4Runner starts/drives with my 2010 Tundra key

[caspian45]

Ummmm....anyone ever put the wrong key in their 4Runner? Tonight I put my valet key from my 2010 Tundra Crewmax in my 2016 4Runner Trail, started it and drove off with no problems.

Anyone else tried their other Toyota keys? I didn't try the door to see if it would unlock also. I keep it in my garage and park in a safe place 99% of the time, but am still not thrilled.

 

[BobsTrail]

That's a terrible photo, wear long pants or have a woman there instead.

 

[jimmynotjim]

The keys are chipped so it's probably only working because you have the correctly chipped key right next to the Tundra key. Still odd the cut matches, wonder what the odds are off that. If you want to really test this leave your 4R key in the house and then try the Tundra key.

 

[PaulB-2006 T4R]

This goes backwards to the days of non chipped keys when GM cars had a door and ignition keys. I thoughts those days were over, have you asked Toyota about it?

 

[Grape Ape]

Most manufacturers only have a few thousand combinations/cuts of keys. So yes, it's 1 in 3500, but it's still possible.

 

[TexasTJ]

Just tried my 2004 Tacoma, each key fit in the other vehicle's door and ignition, but neither would turn. The 4R would beep with the key in the ignition, acknowledging that there was a key present.

 

[MeefZah]

Not specific to your question, but related: we see a ton of 80s-90s Hondas and Toyotas stolen around here with shaved keys. Basically, the ignition locks get worn after years of use and a key that sorta kinda fits can be used to start them. With no security chip, once the steering lock clears, the car is good as stolen.

In your case the chipped key had to be in close proximity to trick the sensor. Is that it hanging on your key ring? Otherwise the Tundra key would have turned but no start.

 

[lowcel]

That's a terrible photo, wear long pants or have a woman there instead.

How do you know that isn't a woman?

 

[MidnightOffRoad]

Most manufacturers only have a few thousand combinations/cuts of keys. So yes, it's 1 in 3500, but it's still possible.

Way less than that. A friend of mine once lost his keys in the ocean (literally) and he had to call a locksmith. As we talked with the locksmith he says "let me check and make sure I don't already have a key that will work." I said, what are the chances of that? He says most manufacturers only have 3 maybe 4 distinct key sections that vary. He said that in the old days, you could walk onto a dealer lot and the same key would unlock/start several cars in the lot. (of course this is before passive antitheft systems and electronic chip security).

 

[Ray Dunakin]

About 35 years ago I had an old Datsun station wagon that could be unlocked and started with almost any two-sided key. Not surprisingly, it was stolen three times during the short time I owned it.

 

[Ghostrider]

My old MGA was not designed to resist theft. The key was only used to turn on voltage and then you had a pull switch to engage starter. It took ten seconds and a short length of wire to jumper the key switch so most owners wired a second security switch somewhere in the circuit