Key replacement - 1998/99 Corolla Car

Go to any home improvement store and get as many new keys cut as you want. I got new keys cut at the Lowes near my house on Monday evening.

Do it before your master breaks. Then, take the master home and put it away for future use to make even more spare keys. The old theory goes that when you use a copy to make more keys, then the precision of the key deteriorates to the point that the newly made keys don't work well. Since you are starting with a worn key in the first place, then logic says that if there was going to be enough deterioration to make the keys not work, then it will come sooner than later.

I am not sure that the old theory holds true anymore because the manner of making keys is different, but why temp fate. You know Murphy, he's the guy that said that if anything can go wrong, it will.

The key itself has a big crack in it and although it is still operational, I need to get a replacement before it snaps in half!

I have spoken to my local Toyota dealer and they say 'because it is a sub-key, they need to replace the ignigtion barrel and get a new key programmed in.... oh and it will cost about £300!!!!!'

I find it difficult to believe that it'll cost that much money to just get a replacement key. I don't understand why I would need a replacement barrel.

Has anyone else gone through something similar? Are they right in what they say? Is there a cheaper alternative?

Thanks, Martin

Never heard of that. I've made lots of spare keys for all my vehicles from Jeeps to Saturns to Corolla's and as long as it's a replacement made from the original (not a replacement from a replacement) it usually works fine. Just goto a hardware or automotive shop that cuts keys.

Hi, I have one key for my Toyota Corolla (S-Reg) 1998/99.

The key itself has a big crack in it and although it is still operational, I need to get a replacement before it snaps in half!

I have spoken to my local Toyota dealer and they say 'because it is a sub-key, they need to replace the ignigtion barrel and get a new key programmed in.... oh and it will cost about £300!!!!!'

I find it difficult to believe that it'll cost that much money to just get a replacement key. I don't understand why I would need a replacement barrel.

Has anyone else gone through something similar? Are they right in what they say? Is there a cheaper alternative?

Thanks, Martin

it might have an imobilizer deactivator in the key. in which case a new key would go in and turn but not start the car.

As long as you are not dealing with an immobiliser system (I don't think that system was on corollas in 99, at least not here in DC...), you should be able to make a copy as long as the key is not too damaged. If the dealer is giving you trouble, just take it to a locksmith.

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