruin the motor. Is this true? What is thepurpose of the chip? Is it to stop one from stealing the car? Also, I did not receive one of those key fobs that can beep the car open/locked/and open the trunk. Should there have been one and is the key chip part of that?

[rwenos]

1. Call Local Toyota Dealer Service Dept.

And ask. They work on plenty of cars bought used. They might be able to sell you a replacement key, if the chip story is true.

Beware though -- don't get your car repaired at the dealership if you can possibly avoid it. VERY expensive, when compared to independent garages.

Unless money is not an issue to you, of course.

[Warpy]

2. It looks like the seller kept one or more keys

so it might be worth your while to get the locks replaced and get new keys.

It could easily be a repo, and the "seller" might want it back.

[XemaSab]

3. We have a chip and you can't start the car without it

The chip was seperate from the key, and it broke off the keychain, so now it just sits near the ashtray.

It's a great theft deterrent. We could seriously leave the key in the ignition and leave all the door unlocked and nobody would be able to start the car.

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. That little clicker might be really expensive

My friend's purse was stolen with her keys in it and she had to pay $400 for a new key and clicker.

[Nite Owl]

5. You can get a key with a chip

and the fob from a dealer. The chip allows you to start the car, without the chip you can only open the door (on my car anyway). The fob is sold separately. Be prepared for a price shock, these things are expensive. My son lost mine, both the key and the fob, it was $160.

[carlyhippy]

6. Did you get a tiny metal "tag" with your keys?

You need that "tag" that has a special number on it, in order to get a spare key, and you have to go to a Toyota dealership to get a key made, I think.

Mine has some kind of alarm system that will disable the engine if a key is used that doesn't have that chip, it sounds like what you are describing. I have a 2008 Nissan. I would find out where it was bought and contact that dealer.

[ancient_nomad]

7. We have a 2006 Corolla, and ......

Yes, to answer your first question. The computer in the car will shut down the engine so no one can run it. From what I was told, they have to replace the computer in the car and that is NOT inexpensive. You will have to call the dealership to get a duplicate key made. They copy the info off the master key chip to make a copy of it. The same goes for the valet key. It is not cheap; we were quoted $55 + for a duplicate valet key. We did not get a key fob to open/lock, etc. with ours either.

[diddlysquat]

8. This is very helpful information.

I had bought the car used at a Honda dealer but I know where it originally was bought. Interestingly, the Toyota dealership in my town had no Corollas w/ automatic transmission used or new (big demand right about now) so I went looking at the Honda dealership (which had no Civics for the same reason) but had just had this one traded in. The price had not been jacked up to meet demand like it would have been at the Toyota dealership. I felt lucky to find it.

[TexasProgresive]

9. I agree with most everything written above

The dealer can probably get the code by using the VIN number of the car and querying the Toyota data base. Good luck and hope it doesn't run to high.