Door won’t unlock with key

This is on our RAV4, but I don’t know where else to go.

The fob and armrest both lock and unlock the doors as they should. The key turns fully both ways in the drivers door, but will not lock or unlock it.

We have 2 sets of keys, and neither one unlocks the door manually. They are not valet keys. Anyone have some insight? I’m stumped.

 

So the power door locks work….just can’t lock or unlock with the key?

 

Maybe something is seized in the tumbler mechanism? Sounds like the physical act of turning the key isn’t engaging the lock/unlock mechanism.

 

If it’s like my Tacoma, the key turns and you can hear the actuator switch the lock.

On the RAV4, the key moves freely but you don’t hear anything from the actuator.

 

Which indicates the actuator is bad?

 

Take the door panel off and inspect the cylinder from inside..

 

Correct, they work with both fobs and the armrest controls.

 

The actuator should be fine if it works with the fobs and armrest.

 

True. But the key is not engaging the actuator. Sounds like you need to gain access to the lock mechanism and see what’s happening when you turn that key.

 

I’m gonna tear into it this weekend. I’m not sure how that signal gets sent from the cylinder to the actuator though.

 

Maybe @Bishop84 has some insight

 

What year is it?

 

Usually like this, a rod goes to the actuator

 

2014, it’s a plain style key with the fob on the key itself

 

I was thinking it would be an electric signal. Yeah I’m probably not going to know much more until I can get the panel off.

 

Had any body work done on the drivers door?
Look @ 10:23.. Honda uses that same style and I’ve seen quite a few where the paddle on the back of the door cylinder wasn’t in the hole of the actuator..
https://youtu.be/WQ0teOUxXYo

 

Likely just worn mechanism, need to remove and inspect

 

Ok, so I have the panel off, and the star shaped piece on the end of the cylinder rod is out and above where is is supposed to be. Hopefully I can pull the cylinder out and re-insert it.

 

Hurry...

 

That’s all it was, the cylinder rod came out of its place. Not sure how it did that because it shouldn’t have been able to move that far back. It was up and over where it was supposed to be. It’s working now, and I know the wife won’t be locked out in the cold. Thanks y’all for the help.