Scion tC Key Fob Programming by Year

Can you program a tC fob without the dealer? For most years, yes. Pick your year for the route and best next step.

Find your year

YearDIY onboard?How it programsWorking fob?Erase riskConfidenceBest next step
2005, 2007YesYes - onboard relearnNo (all-keys-lost OK)YesHighFollow the steps below
2006, 2008–2009YesYes - onboard relearnNo (all-keys-lost OK)PossibleMedFollow the steps below
2010YesYes - onboard relearnYes (1 working)PossibleMedFollow the steps below
2011–2012YesYes - onboard relearnNo (all-keys-lost OK)PossibleMedFollow the steps below
2013YesYes - onboard relearnNo (all-keys-lost OK)YesMedFollow the steps below

Scion tC key types & programming facts

2005-2013 Scion tC models in the U.S./Canada use a remote-head key that combines the mechanical ignition/door key and a built-in keyless entry remote, with an embedded transponder chip for the immobilizer. Programming typically involves cutting the new key to match the existing locks, then registering the transponder chip and remote functions to the vehicle using onboard procedures or a capable scan tool, depending on equipment and locksmith/dealer practices. Owners are usually advised to have at least one working master key present for programming and to use an automotive locksmith or dealer for reliable results.

Key types used on the tC:

  • remote-head key with embedded transponder chip (mechanical blade + built-in 3‑button remote) (2005-2013)

Common fob FCC IDs: MOZB41TG — check the back of your fob; we confirm the exact variant on site.

2005, 2007 Scion tC

Route verified — exact steps vary by trim/equipment

Route verified as onboard programming (no dealer needed). The sequences below are general route guidance — use them only if your vehicle shows the same prompts and controls. If the prompts don’t match, stop and call us.

Show the programming methods (19 steps)

Programming Procedure

Programming step
1 Drivers door open and key removed from ignition switch.
Remove the key
2 Within 5 seconds, insert and remove key from ignition switch twice.
Close the doors
3 Within 40 seconds, close and open drivers door twice.
Remove the key
4 Insert and remove key from ignition switch (additional step before next door cycles).
Close the doors
5 Insert key into ignition switch and close the drivers door.

Mode Selection and Ignition Cycles

Cycle the ignition ON/OFF
1 Switch ignition ON and OFF once to program a remote while retaining original codes.
Cycle the ignition ON/OFF
2 Switch ignition ON and OFF twice to program remote while erasing the original code.
Cycle the ignition ON/OFF
3 Switch ignition ON and OFF three times to check number of currently registered remotes.
Cycle the ignition ON/OFF
4 Switch ignition ON and OFF five times to erase all registered remotes.
Remove the key
5 Remove key from ignition switch after mode selection.

System Feedback and Indicators

Press LOCK + UNLOCK
1 System should lock and unlock vehicle once, twice, or five times depending on selected mode.
Programming step
2 Once to four times, slowly, to indicate how many remotes are programmed.
Press LOCK + UNLOCK
3 System should lock and unlock vehicle after remote registration confirmation.
Cycle the ignition ON/OFF
4 Two lock/unlock cycles indicate programming has failed.
Programming step
5 Opening drivers door exits programming mode.

Remote Registration Steps

Press LOCK + UNLOCK
1 Within 40 seconds: Press and release LOCK and UNLOCK buttons simultaneously on the remote.
Press LOCK + UNLOCK
2 Within 3 seconds: Press remote LOCK or UNLOCK button to register.
Press LOCK + UNLOCK
3 Within 40 seconds, repeat simultaneous LOCK and UNLOCK step to program additional remotes.
Cycle the ignition ON/OFF
4 Confirmation provided by vehicle lock/unlock cycles.

2006, 2008–2009 Scion tC

Route verified — exact steps vary by trim/equipment

Route verified as onboard programming (no dealer needed). The sequences below are general route guidance — use them only if your vehicle shows the same prompts and controls. If the prompts don’t match, stop and call us.

Show the programming methods (15 steps)

Preparation Steps

Programming step
1 Drivers door open, key removed from ignition switch.
Remove the key
2 Within 5 seconds, insert and remove key from ignition switch twice.
Close the doors
3 Within 40 seconds, close and open drivers door twice.
Remove the key
4 Insert and remove key from ignition switch (additional single cycle).
Close the doors
5 Within 40 seconds, close and open drivers door twice (second sequence).

