All posts by Francois Nguyen

Toyota remote and transponder programming

geeking

I got used (2007) Toyota Camry.

It came with 2 keys, one of them had the hook broken. The key has a transponder and a remote in the handle.

I did not feel like paying $200 for a replacement key at the dealership.

I found that one can get a key shell (on ebay). The key will need to be cut but the transponder and remote can be moved from the old shell to the new shell.

I also found that full replacement key are not a lot more expensive (about $20) but will need to be programmed.

A local locksmith offered to sell me key clones (without the remote) for about $60. The key with remote was more. He also offered to do just the programming. i don’t remember his rate but it was $50 or $100.

I found on ebay and amazon some key programming tools. They run $15-$20.

After ordering and receiving everything, i asked at OSH for the cutting of the key. I know that locksmith typically charge more for auto keys are they are usually stainless steel and require a key cutting machine that will handle stainless steel. OSH quoted me $3 per key for just cutting them.

I was at home depot, and i got them to cut it for free as they don’t have a sell code for just cutting.

Programming took some patience but worked well. i was worried to brick my car.

Using the instructions on the programmer and youtube, i could figure out how to program both the remote and the key to my car. Or more correctly how to program the car to like the remote and the key transponder.

If you try it, the key is to be patient. Programming the remote was easy and quick but the programming of the transponder took a good 30 seconds; on my first few attempts, i was not patient enough and thought it had failed and interrupted the process early.

All in all, I saved over $350 and have a programmer to program more Toyota car keys.

The tool i got : “OBD2 Auto Remote Key Programmer Maker For 96-15 Toyota G and H Chip Scanner Tool”  A green case with a switch for programming either the remote part of the key or the transponder. $23.49 including shipping.

The keys i got: “2 Remote Keyless Entry Car Key Fob for 2007 2008 2009 2010 Toyota Camry hyq12bby” $18.49 including shipping.

The key shell: “Replacement for 2007-2010 Toyota Camry Sedan Remote Car Key Fob Shell Case”  $4.70 including shipping

 

Bread machine Panettone

recipe

At work, i was trying to impress some Italian co-workers  with a Panettone. To do a proper one you need a special pan and the matching paper liners. They are all available at amazon but it seems overkill so i looked for a bread machine recipe.

I found one on allrecipes and tried it. After a few tests, here is my version; much moister than the original but some people have said it’s missing something, i will try with some orange flower water next time.

Here goes. Chuck in the bread machine :

  • 1 cup warm milk (microwave it for 45 seconds)
  • 1/2 stick of butter (microwave for 1 minute)
  • 2 eggs ( don’t leave the shell but don’t bother mixing them)
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 6 – 8 tbsp sugar

On top of that, pour 3 cups all purpose flour, then 2 tsp bread yeast in one corner, and 1 tsp salt in the other.

Put some raisins in a cup, add boiling water and let it sit for a minute so the raisins get hydrated, then drain the water, and chuck the raisins in the pan.

Select the sweet bread program, Light cooking mode, press start and ignore it until it’s over (2hours 50 minutes for me). As soon as it’s done, take it off the pan and put a cloth towel on it so it does not dry out.

That’s it.

Variations:

  • Use candied fruits instead of raisins. I did that the first time and it works well but then i ran out of candied fruits. candied watermelon is my preferred option.
  • Try flavors like Orange flower water on top or instead of vanilla.
  • Try some natural yeast to get larger and less even holes in the dough.

 

My apps -familo.net

Uncategorized

Second part in this series about the apps I use.

Familo.net is an app (android and apple) that allows me to share my location with other family members. I can control how much is shared: only specific places – like home, school work- or any location.

It makes it easy for my wife to see when i reached the train station or have arrived at work. It makes it easy to meet outside.

It also useful when you went to remember when you left a specific place by looking at the history.

So the first step is to install the app on each device and register users, then decide how much you want to share, finally create a set of family places.
A user can only be part of a family.

You can associate notification when users enter or leave a family place.

I have asked them for a few enhancements; one of them is about creating a virtual place based on where my phone saw my car stereo last. it would make it easy to find my car again after shopping.

It’s a great app and i sometimes wonder how i survived without it before!

I am not sure what is their business model as they don’t seem to want money or do anything with the collected data.