2nd gen key won't unlock door, only turns over ignition

I picked up an '09 PreRunner recently and the dealership only had one key and fob. The key won't unlock my doors though...it only turns over the ignition. Am I going to have to bring it to a dealership or something and get a door key cut? Never had a vehicle that had a key that only turned the ignition and didn't unlock any doors.

 

Maybe the ignition was reolaced?

 

IMHO the dealer owes you a pair of working keys.

A 2nd FOB will be on you though. Unless they are really nice.

 

Try lubing the lock(s) first. Locksmiths recommend Triflow. Some people recommend dry graphite.


If that doesn't help, it could be a worn out key or it could be something has been rekeyed. If it's not a worn out key, it's easy to take the door lock or locks out. I don't remember if a 2009 has 1 or 2. Take the lock(s) to a locksmith and say here, fix this. The door locks are REALLY easy to remove. Roll down a window. In the edge of the door, there's a plastic plug. Pop that out. In the hole is a Torx bolt. Loosen it about 5 turns. There's plastic tabs so the bolt won't fall inside the door. Then just pull out the lock. After you remove the lock, the door handle pops out really easy. That's why you roll down the window.

 

Ok good deal. I'll try these things this weekend and see what I can come up with.

 

My used 2007 is the same way. I just assumed that the ignition switch had been replaced at some point.

 

I would definitely try working the key a bit in the door lock before giving up. Possible the previous owner never used it and only opened the doors via the remote.

I've run into this on more than one Toyota including my daughter's '10 Yaris and BIL's '04 Camry...both purchased used. I had to lube up and work the door lock key from time to time on my FIL's '04 Sienna as well.

Use silicone spray...not WD-40.

Every couple of weeks I actually use the key to unlock the door on my Tacoma just to keep things loosened up

 

I can definitely give it a try. It feels like I would break the key in the lock though if I forced it too hard, or at least that it wouls bend. I'll see if I can find that Triflow somewhere and if it helps.

 

Is the battery dead in the key fob?

 

No, the battery is good and the fob works, it's just the key itself that doesn't seem to work in the door locks.

 

Definitely sounds like someone replaced the ignition or door lock cylinder... question is which one... if you care.

If you just want a door key that'll open the door (and can be cut from a plain, non-chipped blank) you can try taking your registration to a dealer and having them look up the original key code. I dunno if they'd be able to eyeball your key and tell you if the one you have is the original or not, or if they'd have to cut a key & compare them.

If it turns out the ignition got replaced and the door is still original, easy peasy, cut a cheap key blank, if you're cool with having 2 keys. If it's the other way around or you want your current key to work both, a locksmith should be able to re-tumbler the door cylinder to that key.

 

My key will open the drivers door but won't open the passenger side. Lol. It's worn down so much that I can pull it out of the ignition with it running. How worn down is the key?

 

i think what you have is the "valet" key. My 05 camry came with 3 keys, 2 fobs. 2 keys and fob worked everything, the Valet key only worked the ignition, not the doors, glove box or trunk......so you can lock storage but still have a drivable vehicle while the contents in storage remain secure.......

 

Easy to identify as the head of the valet key has gray plastic molded on vs the black for the normal keys.

{EDIT}- Just tested, and all three keys unlock the truck from both driver and passenger doors.

 

I was just about to say the same thing, you may have given the Valet key instead of a Master key. That's the only way to tell from what you're experiencing with doors not working and only your ignition. Toyota will need to give you two Master keys by pulling up your VIN #.

Same issue i had with my 07 4Runner. This whole time i thought i was using the Master key until my remote stopped working while i was at work. Tried unlocking the door with the key and it didn't turn. Called my wife to bring over the spares and they worked. Long story short, i had replaced the battery on the dead remote and it's works fine after programming it in by doing some retarded sequence of steps you need to follow. Lol!!

 

Well....The valet key should unlock doors and start the car. It will not open a "trunk" or locked glovebox.

 

Thanks everyone! It does indeed look like I have a valet key, as mine is grey in color as listed above. If I can call Toyota and give them the VIN to get some master keys, I think I'll try that. Barring that, I guess I'll do the above listed and try to take the locks to a smith and see if they can re-key them to the one I have. Thanks for the help!

 

I would not pay a smith to fix it. I would nicely ask the dealer to fix the issue. If the dealer dont make it right, contact Toyota, and tell them what happened. I'd think it would be a safety issue if you can't get in your car when trying to get away from a Mississippi Squatch.

 

Never know what you're gonna find down here in Mississippi, especially on the coast. Might get a 'Sqautch, might get a death cloud of flesh eating bacteria from the nasty beaches...

 

i wouldn’t be happy with the dealership you bought it from. but you’ve already agreed to eat it since i’m guessing you’ve already paid and left. too bad.