Ok, I lost my master black key....
I read somewhere that the dealer can barely cut the keys... was this just for 03s or something, or is it true for the 3gens too? Can I just go get my spare copied or should I go to the stealership?

Thanks guys,

 

c'mon, somebody has to know this...?

 

A dealer should be able to do it. I'd call or email some of the online-dealer patrs places. I think if they have your VIN, they can cut you a new key and send it to your door. When you say black master key, do you mean it has the door lock/alarm clicker built in? I'm just curious because my SR5 (your '98 is Ltd.) just has the regulat thin metal keys, and one of the spares was cut by a hardware store...

 

If yours is a Limited, the black master key is needed to program additional keys. That's if your year came with the transponder chip inside the key head, neccessary to start the car if it has the immobilization security feature. An easy way to test is, make a cheap copy on a regular key (thin metal, no black top) and try to start your car.

 

Mine is a '99 limited, and I had to buy a blank transponder key off ebay, and then program it. Then I put my Master key in a safe place. If I lost the master, I wouldn't be able to program any more keys, and they said I would have to replace the whole security system at a $2000 cost. Luckily you have a backup copy, just not sure if you can make any more. Hang onto that spare!!