keyless entry nightmare

I recently bought a used 2010 Tacoma base model which does not have keyless entry stock. The previous owner installed a viper keyless entry modification that worked for a couple weeks then quit on me and, when they installed the kit the keyhole on the side of the driver door stopped working. I now have to leave my truck unlocked 24/7 and dont know what to do. Any help or advice would be much appreciated thanks!

 

I hate to sound rhetorical. But I'd have a look in the door and see if they left something unhooked. Id think there's an physical connection from the key cylinder to door look on the latch. But just my thought.

 

Will the key lock not turn?
Or will it turn but not unlock?

I’d start by removing the alarm system. That is if you feel comfortable doing that?

 

I also bought mine with a Viper installed, and my door keys work fine.

I'd try to find the control box to figure out which model you have, dig up a manual online, and try to figure out where the previous owner screwed up the install.

 

Am I reading this right; they replaced your key lock on the door with a viper something or other...?

That's crazy imo not having an actual key if needed.

In any event; you need to take the door apart, and work your way back to the controller.

The solenoid for the lock should only have 2 wires on it. Reversing +/- locks and unlocks the door. If the outside of the solenoid looks burned and bubbled, don't do the battery test mentioned below. The solenoid is burned out and needs to be replaced.

Check each and every connection, splice, back to the controller. Any splice inside the door needs to be protected, weather proofed, or you'll be going back in to fix it. Guaranteed. A butt splice, with, at a minimum, dielectric grease squeezed into it before the wires are pushed in and crimped. For a 100% I am never going to have to worry about this again, shrink tubing with adhesive inside.

If you find a bad splice, replace the entire wire back to the controller. Corrosion has more than likely traveled up the wire under the insulation. The more splices you have, the more headaches you can potentially look forward to. Overkill, perhaps. But I do not subscribe to the, " do it twice, do it nice," mentality.

A 9v battery should be enough to test the solenoid directly. Even if it does not complete a full stroke to lock or unlock, you should see it move at least.

A word of warning: if you leave the battery connected to the solenoid, the coil will get hot and eventually burn out. Hold one wire onto the battery terminal and flash the other wire across the other terminal.

 

On a previous vehicle, the solenoid still worked but the mechanical connection from the solenoid to the locking rod in the door had loosened. I just applied some thread lock and tightened it up.

 

There is a rod that goes from the door lock cylinder to the door latch inside the door. That rod has been disconnected and needs to be reconnected for the door to lock or unlock with the key.

On the inside of the door a door lock actuator was added to make the truck have keyless entry. The actuator also has a rod and that may have disconnected as well. There's too many variables with not enough information on what's occurring.

Viper is an outstanding product. The company that makes Viper also bought out almost every other car alarm company.

 

I would start by replacing the battery on the key fob.

 

If the PO had the install done, how do you know that's when the keyhole stopped working?

1) don't leave anything in the truck you don't want to lose.

2) disassemble the interior door panel and figure out what's wrong with the setup. If beyond your skills to attempt, take it to a shop that does such installs and let them fix it.

Keep in mind that in the order of the world and the rest of your life, this is peanuts.

 

Include a/d/s in that list as well. Pissmeoff...

 

What?

 

You said most of the alarms are made by one company. That company also gobbled up a/d/s. A company that made some verrrrrrry nice audio equipment back in the day

 

Yep you're correct.

A friend of mine from back in that day (John Durbin) was hired by DEI to start and head their audio department and John was a big part of the team that decided to purchase ADS. DEI flew him to China several times during the initial design and production of DEI's first audio line.

 

They were right next door to me! So to speak. Next town actually. Made a couple trips there to get replacement drivers.

It is sad that the brand is gone. They made some very nice equipment for both car and home.