Briefly Locked Out at the Mountain

Yesterday afternoon, after a day of skiing at Mt. Bachelor, my key initially wouldn't unlock the doors. I clicked unlock, and got no response. Tried lock, panic buttons... nothing. Putting the key itself into the door lock and turning wouldn't even unlock the door. I was a little nervous, given that it was late, getting, dark and 30 min to the nearest town (Bend, Oregon).

I went ahead and started getting my gear into the bed, wondering who I should call to help me get into my truck when there were a few delayed beeps and the doors unlocked.

It was pretty cold yesterday (high 20s, F) but nothing out of the ordinary for winter skiing. Never had anything like this happen before. Has anybody encountered anything like this?

My truck is a manual transmission, so I don't have the smart fob. Just a simple key with buttons, if that makes sense.

 

Makes me wonder if the door locks are electric

 

I had to run out to the truck to verify, but even with the manual key it requires power to unlock the doors. There's no mechanical connection from the tumbler to the actual lock.

 

Thank you Jesse and Midnight-Beauty. Sounds like a battery issue with truck itself then, not the fob?

Once I did get into the vehicle it started up without a problem. I'd like to think it's just a fluke, but going into ski season where I'll be coming down from the slopes cold and wet a lot, I don't want to get stranded.

 

even the driver's door? How do you open the hood if the battery dies and the doors are locked?

 

Like this…

 

If you truck battery checks out okay, you might try unhooking the Negative battery cable for one minute to see that clears up the gremlins.

 

So you have just a straight metal key with no transponder and you open up the door with the key?

 

@dfanonymous It is a metal key, with the fob attached, if that makes sense. I don't have a push button start because it's a manual.

I tried turning the key yesterday, and it wouldn't work to unlock the door. I googled how to get into a Tacoma with a dead battery, and the instructions I found (for push button starts) was to pull out the hidden metal key from the fob and turn the lock to open.

Once I got in, the car started right up, so it seems odd that this would have been my battery. Almost wonder if the lock itself got frozen. I have had to use Wd40 to open my tailgate before, but that's when it got down to 16 degrees or so.

 

I believe the OP has a key like this. My wife’s Corolla also has a key like this and it feels like electronic tumblers when I insert the key in the door key hole.

 

If it’s the key that’s pictured, you have a battery in there. It works with a transponder. If the ignition doesn’t get the transponder signal, it doesn’t turn on.

Chances are the cold froze the battery. It’s probably already half dead due to age and the cold killed it temporarily. Happens to me everytime I do winter backpacking or late season hunting, as my key sits in the top lid of the pack in 0-30 degree temps.

 

@TA2016 Yes, this is essentially what my key looks like. Odd that I'd be SOL getting into the vehicle if that battery died. I wonder if I turned it the wrong way.

 

You might try something like this which prevents freezing and is specifically made for locks.

$11 AGS Automotive Solutions Lock-Ease Graphite Lock Lubricant – 3oz Aerosol, Prevents Freezing, Reduces Friction, No Residue, Protects Against Wear & Rust

https://www.amazon.com/AGS-LE5-Lock-Ease/dp/B000CIJUGA

You also, might try changing the battery in the key too.

 

Would be weird if you turned the key the wrong way.

You can test my theory by taking the battery out of the key and go try to start it.

 

Well thank you everyone for the responses. I'm beginning to think this may have been user error. I just went out to the truck and tried to retrace my steps. I may have turned the key counter clockwise and just re-armed the system. I thought I turned clockwise too (which unlocks the door. now), but honestly don't remember.

I do remember that the lock/armed light on the dash was flashing, so don't believe my car battery was the issue. I do wonder if the key fob got some moisture or something in it, or if the cold affected it. I may plan on putting my keys into a ziplock back, before putting into my pocket when skiing.

 

@dfanonymous I agree with your theory about the cold battery. I'll figure out a way to insulate it better when out in the elements.
@TA2016 thanks for the lock ease tip. I think the lock may have frozen as well.

 

If you have the cargo bin in the truck bed put the lock-ease (or graphite powder, which is supposed to help locks) in there.

 

Are you sure it was your truck?

Years ago at the grocery store I unlocked the door and got into my car (I think this was my old Jetta). But the key wouldn’t turn in the ignition. WTF! Then I noticed stuff on the passenger seat that wasn’t mine. And then holy crap, the whole car wasn’t mine!

I was amazed. Apparently the odds against having the same color scheme and the same door cylinders weren’t as high as one might think.

 

I walked out of a Chick-Fil-A once and opened to door to my Tacoma. It did not look right on the inside, and I suddenly recalled the trailer-hitch-ball I never installed. Seems an almost identical Tacoma was parked right beside mine and the owner did not lock the doors. I locked the doors on that truck as a courtesy and got into my truck and drove away.

 

How about a lanyard wallet when you are skiing? Says it is water resistant and wearing it around your neck, body heat should keep the battery warm.

$8 TATAANTY RFID Blocking Wallet, Minimalist Wallet for Men, Small Wallet for Women with Lanyard Keychain, ID Holder Zipper for Cards, Coins, Travel, Water-resistant, Black

https://www.amazon.com/TATAANTY-Blo...ocphy=9032883&hvtargid=pla-2294903924811&th=1