Any way to change the remote signal/frequency on a car?

[highland145]

Short story, customer got her keys/remote stolen. She can get new keys/remote but the thief can still steal her car with the set he has.

Suggestions?

Guess she could have the ignition re-keyed but that still doesn't keep him out of her car.

 

[Viper GTS]

Remotes are uniquely identified and associated with the car. Associating your new remotes in place of the old ones is the equivalent of 'changing frequencies' in the sense you mean it.

This also applies to most recent keys - They aren't just a piece of metal with a pattern cut in them. Replacing the key association should render it useless for the purpose of starting the car (though it might still allow access into the car, unsure on this but someone here probably knows).

Viper GTS

 

[highland145]

So the frequency is based on the remote and the car "syncs" to that?

 

[NutBucket]

No, the remotes are paired (like bluetooth, if you will). Like Viper said, the dealer can basically delete the old remote and pair new ones rendering the old one useless. Same for the immobilizer chip in the key.

 

[highland145]

No, the remotes are paired (like bluetooth, if you will). Like Viper said, the dealer can basically delete the old remote and pair new ones rendering the old one useless. Same for the immobilizer chip in the key.

The toyo dealer told her they couldn't help her. Think she needs talk to someone else.

Thanks

 

[natto fire]

The toyo dealer told her they couldn't help her. Think she needs talk to someone else.

Thanks

As you said, if the perp has a physical key, then the mechanical locks will need to be changed to prevent access to the cabin. The electronic side should be able to be sorted out by a competent dealer. As Nutbucket said, they basically need to invalidate the original key, and program a new key to be valid with the immobilizer system.
I don't have much experience with Toyotas, but this is a very simple fix for Hondas, albeit pricey.

 

[NutBucket]

I was assuming this is relatively new car but my comments applied to my 2005 Subaru so I would think most any car with keyless entry and an immobilizer would be similar.

 

[highland145]

As you said, if the perp has a physical key, then the mechanical locks will need to be changed to prevent access to the cabin. The electronic side should be able to be sorted out by a competent dealer. As Nutbucket said, they basically need to invalidate the original key, and program a new key to be valid with the immobilizer system.
I don't have much experience with Toyotas, but this is a very simple fix for Hondas, albeit pricey.

Her comprehensive insurance may cover the cost. Better that than the insurance having to replace the car.

Don't know how old the car is.

 

[thomsbrain]

I bet comprehensive insurance would cover it. That's the first thing to try.

Not sure about Toyotas but I've paired new remotes to Hondas before and it's easy, requires no tools or special skills, and can be completed in 1-2 minutes. It's basically like entering in a cheat code on a Nintendo game. The physical keys and their immobilizer chips are more complicated.