Question 1

How do I spot a fake locksmith before I get ripped off?

Accepted Answer

Three things. First, a real business name, a verifiable physical address, and actual Google or Yelp reviews you can read. Scam operations cycle through dozens of different names and phone numbers that all route to the same call center -- search the number independently and see what comes up.

Second, ask for a firm estimate over the phone for your specific vehicle. If they won't give you a ballpark without seeing the car first, that's a red flag. A locksmith who works on Lexus keys regularly knows what the job involves before they arrive.

Third, ask for their California BSIS license number on the spot. Every legitimate locksmith company operating in this state is required to have one and should give it to you without hesitation.

Question 2

What exactly is a remote head key and why does it need programming?

Accepted Answer

A remote head key is the type your 2001 Lexus LX uses. It looks like a standard key, but the fob buttons are built directly into the head of the key rather than on a separate keychain remote. Inside that housing there are two systems: a transponder chip that talks to the vehicle's immobilizer when you turn the key, and a radio transmitter that handles the lock and unlock buttons.

The transponder side has to be programmed to match your specific vehicle. Without that, even a perfectly cut key blade will crank the engine and then immediately shut it down -- the immobilizer sees an unrecognized chip and cuts fuel. Programming pairs the chip to the vehicle so the immobilizer authorizes the start.

The remote side needs a separate sync so the lock and unlock buttons register with the receiver in the car. Both steps are part of a complete replacement job. A key that's only cut but not programmed on both sides is an incomplete job.

Question 3

What tools do you actually use to program a 2001 Lexus LX key?

Accepted Answer

For a vehicle this age, the job uses a professional immobilizer programmer that communicates through the OBD port to register the transponder chip to the vehicle. I also carry the equipment to decode the key blade and cut a replacement on site, so there's no waiting on a blank to be sourced.

One thing worth knowing about this generation: because it predates the more complex encrypted systems found on newer Lexus vehicles, it doesn't require the kind of factory security authorization access that later models do. The programming process is more accessible, which is part of why a qualified mobile locksmith can handle it completely on site without a dealer visit.

If a locksmith can't tell you what tool they're using on your specific year and model, that's worth asking about before they start.

Question 4

The fob buttons stopped working but my 2001 LX still starts fine. Why would that happen?

Accepted Answer

That's actually the normal failure pattern for a remote head key with a dead or dying CR1616. The transponder chip in the fob communicates passively -- it draws power from the ignition coil field when you turn the key, not from the fob battery. So the immobilizer still sees a valid chip and the car starts. But the radio transmitter for the lock and unlock buttons runs entirely off that CR1616, and when it's dead, those buttons go silent.

Swap the battery first. It's a CR1616, thinner than the CR1632 in later models. If the buttons come back after a fresh battery, you're done. If they still don't respond after a confirmed good battery, then you're looking at either a contact issue inside the fob or a resync.

Question 5

I found a replacement fob for my 2001 LX online. Can I program it myself?

Accepted Answer

The remote button sync on some older Lexus vehicles can be done with an onboard sequence, but the transponder chip registration -- the part that actually lets the car start -- requires a programmer connected to the OBD port. So even if you get the buttons working through a self-sync, the key won't start the car until the chip is enrolled by someone with the right equipment.

Also worth checking before you buy: confirm the factory FCC ID on the fob you're ordering matches the one your vehicle uses. A fob with the wrong radio ID won't sync to the receiver regardless of how many times you run the sequence. If you've already bought one online, bring it along -- if it's the right unit, I can program it on site rather than you needing to purchase another.

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