Question 1

Do I have to go to the Lexus dealer to get a replacement key for my 2002 LS?

Accepted Answer

No. A qualified mobile locksmith can cut and program a remote head key for the 2002 LS on site, wherever the car is parked. The dealer route requires an appointment, sometimes a wait for the key to come in, and you are paying for the building, not just the work. For a vehicle this age, the programming tools needed are well-established in the independent locksmith world. There is nothing dealer-exclusive about the job. We come to you, in Montecito or right at Butterfly Beach if that is where the car is, and get it done in one visit.

Question 2

What exactly is a remote head key and what does it do on my 2002 Lexus LS?

Accepted Answer

A remote head key is a single unit where the fob is built directly into the head of the key rather than being a separate piece. Your 2002 LS uses one with three buttons. It does two jobs at once: the blade turns the ignition, and the transponder chip inside communicates with the vehicle security system every time you go to start the car. The remote side handles lock and unlock from a distance.

Both functions have to work for the key to be fully operational. A key that is cut correctly but not programmed will turn in the ignition and go nowhere. A key that is programmed but worn or cut wrong will not turn at all. Getting a replacement right means handling both sides of that, which is exactly what we do on site.

Question 3

How long does the dealer take for a key replacement on a 2002 Lexus LS?

Accepted Answer

For a vehicle this age, most dealers will need to order the key blank and fob, then schedule a separate programming appointment once it arrives. That can stretch to a week or more depending on parts availability and how busy the service department is. If you have no working key and the car is not drivable, you are also looking at a tow to get it there.

With EZ Car Keyz, the job happens in one visit. I come to the car, cut the blade, program the transponder and the remote, and test everything before I leave. No towing, no waiting on parts, no second appointment.

Question 4

My 2002 LS starts fine but the fob buttons stopped working. Do I need a whole new key?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. On this generation, the remote and the ignition transponder are independent functions inside the same key. If the car starts, the transponder side is alive. Dead buttons usually point to the CR1616 battery going flat, a cracked fob shell letting moisture in, or a contact that got bent from prying the case open the wrong way.

Start with the battery. The CR1616 is a thin cell and a lot of people accidentally grab a CR2032 or CR1632 at the store, which will not seat correctly. Get the exact spec, seat it flush, and test. If the shell is cracked or the contacts look corroded, the fob may need a rebuild rather than a full key replacement. Either way, it is worth a quick diagnosis before paying for a new unit.

Question 5

Can I program a second key for my 2002 Lexus LS myself at home?

Accepted Answer

There is an on-board programming procedure for this generation that does not require a dealer tool. It works through a specific sequence of door lock and ignition inputs with tight timing requirements. Some owners pull it off. A lot do not, and a failed attempt can close the programming window temporarily.

Even if the procedure itself is accessible, you still need a key that is already cut to the car before you start. You cannot program a blank. So the realistic path is: get the blade cut by someone with the right equipment, then attempt the sequence, and have a backup plan if it does not take. If you want it done without the uncertainty, a mobile locksmith with a programming tool removes the timing gamble entirely.

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