pendrag

My wife's 1999 4runner was down to one transponder key since she keeps losing the stupid things. I got a regular copy of the key (non-transponder) at Walmart so I could open the door in case she locked her key in the car, intending to later on get a replacement transponder so we'd have both. I tried the non-transponder key in the door and it opened, and then for giggles, I tried it in the ignition. Started right up and I drove home! I thought perhaps the transponder key in my pocket was close enough it was being picked up anyway, so when I got home, I left the transponder key in the house and tried again...the non-transponder key started the truck again.

So I guess my question is: can I trust this key to continue to work? I'd love to be able to quit bothering with transponder keys in this truck, and just use regular keys. I'm just worried I'd be off somewhere with only a non-transponder key, and then something would reset and I'd be stranded. Is that likely?

rworegon

My guess is you have a transponder key lost under a seat or someplace else inside the rig that the ignition is sensing. If so, you may be able to trust it until the transponder battery goes dead.