Question 1

My key blade broke off in the ignition. Can you get it out?

Accepted Answer

Yes. On the 1999 SC, the ignition cylinder is a conventional turn-key setup, and broken blade extractions are something I handle on site. The goal is to get the fragment out without disturbing the cylinder itself. Once it is clear, I pull the key code from your door lock or vehicle records and cut a fresh blade to spec. One thing to keep in mind on a car this age: if the original blade was worn down before it snapped, a direct copy of that worn cut is not what you want. Cutting to the original depth specs from the code gives you a blade that actually fits the tumblers the way it was designed to.

Question 2

What exactly is a remote head key, and what makes it different from a regular key?

Accepted Answer

A remote head key is a single unit where the key blade and the remote fob are built into the same housing. Your 1999 Lexus SC uses a three-button version of this. The blade goes into the ignition like a conventional key. The buttons on the head handle your door lock and unlock functions remotely. There is also a transponder chip inside that communicates with the vehicle's security system when you turn the ignition. All three functions, the blade, the remote, and the transponder, live in one piece, which means if the housing cracks or the blade breaks, the whole unit needs to be replaced and the new one needs to be both cut and programmed to your car.

Question 3

My Lexus is showing a key warning on the dash. What should I check first?

Accepted Answer

Start with the CR1616 battery. It is a thin cell, and on a 25-year-old fob that has been riding in a pocket every day, the battery contacts can also develop a light film of corrosion even if the cell itself reads okay on a tester. Pop the fob open, pull the battery, wipe the contacts lightly with a dry cloth, and seat a fresh name-brand CR1616. A lot of warning lights and intermittent start hesitation on these clears up right there.

If you have replaced the battery and the warning is still present, or the remote range is still short, the issue may be inside the fob housing itself rather than the cell. These housings crack, the internal contact pads wear down, and on a key this age that gets used daily, the board inside can develop a cold solder joint. At that point, a new fob programmed to the car is the cleaner fix.

Question 4

I bought a replacement fob for my 1999 SC online. Can I program it myself, or do I need a tech?

Accepted Answer

There is a remote programming procedure for the 1999 SC that does not require a scan tool for the remote functions specifically. It involves a sequence using the door lock switch and the ignition. That said, this only registers the remote portion of the fob. The transponder chip side still needs to be addressed separately for the car to recognize the key and allow the engine to start. If you only need the lock and unlock buttons to work and your original key blade is still functional, the DIY remote sequence may get you there. If you need a fully working replacement that starts the car, that side of the job requires the right programming equipment. Call me before you go too far down a path that gets you halfway there.

Question 5

The remote buttons on my 1999 SC stopped working, but the key still starts the car fine. Are those two things connected?

Accepted Answer

Not directly. The remote functions and the ignition security system operate independently on this car. The blade turning in the cylinder and the transponder doing its job have nothing to do with whether the lock and unlock buttons are transmitting a signal. So if the car starts fine but the remote is dead, you are most likely looking at a battery issue, a failed transmitter board inside the fob, or a receiver module problem on the car side. Swap the CR1616 first. If that does not bring the remote back, I can test whether the fob is transmitting at all, which tells you pretty quickly whether the problem is the fob or the car.

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