2026 Lexus RZ
Key Replacement - Save vs Dealer in San Diego

2026 Lexus RZ Smart Key Replacement - Fast, Affordable & Professional

Got a call out to Richland in San Marcos from a guy who'd already had a rough week with his 2026 Lexus RZ. He'd hired someone before me. That locksmith had cut and programmed what he said was a working replacement smart key. The owner paid, the other guy left, and the car woke up for about two seconds before the vehicle security system cut power and shut everything down. Engine wouldn't turn over again. The locksmith told him the problem was now inside the car, probably a module, and that it was a dealer job.

I've heard that one before.

The RZ's key registration process has a timed security sequence built into it. There's a seed-and-key exchange that has to fully resolve before the new fob is committed to the vehicle's permanent authorized list. If you pull the tool before that timer clears, the registration looks complete on the screen but it isn't. The car logs it as a failed or partial enrollment. Next start attempt, the immobilizer sees a key that doesn't match what's stored and shuts things down.

I connected through the OBD port, cleared the partial registration the previous attempt had left behind, and ran a clean full-cycle smart key learn with the security timer allowed to complete. Then I did three consecutive cold starts to confirm it wasn't just a warm cache. Solid every time.

He asked what was wrong with his car. Nothing. The car was doing exactly what it's supposed to do when a key isn't properly enrolled. The first locksmith just didn't finish the job.

The dealer was part of the conversation only because he'd already looked up what they were quoting. I came in for way less, and I actually handed him a working key before I left.

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