Dead Battery - how to open the hood

[jhguth]

Why would the "Limited" not have a rear door that can be unlocked with a key?

No models have a rear door that can be unlocked without power

 

[Lester Lugnut]

Might be his has the optional “Smart Key”, or proximity key so you don’t have to use the fob to enter the locked vehicle as long as the fob is in your pocket. The driver door handle senses the fob and your hand near the handle.

Nope...my bad.

The 4R is my wifes. I've been under the hood many times for maint, but never bothered to notice the rear door has no key slot.

Bad idea Toyota, along with the missing transmission fluid dipstick.

 

[DAW89446]

Bad idea Toyota, along with the missing transmission fluid dipstick.

My 2006 Honda CR-V I traded in on my Outback had no dipstick either. I guess it’s a trend. I don’t mind. I hated checking auto transmission levels. Mile long, bendy dipsticks and inconsistant readings on most of my cars ...

 

[flyrv9]

I seem to remember, that a few years back, there was a thread dealing with a broken hood release cable. Owner was in the same boat being unable to open hood. The fix was a tool made to trip the hood latch from the front. I bet the dealers have one.

 

[MossJenks]

Why would the "Limited" not have a rear door that can be unlocked with a key?

What rock have you been living under? How did you miss the fact that not having a key is the greatest upgrade in the history of the automobile?!?! It's so awesome.....you don't have to...or maybe it's that you do get to.....well, I don't really know but they tell me it's the greatest.

 

[Lester Lugnut]

What rock have you been living under? How did you miss the fact that not having a key is the greatest upgrade in the history of the automobile?!?! It's so awesome.....you don't have to...or maybe it's that you do get to.....well, I don't really know but they tell me it's the greatest.

Was pretty sure I had noticed a key slot in the tailgate of my wife's 2014 SR5.
As it turns out, I did. Check out the photo.
Perhaps later models did not include them, but this is a 5th Gen forum and the 2014 is part of that Gen.
Happy Trails.

 

[williamlv282]

Was pretty sure I had noticed a key slot in the tailgate of my wife's 2014 SR5.
As it turns out, I did. Check out the photo.
Perhaps later models did not include them, but this is a 5th Gen forum and the 2014 is part of that Gen.
Happy Trails.

Limiteds don't have that. They get electronic butons to lower the windows.

 

[Lester Lugnut]

Limiteds don't have that. They get electronic butons to lower the windows.

Sad.

I would say Toyota named that version of 4R appropriately...Limited.

 

[thennen]

Was pretty sure I had noticed a key slot in the tailgate of my wife's 2014 SR5.
As it turns out, I did. Check out the photo.
Perhaps later models did not include them, but this is a 5th Gen forum and the 2014 is part of that Gen.
Happy Trails.

I don’t think that key slot allows you to unlock the tailgate. I think it’s just for operating the window. Even if I’m wrong, you still need battery power if there’s no mechanical link to the tailgate latch.

 

[Lester Lugnut]

I don’t think that key slot allows you to unlock the tailgate. I think it’s just for operating the window. Even if I’m wrong, you still need battery power if there’s no mechanical link to the tailgate latch.

That may be the case with the Limited.

Mine is an SR5 - key unlocks tailgate.

 

[williamlv282]

That may be the case with the Limited.

Mine is an SR5 - key unlocks tailgate.

The latch for the tailgate is still electronic. Turning the key in the tailgate is the same as pressing the unlock button on the driver's door. An added bonus is that it lowers/raises your back window. If your battery is dead you will still have a locked tailgate.

 

[Lester Lugnut]

Not doubting you, but I'll look into this some more.

 

[scanny]

My guess is that driver door lock is not broken but rusted inside and cannot be turned with a key. I have similar issue with my tailgate lock when I was unable to turn key in it. I fixed it but spraying BreakFree CLP inside keyhole and let it sit for a day. Next day my key was freely turning in the lock and locked/unlocked truck just fine.

 

[jrandom]

Not doubting you, but I'll look into this some more.

I can confirm the tailgate lock is electronically actuated. It won't work sans power.

Driver side key is the only way in, apart from locksmithing or breaking a window with a dead battery.

 

[Blu42]

I have been pondering putting in a jumper cable quick connect line. This might be something worthwhile for limited users. Have it mounted near the bumper or wheel well and just hook it up when needed. I don't kill my battery but jump a lot of other drivers. Looking to save myself the hassle of popping hood and hooking/unhooking cables.

I cant imagine Toyota never factored on people killing their battery in the limited. One door lock is all you get?

I've broken a key lock before and then my fob died but it was cool because door locks were broken and car didn't lock. I am curious to know what the best solution to this situation would be. Releasing the hood from the under the car might be doable but I've never really looked where the release cable is routed.

 

[jhguth]

I have been pondering putting in a jumper cable quick connect line. This might be something worthwhile for limited users. Have it mounted near the bumper or wheel well and just hook it up when needed. I don't kill my battery but jump a lot of other drivers. Looking to save myself the hassle of popping hood and hooking/unhooking cables.

I cant imagine Toyota never factored on people killing their battery in the limited. One door lock is all you get?

I've broken a key lock before and then my fob died but it was cool because door locks were broken and car didn't lock. I am curious to know what the best solution to this situation would be. Releasing the hood from the under the car might be doable but I've never really looked where the release cable is routed.

to unlock the doors basically any kind of connection to the battery will do it, you don't need a lot of power for a door latch

Me personally I have solar connections and 120V onboard charger connections I could use, but hell a 12V cigarette lighter port wired in the engine bay you could get to from under the vehicle would probably work just fine.

 

[jrandom]

I have an on-board charger/maintainer and the plug is accessible with opening the hood, cheap and reliable add-on, cost me $120 and an hours time.

 

[thennen]

That may be the case with the Limited.

Mine is an SR5 - key unlocks tailgate.

As others are saying, no power, no unlock at tailgate. There is no mechanical link between the key lock and the door latch, only an electrical one.

 

[dexter80]

I was on vacation and when I come back the battery is dead on my 5th Gen. Not even lights flash when I push the button on remote.
Does anyone knows how to open the hood from outside, so the battery can be recharged? Door lock cylinder is broken and 5th Gen for some reason now has only driver door lock cylinder, my 4th Gen has one on the driver door and another on the hatch door, but for some reason Toyota stop making this.

I just had a similar problem and I was able to fix my door lock problem but I had to get roadside assistance to get me in initially.

Does your key turn at all? My backup manual key would turn freely left and right but have no effect on the lock status. I had to disassemble the door and the door lock cylinder "shaft" -or whatever the technical term is.. - was sitting on top of the door actuator on the inside of the door. I had to take it partially apart from the inside, loosen the actuator, then fish my hand in between the door to get that door lock shaft back into the hole in the actuator. Now my backup manual key is functional again. If this is your problem I'll be happy to talk further with you and I can post photos and video of what it looked like inside.

 

[The_Digital_1]

I just had the same situation. Door lock broken, battery dead. I was able to get into the vehicle by doing the following:
1. Behind the right wheel there is a plastic cover you can pull back and get access to the alternator.
2. The big screw connection with the cable connected to it is the positive cable.
3. Connect a jumper wire to it or use a battery charger to connect positive 12v to it and use chassis as ground.
4. wait a bit then use your key fob to unlock car.

Hope this helps someone else!
Made an account here just to post this...