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Keyless ignition seems like mostly a bad thing to me (they seem more unsafe and prone to complications than a simple key-based ignition). The vehicles I'm interested in are starting to come with keyless ignition as a standard. Does this mean I'm stuck with it and need to adapt, or can I adapt the car to meet my preference?

Is there any way to get a key-based ignition on a car that only comes from the factory with keyless ignition? My guess is no but I thought I'd ask.

Edit: I'm particularly interested in a 3rd gen Toyota Tacoma with rear locking differential (that locking diff only comes on the higher end trims, which all come with keyless ignition). This is a general query though as it also applies to a Lexus and a Prius that family & friends own.

cr0
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the higher end trims, which all come with keyless ignition

So, I'm going to actually go against the crowd here and say, yes, this is completely manageable.

Think about it- If they sell the same year model of Tacoma with a keyed ignition module, buy that. It should be designed to enable/disable roughly the same features as the "base model" that comes keyed. It may even be plug and play once you actually get to the ignition module which will likely require pulling the dash. But is it possible without any real electronic complications? Sure. Pick up a wiring diagram and you'll be able to see which, if any, wires are different between the two modules.

justinm410
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Brain dump, no real experience

With keyless ignition, you have a key fob, some sensors that detect the key fob, and some sort of ECU that interprets the input from the sensors. If this whole setup is separate of the ECU/BCM, it might be easy to rip out and replace with the ignition switch. If it is integrated, you will need to find some way to trick the sensors into always saying your fob is present, then wire in an ignition switch. You should be able to utilize the output of the existing ECU or key fob logic module to the appropriate circuits (full time power, accessories, run, start).

After the change, it would likely be VERY easy to hotwire the car, given that the thief can find the ignition switch.

A few other things to consider - steering lock, transmission lock (so you can shift out of park), automatic door locks.

rpmerf
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In this vehicle in particular, no, this is not really possible.

(I know this is an older question, but I've heard it IRL before so others may find it useful)

The PTS version will have an electronic steering lock, and (from diagrams I'm fairly certain) different BCMs (with different firmware or settings at the very least). Additionally, the immobilizer strategies used by the models are different. With proper bypassing of the immobilizer it may be possible to artificially replicate the 'turn-key' style by sending the right signals to the certification ECU (authenticates key data), BCM (likely needs to see a signal indicating the brake is being pressed), Steering-lock module (for obvious reasons), gauge cluster (on these models they're aware of the key system), etc, but it won't meaningfully change the operation of the vehicle.

More broadly, it might be more straightforward in some select vehicles, but the only ones I can speak to are Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge/Ram vehicles of a few years ago, but they're kinda backwards. In some years, on some of those vehicles the PTS or TIP-Key module can be switched out and operate in some capacity. The gotcha is that the tip-key versions are basically stripped down push-to-start systems, where the SKREEM module (the module controlling start/stop) is communicating with the rest of the vehicle in the same fashion whether turn-key or PTS. The vehicle still has automated cranking, anti-grind/overcrank protection, and it's still just a module sending (possibly encrypted) commands over a few wires to the modules actually powering up the circuits.

After years of installing remote start systems (basically automatically hotwiring/starting vehicles), I've never come across a PTS vehicle that could be started in the same fashion as its traditional-key counterpart.

isaacparrot
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