Lost your car remote or need to program a new one for your Toyota? Programming your Toyota car remote can often be done at home without the need for expensive dealership services. This guide provides you with two straightforward methods to program your keyless entry remote for most Toyota models. Depending on your vehicle’s year, make, and model, one of these procedures should work for you. We’ll begin with the more common method applicable to newer Toyota vehicles.
Method 1: Programming Toyota Remotes for Newer Models
This procedure is typically effective for programming remotes on more recent Toyota models. Follow these steps carefully to successfully program your remote.
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Preparation is Key: Ensure your key is out of the ignition. The driver’s side door must be open and unlocked, while all other doors should be closed. This is crucial for initiating the programming sequence.
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Ignition Insertion (Part 1): Insert your key into the ignition switch, but do not turn it. Immediately remove the key. Repeat this insert and remove action one more time, for a total of two cycles.
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Door Cycling (Part 1): Next, you need to cycle the driver’s side door lock. Close the driver’s door and then open it again. Repeat this close and open cycle once more, ensuring you finish with the driver’s door open.
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Ignition Insertion (Part 2): Insert the key into the ignition one last time, and immediately remove it. Perform this action only once.
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Door Cycling (Part 2): Again, cycle the driver’s side door lock. Close the driver’s door and then open it again, ending with the driver’s door in the open position.
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Ignition and Door Closure: Insert the key into the ignition and leave it in the “off” position. Now, close the driver’s door.
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Final Ignition Cycle: Turn the ignition to the “on” position, and then quickly back to the “off” position. Remove the key from the ignition.
At this point, if you’ve followed the steps correctly, the door locks should automatically cycle (lock and unlock). This indicates that your Toyota has entered programming mode and is ready to learn the new remote signal. If the locks do not cycle, double-check each step and try again from the beginning, or proceed to Method 2.
Once in programming mode, take the remote you wish to program. Press and hold both the “lock” and “unlock” buttons simultaneously for approximately two seconds. Release both buttons, and then immediately press and hold just the “lock” button for one second.
Listen for the door locks to cycle again. A single cycle confirms that the car has successfully accepted and programmed your remote. If the locks cycle twice, it indicates that the remote was not accepted. In this case, try the programming sequence again, or ensure you are using a compatible remote for your Toyota model.
To exit programming mode, simply open the driver’s door. Remove your key from the ignition and test your newly programmed remote to ensure it is working correctly.
Note: Remember that the remote will not operate the door locks if any door, including the trunk or hatch, is ajar. Ensure all doors are fully closed when testing your remote’s functionality.
Method 2: Programming Toyota Remotes for Older Models
This second procedure is less common for newer vehicles but may be necessary for programming remotes on some older Toyota and Lexus models.
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Initial Setup: Ensure the key is removed from the ignition. The driver’s door should be open and unlocked, and all other doors must be closed.
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Power Lock Cycling (Part 1): Locate the power lock switch on the driver’s side door panel. Using the switch, press the “LOCK” button and then the “UNLOCK” button a total of five times, ending with the door in the unlocked state.
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Door Open and Close: Close the driver’s door and then open it once.
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Power Lock Cycling (Part 2): Again, using the power lock switch, press the “LOCK” button and then the “UNLOCK” button five times, concluding with the door unlocked.
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Ignition Cycle: Insert the key into the ignition switch and quickly turn it from the “off” position to the “on” position twice in rapid succession.
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Remove Key: Remove the key from the ignition.
If successful, the door locks should cycle automatically, signaling that your vehicle is in remote programming mode. If the locks do not cycle, repeat the process from step one.
Once in programming mode, take the remote you are programming. Press and hold the “LOCK” and “UNLOCK” buttons simultaneously for about two seconds. Release them, and then press and hold the “LOCK” button alone for approximately one second.
A single cycle of the door locks indicates successful remote programming. If the locks cycle more than once, the remote was not accepted. If this happens, try repeating the remote programming step. If it continues to fail, you might have an incompatible remote.
To finalize the process, close the driver’s door. Remove the key from the ignition and test your programmed remotes.
Troubleshooting Tip: Older Toyota models sometimes have power lock actuators that are less responsive. If you find the power lock switch is sluggish or doesn’t seem to complete the five lock/unlock cycles reliably, try manually assisting the lock mechanism while using the power switch. With one hand, manually lock and unlock the door while simultaneously operating the power lock switch with the other. This can be tricky to coordinate, but properly timed manual assistance can help the system recognize the lock cycles and enter programming mode.
By following these methods, you should be able to program your Toyota car remote and regain keyless entry functionality. Enjoy the convenience of your programmed remote!
