Lost your 2005 Prius key fob or need to program a new one? You’re in the right place. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of programming a new genuine Toyota key fob for your 2005 Prius. Often referred to as the “chicken dance,” this procedure can be done at home, saving you a trip to the dealership.
Important Disclaimer: This programming procedure is specifically for brand new, genuine Toyota key fobs purchased from a Toyota dealer. Fobs from unauthorized sources, like many on eBay, are often second-hand or factory rejects and may not fully function, especially regarding Smart Key System (SKS) features. This guide is exclusively for 2nd Generation (Gen II) Toyota Prius models.
This guide is based on extensive community testing and is designed to be foolproof. However, if you encounter any issues, please let us know in the comments!
Procedure A: Initial Programming for Start/Stop Functionality (All Fobs)
This initial procedure is crucial for all new key fobs, regardless of whether they are black or chrome logo fobs or if your Prius has Smart Key System (SKS) functionality. These steps program the basic start/stop engine function when the fob is inserted into the key port.
Steps:
- Enter your Prius, close and unlock all doors, and ensure the car is completely off.
- Take your old, working key fob and insert it into the key slot, then remove it. Repeat this process four times in a row. On the fifth insertion, leave the old fob in the slot.
- Open and close the driver’s side door six times.
- Remove the old fob from the slot. At this point, your Prius should be in key fob programming mode. The red anti-theft light on the dashboard will remain illuminated.
- Insert your new key fob into the slot and leave it there for a full minute. Observe the blinking red anti-theft light. When the light stops flashing and turns off completely, the start/stop programming for your new fob is complete.
- Remove the new fob.
Alt text: Close-up of a 2005 Toyota Prius key fob with chrome logo, highlighting the lock and unlock buttons, used for remote door access and smart key system programming.
Next Steps:
- For Chrome Logo Key Fobs with SKS: Proceed to PROCEDURE B to program remote lock/unlock and Smart Key functionality.
- For Black Logo Key Fobs without SKS: Proceed to PROCEDURE C to program remote lock/unlock functionality.
Procedure B: Programming Chrome Logo Key Fobs for SKS Functionality
This procedure is specifically for chrome logo key fobs on 2005 Prius models equipped with the Smart Key System (SKS). These steps will program the remote lock/unlock functions and enable the Smart Key functionality, allowing you to start and access your Prius without physically using the key fob buttons in close proximity.
Steps:
- Open the driver’s side door and leave it open. Ensure the door is unlocked and no key fob is in the slot. Other doors can be locked or unlocked. Complete step 2 within 5 seconds.
- Insert your old, working key fob into the slot and remove it twice. Complete steps 3 and 4 within 40 seconds of completing step 2.
- Close and open the driver’s side door twice.
- Insert and remove the old key fob once. Complete steps 5, 6, 7, and 8 within 40 seconds of completing step 4.
- Close and open the driver’s side door twice again.
- Insert the old key fob into the slot and close the driver’s door.
- Without pressing the brake pedal, press the power button once, wait a second, press it again, wait another second, and press it a third time to turn the car back off.
- Remove the old key fob from the slot. Your Prius should now be in “add mode.” Within 3 seconds, the car should automatically lock and unlock the doors to confirm it has entered add mode. (The number of lock/unlock cycles may vary slightly by model, but it should cycle at least once). If the doors do not cycle, return to step 1 and repeat. If they do cycle, proceed to step 9.
Alt text: Dashboard view of a 2005 Toyota Prius, focusing on the blinking red anti-theft light indicator, essential for monitoring key fob programming progress.
Programming the New Fob: Steps 9a, 9b, and 9c should be started within 40 seconds of completing step 8.
9a. Press and hold the Lock and Unlock buttons simultaneously on your OLD/MASTER key fob. Hold for a couple of seconds. The door locks should cycle once. If they don’t cycle, the CR 2032 battery in your old fob may be weak. Replace the battery and try again.
9b. Press and hold the Lock and Unlock buttons simultaneously on your NEW key fob. Hold for about 1.5 seconds. Some users report needing to repeat this step twice for success. If it doesn’t work the first time, try it again, executing this step twice.
9c. Within three seconds, press the Lock button on your NEW key fob. If successful, the door locks will cycle once to indicate successful programming. It may take a moment for the lock/unlock cycle to occur. Wait patiently for up to a minute before assuming failure.
9d. If you need to program another new key fob, repeat steps 9a, 9b, and 9c for each additional new fob. If you are finished programming fobs, proceed to step 10.
10. To exit programming mode, either open and then close the driver’s door or insert any key fob into the key slot.
Procedure C: Programming Black Logo Key Fobs for Non-SKS Models
This procedure is for black logo key fobs designed for 2005 Prius models without the Smart Key System (SKS). These steps will program the remote lock/unlock functionality for your new fob.
Steps:
- Open the driver’s door and ensure all doors are unlocked with no key fob in the slot.
- Insert your old, working key fob into the slot and remove it twice within 5 seconds.
- Close and open the driver’s door twice.
- Insert and remove the old key fob once.
- Close and open the driver’s door twice again.
- Insert the old key fob into the slot and close the door.
- Without pressing the brake pedal, press the power button once, wait a second, press it again, wait another second, and press it a third time to turn the car back off.
- Remove the old key fob from the slot. You are now in “add mode.”
- The car should automatically lock and unlock the doors twice to verify it is in add mode.
- Press and hold both buttons (Lock and Unlock) on the NEW key fob simultaneously for about 1.5 seconds.
- Within 3 seconds, press only the Lock button on the new key fob.
- The car should respond with one quick lock/unlock cycle to confirm successful programming of the new fob. If the car responds with two lock/unlock cycles, the programming was unsuccessful. Try again, ensure your fob is compatible, or you may have too many fobs programmed to your vehicle.
- To exit programming mode, open and then close the driver’s door or insert any key fob into the slot.
Key Fob Part Numbers:
- OEM Fob Part # for Smart Access (SKS): 89994-47061
- OEM Fob Part # for Non-Smart Access (Non-SKS): 89070-47180
Pro Tip: Practice these steps a few times as a “dry run” without the new fob to familiarize yourself with the timing and sequence.
This guide is a result of combined efforts and experiences from the Prius community. We hope this helps you successfully program your 2005 Prius key fob!
