Help dead battery and can't open doors...

[Nealf2002]

Hi my in laws have gotten into a jam where they can't open any door with the key and a dead battery on a 2003 4runner. Any ideas what I can do? The dealer says they have never heard of this...
Thanks.

 

[Druss]

Hi my in laws have gotten into a jam where they can't open any door with the key and a dead battery on a 2003 4runner. Any ideas what I can do? The dealer says they have never heard of this...
Thanks.

Sorry about your problem :crybaby:...have they tried every door or just one? I would
think using the key in a mechanical lock should work on one of the five doors.

My car door won't unlock? - Yahoo! Answers

 

[Nealf2002]

Follow up

Yes they claim they have tried both doors, and the rear hatch... We are all stumped here... Thanks for any help in advance...

 

[Zuke]

Are they using the master black key?

 

[DC runner]

They need to jiggle it...


This could quite possibly be the first time that physical key gimble has ever been used and if so, it is probably stubborn. Assure them that their key will open the door and a squirt of wd40 might help.

 

[J053619]

Haha I actually just helped my boss today open his X5's tailgate because his battery was dead. As for the 4runner with all doors locked not sure how to help on that :\

 

[nyc4runnin]

if the battery is dead, the master key will work in the driver door only. if it doesn't work, then there's something wrong with the key/lock.

 

[nyc4runnin]

if you're daring enuf, u can also remove the license plate light, and inject your own 12VDC source into the lamp socket - should be enuf to power up the automatic locks. make sure u know which wire is ground !!!! LOL

 

[Sungod]

As nyc said, the only door you can open with a key is the drivers door. No other doors are key locked. The rear hatch requires voltage. Check around to find out which window is the least expensive and compare that to the price of getting a lock smith out to get in.

 

[Asmara]

As nyc said, the only door you can open with a key is the drivers door. No other doors are key locked. The rear hatch requires voltage. Check around to find out which window is the least expensive and compare that to the price of getting a lock smith out to get in.

I'd probably see if you can access the hood release cable, cut that and then pull the center wire. Probably cheaper and easier to fix. Once you get the hood open, you can put power to the battery and use the remote. Looks like the cable runs about $25.

 

[DC runner]

I mean, if they ever started the dang car they have the right keys. It has to be the key lock mechanism is stuck from non-use and they should be able to jiggle it and wd40 it open.

 

[Druss]

if the battery is dead, the master key will work in the driver door only. if it doesn't work, then there's something wrong with the key/lock.

Wow these modern vehicles are so technology enhanced!

 

[Sungod]

I mean, if they ever started the dang car they have the right keys. It has to be the key lock mechanism is stuck from non-use and they should be able to jiggle it and wd40 it open.

It sounds simple, but have you used your key in your lock recently? Possibly 9 years of road salt and grime could be built up in there. That might be a little more than some spray lubricant can handle. I think I might go try mine just out of curiosity because now that I think of it, I don't think I have ever used my key in the door. I only use it in that rear hatch.

 

[Sungod]

I'd probably see if you can access the hood release cable, cut that and then pull the center wire. Probably cheaper and easier to fix. Once you get the hood open, you can put power to the battery and use the remote. Looks like the cable runs about $25.

Getting to that cable would be a challenge. It runs along the fender and then next to the radiator support. You can see it from the space in between the bumper and the radiator, but the section that is exposed runs in side a metal tube. It could be done, but personally I don't have the patience. A brick would be quicker. :ak472:

 

[Gecko123]

Hi my in laws have gotten into a jam where they can't open any door with the key and a dead battery on a 2003 4runner. Any ideas what I can do? The dealer says they have never heard of this...
Thanks.

call AAA and get them to use a slim jim. don't break the windows. you want the original windows. having a replacement window is just not the same as they may not do a good job with the seals and the window itself may not be the same quality as the original

 

[Asmara]

if you're daring enuf, u can also remove the license plate light, and inject your own 12VDC source into the lamp socket - should be enuf to power up the automatic locks. make sure u know which wire is ground !!!! LOL

I was thinking about this too, but using the trailer wiring. The problem is that with the headlight switch off (unless they left the lights on which is what killed the battery) I wonder if it would actually inject any power. You'd probably need to find a circuit that was always hot. The brake light circuit might work.

 

[RAD4Runner]

Too Much Bleeding-Edge Technology

Wow these modern vehicles are so technology enhanced!

Exactly. I know someone whose Lexus does not have a mechanical key. His remote battery died, so he had to find someone to give him a ride so he can buy a replacement battery and get back in his car! Too many times technology is applied to prove what it can do, and not what we want/need it to do.

 

[rebelbowtie]

Exactly. I know someone whose Lexus does not have a mechanical key. His remote battery died, so he had to find someone to give him a ride so he can buy a replacement battery and get back in his car! Too many times technology is applied to prove what it can do, and not what we want/need it to do.

Most of these vehicles with electronic keys still have a real key inside the keyfob. My old dodge charger was like that, the Lexus owner might have not known any better.