2002 Toyota RAV4, Transponder?
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Security and Convenience
Forum Discription: Car Alarms, Keyless Entries, Remote Starters, Immobilizer Bypasses, Sensors, Door Locks, Window Modules, Heated Mirrors, Heated Seats, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=73562
Printed Date: July 20, 2025 at 6:03 AM
Topic: 2002 Toyota RAV4, Transponder?
Posted By: dj hellfire
Subject: 2002 Toyota RAV4, Transponder?
Date Posted: February 26, 2006 at 8:14 PM
I just bought my mother-in-law a remote starter, the same one I just intalled in my car last week, DEI Valet 562T. I cannot seem to find any credible sources online that can tell me for sure whether her 2002 Toyota RAV4 4WD has a transponder system or not. I don't really trust design-tech.com because they had my Elantra listed as having a transponder and needing a bypass module, which is completely false. The dealer was no help. RAV4 forums are no help. Any of you BB, CC, or local shop installers have any idea?
Replies:
Posted By: mad550
Date Posted: February 26, 2006 at 8:16 PM
I don't know about your RAV 4's but here in Australia they don't.
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WOW Sight and Sound
Maroochydore
Nothing is impossible!
Do it right the first time or don't do it at all.
Posted By: sparkie
Date Posted: February 26, 2006 at 9:04 PM
Some do and some don't. Check to see if there is a security light in the instrument cluster that illuminates when you first turn the key to the ignition position. If you remove the plasticc shroud around the steering column and there is a black plastic ring and small module surrounding the end of the ignition key cylinder, then yes there is a transponder immobilizer in the vehicle.
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sparky
Posted By: Hornshockey
Date Posted: February 26, 2006 at 10:46 PM
you could also just have a metal key blank cut at home depot or a similar place. If the plain key starts the car and it runs, there ya go! no transponder. Cheap, easy way to verify.
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Life moves pretty fast; if you don't stop and look around once in a while; you could miss it.
Posted By: JWorm
Date Posted: February 26, 2006 at 11:55 PM
I believe it is possible, but very rare for that vehicle to have one. I think the top model has it...possibly with a V6 engine if that was even an option.
Go to google and do an image search for "Toyota transponder key" and you will se what the transponder keys look like.
Posted By: Chris Luongo
Date Posted: February 27, 2006 at 6:16 AM
I don't believe it has a transponder key---that body style of RAV4 didn't seem to be equipped with ANY type of security, for that matter.
I've done a lot of work for Toyota dealerships-----I've never seen a single RAV4 with a transonder key. Keyless entry is a VERY uncommon $250 option.
I believe I have seen a couple of them with the dealer-installed Toyota VIP alarm system, but that's it.
I'm not sure why some of those tech sheets falsely list transponders in so many cars. Maybe Canadian models have that feature, and they don't go to the trouble to distinguish U.S. cars from Canadian ones?
Posted By: thepencil
Date Posted: February 27, 2006 at 8:17 AM
Hornshockey wrote:
you could also just have a metal key blank cut at home depot or a similar place. If the plain key starts the car and it runs, there ya go! no transponder. Cheap, easy way to verify.
Go with this suggestion. ------------- Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. 
Posted By: dj hellfire
Date Posted: February 27, 2006 at 4:24 PM
Hornshockey wrote:
you could also just have a metal key blank cut at home depot or a similar place. If the plain key starts the car and it runs, there ya go! no transponder. Cheap, easy way to verify.
That is exactly what my next step was going to be, but I figured I'd ask before I try that. JWorm] wrote:
believe it is possible, but very rare for that vehicle to have one. I think the top model has it...possibly with a V6 engine if that was even an option.
Go to google and do an image search for "Toyota transponder key" and you will se what the transponder keys look like.
Yeah, no V6 option for that year. I also tried the google search thing and nothing reliable came up. Chris Luongo wrote:
I don't believe it has a transponder key---that body style of RAV4 didn't seem to be equipped with ANY type of security, for that matter.
I've done a lot of work for Toyota dealerships-----I've never seen a single RAV4 with a transonder key. Keyless entry is a VERY uncommon $250 option.
Well, the 2004 model, which is the same body style as the 2002, does have the transponder. That's why I wasn't sure if it was possible for the 2002's to have one too. Circuit City's website also says the 2002 has a transponder. Anyway, I took a bunch of pics so you guys can see for sure and let me know if this is a transponder module. It looks like it, but I am not sure.
[IMG]https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b166/djhellfire/DSCN1765.jpg[/IMG] 
Posted By: kgerry
Date Posted: February 27, 2006 at 4:37 PM
nope, doesnt appear to......
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Kevin Gerry
Certified Electronics Technician
MECP First Class Installer
Owner/Installer
Classic Car Audio
since 1979
Posted By: JWorm
Date Posted: February 27, 2006 at 5:12 PM
definately not a transponder
Posted By: mobilecustoms
Date Posted: February 27, 2006 at 5:34 PM
i would say no transponder. Install the remote start and try it if it works, no transponder. If it doesnt, you have a transponder. But looking at the key, you dont.
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Posted By: dj hellfire
Date Posted: February 27, 2006 at 5:47 PM
Now I am pissed because I listened to Circuit City's web site and design-tech's web site and I spent $40 on this stupid bypass module yesterday, which was stupid of me. So tonight, I was still unsure and desided to go to Home Depot to copy the key and see if it would work. And it did start the car. I wish I had done this first. $1.87 is a hell of a lot better than $40!
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