Couple of questions from someone new to Tacomas

Just a couple of odd things I've noticed about my 2004 Tacoma, 2WD with a 2.4L engine. I purchased it about two weeks ago, but there was no owners manual included.

1. The ignition switch will not work to start the truck unless the clutch pedal is engaged all the way. Is this normal behavior for this model? This is way past the spot where I push the clutch pedal when shifting gears.

2. Door locks. They are manual door locks, but using the keys with them is a bit strange. The drivers side door will unlock from the outside with the key, but will not lock from the outside. The passenger door is just the opposite. You can lock the door from the outside, but you cannot unlock the passenger side door with the key.

I've never owned a vehicle where the key would not work to both unlock or lock the door from the outside. Surely this is not normal?

 

1 - yes this is normal, there is a switch on the clutch pedal so it doesn't start in gear, not sure if it can be adjusted but you will get used to it soon enough.

2 - you need to describe this some more. is the key not turning? or is it turning just fine but just not making the door lock function?

 

The key only turns to the right. On the driver's side, this unlocks the door. On the passenger side, this locks the door.

So, it is impossible to lock the driver's side from outside the truck using just the key, and it is not possible to unlock the passenger side door using the key.

 

ok its fairly common for the keys to get worn or with copies of copies of copies the key may not be sized right and isn't engaging the lock properly. every time they regrind a key from a copy, it can be a hair off if not aligned just right and after a few copies you can have ridges almost 1/16" off in the wrong spots so they don't engage the keyways to release them. it may have "just" worked when new but after the key was used a few times and the edges rounded it no longer fits right.

when I bought my truck on key opened the door and gas door and I had to use another one for the airbag and ignition.

if you still have the original ignition switch in your truck then go to the dealer with the registration and your drivers license and they will cut you a brand new key from the master code for your trucks vin number, mine only cost me $25 but it took about 1/2 hour waiting on the service dept to do it..

then it worked for everything and I tossed out the other keys (after breaking them in half) and went get a new spare key made from the newly cut key.

another tip is don't get walmart keys, they rarely work and if they do they don't work right or for very long, not sure if its the brand of keys they use or the machines but go to ace hardware to get your Toyota key made. every one ace did for me worked fine but I went through 6 walmart keys and none of them worked for all the locks but a few of the walmart keys just worked for the doors.

the doors don't use all the tumblers like the ignition does so often they can still work with messed up worn out keys