Entering Programming Mode

Close the doors
1 Insert key into ignition switch and close the drivers door.
Cycle the ignition ON/OFF
2 Switch ignition ON and OFF once to program while retaining original codes.
Cycle the ignition ON/OFF
3 Switch ignition ON and OFF twice to program while erasing the original code.
Cycle the ignition ON/OFF
4 Switch ignition ON and OFF three times to check number of remotes currently registered.
Cycle the ignition ON/OFF
5 Switch ignition ON and OFF five times to erase all registered remotes.

Programming Remotes

Remove the key
1 Remove key from ignition switch after selecting mode.
Press LOCK + UNLOCK
2 System should now lock and unlock vehicle once, twice, or five times depending on selected mode.
Press LOCK + UNLOCK
3 Within 40 seconds: press and release LOCK and UNLOCK buttons simultaneously on the vehicle.
Press LOCK + UNLOCK
4 Within 3 seconds: press remote LOCK or UNLOCK button to register remote.
Press LOCK + UNLOCK
5 System confirmation: LOCK and UNLOCK once to confirm registration, twice to indicate programming has failed.

2010 Scion tC

Route verified — exact steps vary by trim/equipment

Route verified as onboard programming (no dealer needed). The sequences below are general route guidance — use them only if your vehicle shows the same prompts and controls. If the prompts don’t match, stop and call us.

Show the programming methods (19 steps)

Pre-Programming Setup

Programming step
1 Begin with the key out of the ignition
Programming step
2 OPEN and UNLOCK the DRIVER’s side door
Close the doors
3 CLOSE all other doors including the trunk
Wait / timing window
4 Ensure all steps proceed within specified timing (examples reference 5 seconds)
Programming step
5 Prepare all remotes intended for programming before entering programming mode

Ignition and Door Sequence to Enter Programming Mode

Insert the key
1 Within 5 seconds INSERT the key into the ignition and PULL it out TWICE
Close the doors
2 CLOSE then OPEN the DRIVER’s side door TWICE
Insert the key
3 Insert key INTO the ignition then REMOVE it (sequence repeated)
Insert the key
4 Insert the key INTO the ignition and LEAVE it in the ignition
Close the doors
5 CLOSE the DRIVER’s side door, then SWITCH ignition to ON then OFF, then REMOVE the key

Remote Programming Procedure

Cycle the ignition ON/OFF
1 Door locks will cycle to confirm vehicle entered programming mode
Press LOCK + UNLOCK
2 PUSH and HOLD the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons for 1.5 seconds on the first remote being programmed
Press / hold a fob button
3 Immediately after releasing, PUSH the LOCK button and HOLD it for 2 seconds
Cycle the ignition ON/OFF
4 Door locks will cycle to confirm successful programming of the remote
Programming step
5 Repeat the remote programming step for any additional remotes

Completion and Troubleshooting Notes

Programming step
1 OPEN the DRIVER’s side door to complete programming
Programming step
2 Key Fob Not Working? Suggestion to try replacing the battery
Programming step
3 Links referenced for finding key fob battery and replacement key fob (Click Here)
Programming step
4 Website and policy references: Home, Disclaimer, YouTube, Privacy Policy

2011–2012 Scion tC

Route verified — exact steps vary by trim/equipment

Route verified as onboard programming (no dealer needed). The sequences below are general route guidance — use them only if your vehicle shows the same prompts and controls. If the prompts don’t match, stop and call us.

Show the programming methods (15 steps)

Initial Door and Key Steps

Close the doors
1 OPEN and UNLOCK driver side door; CLOSE all other doors including trunk
Insert the key
2 Within 5 seconds INSERT key into ignition and PULL it out TWICE
Close the doors
3 CLOSE then OPEN driver side door TWICE
Insert the key
4 Insert key INTO the ignition then REMOVE it
Close the doors
5 CLOSE then OPEN driver side door TWICE (repeat sequence)

Entering Programming Mode

Insert the key
1 Insert key INTO the ignition and LEAVE it in ignition
Close the doors
2 CLOSE the driver side door after key insertion
Programming step
3 Switch ignition to ON then OFF
Remove the key
4 REMOVE the key from ignition after cycling
Cycle the ignition ON/OFF
5 Door locks will cycle to confirm successful entry into programming mode

Remote Programming Procedure

Press LOCK + UNLOCK
1 PUSH and HOLD LOCK and UNLOCK buttons for 1.5 seconds on first remote being programmed
Press / hold a fob button
2 Immediately after release, PUSH and HOLD LOCK button for 2 seconds
Cycle the ignition ON/OFF
3 Door locks will cycle to confirm successful programming of the remote
Programming step
4 Repeat PUSH/hold steps for any additional remotes
Programming step
5 If no additional remotes, proceed to finalization step

2013 Scion tC

Route verified — exact steps vary by trim/equipment

Route verified as onboard programming (no dealer needed). The sequences below are general route guidance — use them only if your vehicle shows the same prompts and controls. If the prompts don’t match, stop and call us.

