Toyota Key Origination

For the average locksmith, originating a key for a vehicle can be a time consuming task. Especially on the older model vehicles. On most older makes and models, in order to make a key, there is a code that would need to be retrieved either from the ignition cylinder or the door lock depending on the type of vehicle and key that is needed to be made. Some manufactures has made things a little easier offering the codes to be available to purchase which will make things a little more expensive for the customer. However sometimes, an experience locksmith will find a way where some manufactures provided the code inside the vehicle where nothing would be needed to be taken apart.

A few years ago I remember being called to originate a new key for a 94 Toyota Corolla after the customer accidentally damaged it. Back then I did not have any experience making a key for this particular model, but I figured it shouldn't be any different than most vehicles I did where the code to make the key could be find on the door lock or ignition cylinder. I decided to take the job and started heading to the customer's location.

When I got to the customer's address I pulled out the locksmith guides to see what would be the easiest way to make a key and I saw that both the door lock and the ignition cylinder should have a code stamped on them. Since I never took apart an ignition from a Toyota at that period of time, I decided to try the door lock first. When I started removing the door panel I ran across couple of bolts that didn't want to budge. Since it was an old vehicle I wasn't surprise, but I needed to figure out another way to make a key.

At that point I figured my only option was to take the ignition apart, but since I wasn't sure how to do it, I called a fellow Spokane locksmith of mine for some tips. As I got him on the phone, he mentioned something that I didn't know and wasn't on the guides as well. Apparently, under the rubber coating of the original key, there should be a code. I then took the customer's damaged key which luckily was the original one, peeled the rubber coating which revealed the code and I was able to make a key without taking apart anything.