Key won't turn, only choice is very expensive

So i've been using my spare key for about 3 months now and a few days ago, it started getting real difficult to turn the key but with a bit of effort it would eventually turn. Then one morning it just completely stopped so i had to send the truck to the shop. They took the ignition barrel out and cleaned it or wtv and they sanded the key a bit and apparently the key was working every second try, which was better then before. but when they installed it back in the truck, completely stopped working.
so i was wondering if anyone has had this problem because to repair this problem, its gona be really expensive and i wanted to know if there is another way.
They basically told me that i need to get my truck towed to the dealership which is 30min away. they will then change the barrel, then they have to order the keys from toyota canada, and because theres a chip in the key, theyll have to reprogram the whole truck.
they said it'll cost me over 1000$ for sure.....
And if that isn't enough, ill be without a truck for the whole week. No truck... no work.
They told me that maybe my original key would work since ive been using my spare.
so i drove to my parents house 1h30 away to pick up the key and ill be heading to the shop tomorrow morning to try it,... keeping my fingers crossed.

 

Good luck!!

 

I'd check with a top notch locksmith. There's a fair chance a dealer would sublet to one anyway.......... It costs nothing to ask, and I know that chipped keys are done by them here.

But posts like this make me grateful, again, my lowly base doesn't have one...........

 

this. had a local locksmith re program mine when a key was "lost" (figured stolen, turned out i was probably right) at work a few years ago. total cost was about $300.


on a side note, I don't think the barrel portion has to do with the chip. they may be able to just replace that part of it and reprogram new keys. if the locksmith is good, he may just be able to fix the barrel to accept the current keys. that's what my guy did with the door locks and ignition.

 

I actually asked when i went ot the shop... i read somewhere online someone brought theirs to a locksmith and it worked great.
The guy at the shop agreed it could work and called one in, but he said theres nothing he could do. maybe should get another opinion.

Do you know if this happens a lot?
and you think theres any chance my other key would work?

 

so the locksmith would work on the barrel?
what do you mean he reprogrammed yours?

 

had to reprogram the key FOB also with a new "electronic key"

 

Good thing i dont have an electronic key then!
I have the base model so no electric locks or anything...

 

What if you pulled a barrel from a junkyard and had a new key made?

 

id have to reprogram the truck because the new key wouldnt be recognized... i could just tape the key around the barrel, but don't really trust that

 

Your post is going off track I think. You have two things going on:

The key cylinder will not turn. This is a mechanical issue with the key cylinder and has nothing to do with the chip in the key.

The chip in the key is just an RFID to the receiver that is connected to the ECU which determines if the key that is in close proximity to the reader is authorized or Not. It will not stop the key switch from turning. It only prevents it from starting.

You have ( from what you stated ) a mechanical problem with the key cylinder binding. Any Good locksmith should be able to correct this issue. Or worst case the dealership should be able to replace the lock cylinder without disturbing the chipped ignition system at all.

 

Unless your keys are worn very hard your lock cylinder can be rebuilt to work with your key.

2nd option is new lock cylinder re keyed to your key

like I said unless your keys are worn very hard

Last I looked a chipped key cloned by a lock smith was a little over $100.00 at my local lock smith with the new blank

Some Lock smiths just don`t like working on vehicles.

 

When you say barrel do you mean the ignition lock cylinder?

My mom's 2004 Rav4 had the same issue you're mentioning a few years ago..inserts key but won't turn. I had her tap the end of her key a few times to bandaid the problem but I eventually ordered a new ignition lock cylinder from an auto shop once that trick stopped working and took the unit and her key to a locksmith to rekey.

Last Wednesday I ran into the same issue..thought someone tried stealing my truck by jamming a screwdriver or an object in the ignition but everything in my truck looked fine. Did the good ol tap again and it worked. 10 year old truck..can't find my grey spare..my key isnt able to unlock my doors anymore either so ive been using the remote keyless entry..I will be in the same boat as you soon where the key won't turn

Good luck OP..hope the spare works.

 

This happens on both my Toyota,s every once in a while and more often when the vehicle is shut off with the tires turned all the way out or full lock . Parking on a hill without using the emergency brake also causes a similar issue and make it difficult to turn the key . Both my vehicles are automatic .
Only way I have found to get the key to turn is by forcing the steering wheel from side to side .I know its not the fix , but it works. Some times a simple linkage adjustment from the transmission to the shifter fixes this . The ignition cylinder has to see that the vehicle is in park or neutral before you can turn the key.
With that said , proper diagnosis of the components involved all need to be looked at before making an expensive parts purchase .
As an alternative , you could always go with the push start mod leaving your keys in your pocket when you are driving .The ignition cylinder can be removed with the mod .
here is a write up https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/push-button-start-install.245614/

 

This thread might help in reinforcing this excellent point.

 

There seem to be two solutions to this problem:

I had a dealer cut a key for my SportTrac using my VIN# back when I got it new in 2003. I used an online parts sales outfit and the key worked without issues (this was the type that needed 2 keys to program a new key for the Resistor/RFID part). See if you can get a key - unprogrammed this way to correct the mechanical issue.

A side note - do you have a heavy key ring? This kills the mechanical components of the lock.

I had a key cut the other day at Home Depot for my 2015 for $3 that I use for the doors only. It even turns the ignition but as expected - there is nothing else. The guy cutting the keys said if I wanted a programmed key, they have the system to do that and it is around $60 for a programmed key. I might get a backup for safe keeping.

 

Has nothing to do with his key not working but instead the key cylinder. In this day and age even the most basic vehicles have electronic locks and windows as the technology is proven and reliable.

 

any locksmith worth his cert can refresh the cylinder

make it easy, disassemble and bring it to a locksmith

 

Hey Dave##,
You can remove the cylinder and drive around by starting and stopping with a slotted screw driver, I did this with my 07 Tacoma, until you can get to a locksmith. Just bring your key with you for the RFID. No dealer required. Google how to remove and you should be all set..
Tankman.