2005 4 runner "key" frustration

[problem child]

long story short...

just bought a 2005 4 runner with only one key and electronic door opener from a used car lot...

any advice on buying another set of keys and opener or do I just suck it up and buy a overpriced set from the local toyota dealer? saw a few online for a fraction of the dealers price...

one other question, the key that came with the vehicle wont manually open the doors. The key goes in but wont turn at all:wtf:, so I'm limited to using the electronic opener. Worried if something happened to the opener,dropping it in water or just breaking it and I wouldnt be able to unlock the truck without calling a locksmith.

By the way, new guy here and will probably have a few more questions as the vehicle didnt have a operating manual as well, the guy at the lot says hes getting me one, but who knows...

thanks

 

[S p a r k y]

long story short...

just bought a 2005 4 runner with only one key and electronic door opener from a used car lot...

any advice on buying another set of keys and opener or do I just suck it up and buy a overpriced set from the local toyota dealer? saw a few online for a fraction of the dealers price...

one other question, the key that came with the vehicle wont manually open the doors. The key goes in but wont turn at all:wtf:, so I'm limited to using the electronic opener. Worried if something happened to the opener,dropping it in water or just breaking it and I wouldnt be able to unlock the truck without calling a locksmith.

By the way, new guy here and will probably have a few more questions as the vehicle didnt have a operating manual as well, the guy at the lot says hes getting me one, but who knows...

thanks

Hope this thread helps http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/99215-how-make-spare-chipped-keys.html

 

[Martinjmpr]

Well, one piece of advice I can give is DON'T spend $30 on the key/remote all-in-one from Extra Partssss on Ebay. Those things are crap.

As for the key not fitting in the door lock - dumb question but have you tried it in all 3? There should be one on each side of the truck and also on the tailgate. If it fits in the ignition it should fit in the doors unless the door lock was replaced at some time in the past.

One thing I have heard is that while the ignition key slot will wear, the one in the door usually doesn't because most of us open the doors with the remote. If the original key was badly worn, and then someone took that worn key to the hardware store to have a new key cut, the newly cut key (based on the worn original) might fit in the equally worn ignition but not in the "clean" door. Not sure if there's a fix for this but you could get a blank key and have it cut based on the key code, not based on the old key.

 

[HokieRunner]

You should be able to get a local locksmith to program your keys and fob no problem if you can't get the ignition procedure to program the key properly. If you search you should be able to find the thread on copying chipped keys.

Also, if the dealer doesn't provide you with the manual I highly recommend you pick one up off ebay or somewhere. Handy to have in the truck so you know how and what features work.

 

[NoDak]

long story short...

just bought a 2005 4 runner with only one key and electronic door opener from a used car lot...

any advice on buying another set of keys and opener or do I just suck it up and buy a overpriced set from the local toyota dealer? saw a few online for a fraction of the dealers price...

one other question, the key that came with the vehicle wont manually open the doors. The key goes in but wont turn at all:wtf:, so I'm limited to using the electronic opener. Worried if something happened to the opener,dropping it in water or just breaking it and I wouldnt be able to unlock the truck without calling a locksmith.

By the way, new guy here and will probably have a few more questions as the vehicle didnt have a operating manual as well, the guy at the lot says hes getting me one, but who knows...

thanks

if the physical key wont unlock the doors, then its probably not the original key for the vehicle I am thinking, or the ridges have worn down and rounded to the point it wont engage the tumblers correctly.

you would need the key plate to get replacement physical keys then. if you don't have the key plate, then it gets spendy since you would have to go thru the dealer as your only option I think.

 

[MONTYMTB]

Have you tried shooting some lube into the door locks? Not saying it would work, but you never know and it won't cost you anything to try. I don't know that I've ever used the key to open my 3rd gen, and I bet the locks are dry as can be.

 

[problem child]

thanks everyone who replied...

fixed the key issue with a little squirt of wd-40 in the slots. Let it sit a bit and both work now :bravo::bravo:

I still need another transponder and key for the wife, probably just get it from the local toyota dealer.

thanks again, much appreciated