Show the programming methods (24 steps)

Vehicle/Key Requirements

Programming step
1 Remote portion programmed using on-board procedure outlined.
Programming step
2 Key portion may require locksmith for cutting if transponder present.
Programming step
3 Non-transponder key portion requires only cutting, no programming.
Programming step
4 Smart Key System requires special equipment for programming (no on-board procedure).
Programming step
5 Begin programming with key out of ignition.

Pre-Entry Setup Steps

Programming step
1 Open and unlock driver’s side door.
Close the doors
2 Close all other doors including trunk.
Remove the key
3 Ensure steps to insert/remove key occur within specified time windows (e.g., within 5 seconds for initial insertion).
Programming step
4 Start sequence by inserting key into ignition and pulling out twice.
Programming step
5 Follow door open/close sequences exactly before ignition insertion.

Ignition and Door Manipulations

Close the doors
1 After initial key pull-out, close then open driver’s door twice.
Insert the key
2 Insert key into ignition then remove it as part of sequence.
Programming step
3 Repeat close/open driver’s door twice before final ignition insertion.
Insert the key
4 Insert key and leave it in ignition for subsequent steps.
Close the doors
5 Close driver’s door before switching ignition states.

Programming Mode Confirmation and Remote Programming

Cycle the ignition ON/OFF
1 Switch ignition to ON then OFF after key left in ignition.
Remove the key
2 Remove key; door locks will cycle to confirm entry into programming mode.
Press LOCK + UNLOCK
3 For each remote: push and hold LOCK and UNLOCK for 1.5 seconds.
Wait / timing window
4 Immediately after releasing, push and hold LOCK for 2 seconds to complete remote programming.
Cycle the ignition ON/OFF
5 Door locks will cycle to confirm successful programming of each remote.

Completion and Troubleshooting Links

Programming step
1 If additional remotes exist, repeat the remote programming step for each.
Programming step
2 Open driver’s side door to exit programming; programming is complete.
Programming step
3 Suggests replacing key fob battery if key fob not working (link provided).
Programming step
4 Provides link for finding a replacement key fob if needed.

How we validate this guide

Year coverage comes from our consolidated vehicle programming dataset. Route-level programming status is reviewed against internal route sheets and available manufacturer, security-access, and professional tool references. Exact button sequences are marked source-verified only when we have year/equipment-specific support; where a year is labeled “route verified, steps vary,” we confirm the exact fob, trim, and prompts before programming. Reviewed for route and safety by Mohammad H. Abdelhadi, ALOA-Certified Master Locksmith.

YearRoute statusExact steps
2005, 2007Route verifiedGeneral guidance
2006, 2008–2009Route verifiedGeneral guidance
2010Route verifiedGeneral guidance
2011–2012Route verifiedGeneral guidance
2013Route verifiedGeneral guidance

Common questions

What kind of key does my 2005-2013 Scion tC use?

It uses a 3‑button remote-head key with a built-in transponder chip for the immobilizer and a mechanical blade for the ignition and door locks.

Can I program a replacement Scion tC key myself?

Some owners report onboard programming for remotes, but the transponder chip generally must be programmed with dealer or automotive locksmith equipment for proper starting and security.

Is there a specific FCC ID I should match for my Scion tC key fob?

Many 2005-2013 Scion tC remote-head keys list FCC ID MOZB41TG; you should verify the FCC ID on your existing key or by VIN before ordering.

Can you program a tC key fob without going to the dealership?

For most years, yes - the route is onboard relearn or an OBD tool, both of which a mobile locksmith handles at your location.

Does this program the remote only, or the transponder key too?

It depends on your key type. Tell us your FCC ID and we will confirm.

What if my year says professional programming required?

Those years need a programmer or security access; we bring the tool to you and program it on site.

How much does it cost?

It depends on year, key type, and whether you have a working key. Call (833) 439-8636 for a firm price before we dispatch.

Need your tC fob programmed? We come to you, 24/7.
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