I bought an 2004 camry (4 cylinder) from Insurance Auto Auctions. It has a key but not chipped key. When I called Toyota Dealership, they said immobilizer need to be reflashed to accept new key. I wonder if anybody here has done this before? How hard is it? Thanks

 

Does the engine start with the key(s) you have?

 

no. It will crank but will not start

 

The car came with a chipped master key. If lost the computer needs to be reflashed to accept a new chipped key to become the master key.

You need a chipped key cut to the unlock all the doors and have someone reflash the computer. Reflashing can cost $150-200. If doing this have another master key made and store it in a safe place.

Check the key you have to determine if it unlocks the glove box. Some keys called valet don't unlock all locks.

The dealer and perhaps a locksmith can cut a chipped key from the VIN.

 

I heard that the eeprom can be read using the eeprom programmer, then using something like immo killer or immo cleaner to clean up, then write it back to the eeprom chip and it will accept new keys. I have transponder key made already, just need to reflash the eeprom, thanks.

 

You need someone with the equipment and skills to reflash (or if possible modify) the eeprom. This means a dealer or locksmith setup to do this.

 

Locksmith came with a square box that connect to obd port but cannot reflash the ECU. It keeps saying ECU not found.

 

Could be a communication problem with the ECU. Check all fuses including OBD 7.5A fuse.

Check ECU communication by connecting an ODBII scanner. Determine if this can communicate with the ECU.

Given this is an insurance car, check for the presence of the ECU, damaged wiring, etc.

 

checked all fuses. Replaced cigarette fuse. It seems like it try to read but failed. I didn't try with regular ODB scan tool yet

 

Could also be a bad connection at ECU, check the harness plugs.