How do I make a Like New Key (2007)

My keys work fine in the ignition but not so well in the driver’s door. I always use the fob to unlock the door so I did not notice that they were starting to wear out. I was up in the mountains in a snowstorm and was being very careful to have 2 sets of working keys. There were a couple of times that perhaps the locks were frozen and they would not unlock with the key. Once the door would not unlock with the fob either. Maybe because the battery was too cold. That was a bit unnerving not wanting to be locked out of my car in a snowstorm!!


So, I'd like to get new keys made but not by copying the ones I have. That might result in keys that don’t work any better that the keys I have. Is there a way for a locksmith to make a “Like New” key? Is there a code someplace that tells a locksmith how to make a new key?


Also, was there a different key to lock the glovebox? How would I get a new one made. I don’t have a key that unlocks the glovebox anymore.

 

I went to my local dealership with the VIN and they were able to pull the key code and cut new keys from that. You just need to provide your registration as proof that you are the current owner.

 

I asked my local Toyota dealer and they said $65 for the key and $195 to program it !!

What a rip off.

 

Program it yourself after they cut it. That's what I did.

From here -

Also attaching a .pdf Service Bulletin doc from Toyota explaining the process.

 

As mention it is possible to program a new key yourself.....BUT if your key will not lock/unlock the glove box, that tells me it's the "valet" key and not a master key, only a master key will lock/unlock the glove box and since you don't have a key with the "master key" cut (a valet key has a different cut so it can't lock/unlock the glove box) so unfortunately now the only way to get a key with the master key cut so it will work for the glove box is to have the Toyota dealership cut one via the VIN number (it doesn't have to be programmed to work for the glove box, it only needs to be programmed to start the vehicle), to program a new key yourself you need to first have a programmed master key...which it appears you don't have so you need to have a new programmed master key made the only way to do that is through a Toyota dealership unless you can find the very few locksmiths that are also able to do it, I would suggest calling around to the locksmiths in your area to see if they can make a new key via the VIN number and program a new key without having a master key to do it, however I could be wrong but I don't think any locksmith can make you a "new" key via your VIN number, so you may have to go to the dealership to get one made using the VIN number.

That all being said I have a friend that is a locksmith and I talked to him about me going to the dealership to get a "new" key cut via the VIN number and he told me he has seen that backfire because of wear in the ignition switch, so he said it's best to have a new key made using an old key that still works OK in the ignition.

OK so with that said, since you say you're not having any issues with your key in the ignition but only unlocking the door and especially since you said that you're now even having issues unlocking the door/s with your fob the issue may not be the key, if your key actually turns when trying to unlock the door then the key is fine and instead of the key being worn it could be the locking actuator in the door going bad.

Have you tried turning the key twice to see if it unlocks the other 3 doors, normally turning the key once unlocks the driver's door, turning again will unlock the other 3 doors, if that does unlock the other 3 doors but didn't unlock the driver's then that tells me it's definitely the driver's door lock actuator going or gone bad.

 

Get the keys cut by the dealer from VIN and look up the program tutorial, really easy!

 

As I mentioned in the post above your's is that the OP doesn't seem to have a "master" key, only the "valet" key, to program a key yourself you first need to have a programmed master key, it can't be done with a programmed valet key!