Can't Insert key! Please help! [Solved]

[P_nlsn]

While working on an LED color swap, I've noticed I cannot insert my key into the ignition, the lock button on the fob does nothing (however the unlock button works), and the doors automatically unlock themselves when I try to lock them. It is the master key. I've tried the "wiggle the steering wheel" trick, I tried using the fob to unlock/lock the doors before attempting to insert the key, I tried using the physical key to unlock/lock the doors from the driver door before trying to put the key in, and I tried disconnecting the batter for a few minutes (1-2 minutes the first time, about 30 minutes the second), then reconnecting it before attempting to insert the key. Nothing has worked, and I can't seem to find any documentation on this problem for a 4runner. To me, this sounds like it has to due with the anti-theft or immobilization system, but I know very little about these systems, how they operate, or how to reset them. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

By the way it's a 2003 Sport Edition
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[Edit]

Don't be quick to jump to conclusions like me!

Solution/Explanation:

So, apparently there is a little plastic clip (I believe it's referred to as the "un-lock warning switch" in the service manual) underneath/inside the ignition key cylinder. As far as I can tell, this plastic piece just gets pushed in by the key and completes a circuit that tells the buzzer to ding when the driver side door is opened while the key is in it. In my case, this clip had broken off and wedged itself inside the ignition cylinder. It happened to jam itself under a guard/dust shield inside the ignition, thus preventing me from inserting the key. The doors wouldn't lock because the piece had jammed itself in there in such a way that the circuit stayed completed and the computer thought the keys were still in it (I think). So, to prevent you from locking the keys in the car, it kept unlocking itself. All I had to do was remove this clip, and now everything works. It just doesn't ding when I leave the keys in the ignition now (Not that important anyway IMO), and hopefully that's the only thing that doesn't work now

 

[importman]

While working on an LED color swap, I've noticed I cannot insert my key into the ignition, the lock button on the fob does nothing (however the unlock button works), and the doors automatically unlock themselves when I try to lock them. It is the master key. I've tried the "wiggle the steering wheel" trick, I tried using the fob to unlock/lock the doors before attempting to insert the key, I tried using the physical key to unlock/lock the doors from the driver door before trying to put the key in, and I tried disconnecting the batter for a few minutes (1-2 minutes the first time, about 30 minutes the second), then reconnecting it before attempting to insert the key. Nothing has worked, and I can't seem to find any documentation on this problem for a 4runner. To me, this sounds like it has to due with the anti-theft or immobilization system, but I know very little about these systems, how they operate, or how to reset them. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

By the way it's a 2003 Sport Edition

Is it possible the key got removed without the ignition switch being in the lock position? I believe you have a mechanical problem more so than an electronic problem. I don't know of any immobilizer function that would prevent you from inserting the key into the switch. Hopefully someone will chime in with more help but in my opinion you're gonna need to call a locksmith. Good luck. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[eleven14]

Is it possible the key got removed without the ignition switch being in the lock position? I believe you have a mechanical problem more so than an electronic problem. I don't know of any immobilizer function that would prevent you from inserting the key into the switch. Hopefully someone will chime in with more help but in my opinion you're gonna need to call a locksmith. Good luck. Let us know how it turns out.

Agreed. The auto-unlock symptom is the most telling, mine only does that (I *think*) when the engine is running, a door is open and someone tries to lock the vehicle.

 

[P_nlsn]

Is it possible the key got removed without the ignition switch being in the lock position?

I mean, with my luck, anything is possible. But as far as I can tell, the key hole appears to be aligned with "lock", so I don't think the key was removed while in the "on" position. Good idea though, I wish that was it.

I believe you have a mechanical problem more so than an electronic problem. I don't know of any immobilizer function that would prevent you from inserting the key into the switch. Hopefully someone will chime in with more help but in my opinion you're gonna need to call a locksmith. Good luck. Let us know how it turns out.

Alright, thanks for the help! I didn't know if preventing the entry of a key was part of any of the security systems, but it sounded like it. I'll try looking more into mechanical problems like this instead of security/electrical ones.

Agreed. The auto-unlock symptom is the most telling, mine only does that (I *think*) when the engine is running, a door is open and someone tries to lock the vehicle.

Interesting. I thought it was cause I had a door open the first time, but even after closing all the doors, it still would just unlock itself right after I tried to lock it

 

[P_nlsn]

I fixed it

Hey guys! I want to thank y'all for your input. I got it all fixed, and I'll post an explanation once I finish looking through the service manual and stuff to make sure I understand it right

 

[P_nlsn]

What the real problem was/How I fixed it

Hey guys! I want to thank y'all for your input. I got it all fixed, and I'll post an explanation once I finish looking through the service manual and stuff to make sure I understand it right

So, apparently there is a little plastic clip (I believe it's referred to as the "un-lock warning switch" in the service manual) underneath/inside the ignition key cylinder. As far as I can tell, this plastic piece just gets pushed in by the key and completes a circuit that tells the buzzer to ding when the driver side door is opened while the key is in it. In my case, this clip had broken off and wedged itself inside the ignition cylinder. It happened to jam itself under a guard/dust shield inside the ignition, thus preventing me from inserting the key. The doors wouldn't lock because the piece had jammed itself in there in such a way that the circuit stayed completed and the computer thought the keys were still in it (I think). So, to prevent you from locking the keys in the car, it kept unlocking itself. All I had to do was remove this clip, and now everything works. It just doesn't ding when I leave the keys in the ignition now (Not that important anyway IMO), and hopefully that's the only thing that doesn't work now

 

[importman]

So, apparently there is a little plastic clip (I believe it's referred to as the "un-lock warning switch" in the service manual) underneath/inside the ignition key cylinder. As far as I can tell, this plastic piece just gets pushed in by the key and completes a circuit that tells the buzzer to ding when the driver side door is opened while the key is in it. In my case, this clip had broken off and wedged itself inside the ignition cylinder. It happened to jam itself under a guard/dust shield inside the ignition, thus preventing me from inserting the key. The doors wouldn't lock because the piece had jammed itself in there in such a way that the circuit stayed completed and the computer thought the keys were still in it (I think). So, to prevent you from locking the keys in the car, it kept unlocking itself. All I had to do was remove this clip, and now everything works. It just doesn't ding when I leave the keys in the ignition now (Not that important anyway IMO), and hopefully that's the only thing that doesn't work now

I figured it would be something weird. Glad you got it straight.

 

[cooper30]

Thanks for following up with the solution.

This is definitely one of those things I'm going to file away in my memory in case it happens to me.

 

[P_nlsn]

Thanks for following up with the solution.

This is definitely one of those things I'm going to file away in my memory in case it happens to me.

Yeah, no problem!

Good! I was freaking out at first cause I didn't know what was wrong or how to fix it, so I hope this post helps other people and prevents that for them