Keys for 2003 4Runner

[tangodude]

Greetings folks,
I'm brand new to this forum and brand new to a Toyota 4Runner. I just bought a used 2003 V8 with Sport trim from a reputable local used car dealer. They have done everything my mechanics recommended with almost no extra cost to me.

The one thing remaining is a key problem. The car came with one key and one separate transponder. The key only works in the ignition and the glove box. It absolutely will not work in the doors. It has a slight bend in it. The transponder is the only thing that will open the doors, but I don't want to rely just on that. The dealer is working on getting a new key.

One of my questions is, can I get a key that will work in both the ignition and the doors? One of my mechanics thinks that the '03 had separate keys for each. The manual I got for this '03 4Runner is titled "2004 Owner's Manual" and it shows only Master keys (black) and a Sub key (gray). I know about these as I had the same thing with my former Honda Element. This vehicle was built in 9/02 so it is an '03.

Ideally, I would like to have three keys, one daily key, one spare, and one to hide on the vehicle. Late in the year I will be towing a small trailer into the mountainous boonies and want keys that work.

I have done a search on this but can't find anything which completely answers this particular predicament. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Bob

 

[jharris2]

One of my questions is, can I get a key that will work in both the ignition and the doors? One of my mechanics thinks that the '03 had separate keys for each.

Welcome to the forum! Thanks for searching before posting.

Your mechanic is wrong -- I just tried my key in the lock to be sure. Unless the ignition switch or the lock was changed, they use the same key. Maybe the problem is the bend in the key. New keys will need to be programmed into the system so they will start the truck.

Also, you'll probably want to get another key fob. Lots of threads on the forum about that subject.

 

[tangodude]

Thanks for the quick answer. Very helpful. After looking at the Carfax report, an auto-body friend of mine thinks a repo may have been involved at one time. If so, maybe some damage was done to the key or cylinders at that time. I will be following up on this tomorrow.

 

[sr5hi]

Thanks for the quick answer. Very helpful. After looking at the Carfax report, an auto-body friend of mine thinks a repo may have been involved at one time. If so, maybe some damage was done to the key or cylinders at that time. I will be following up on this tomorrow.

The Black Key should work in the door, tailgate, ignition and glove box. If the vehicle was involved in a repo, the door lock may have been damaged in the process. When you use the key in the door lock does the key turn freely, but just does not unlock the door? If the key turns freely, maybe the linkage from the lock cylinder to the lock assembly is unhooked or broken. It may have been damaged if the repo agents used a Slim Jim to open the door. If the key does not turn at all, then the problem maybe your bent key or the lock cylinder itself. Does your key work in the tailgate? Does your Grey Key (Sub/Valet) work in the door, tailgate and ignition?

 

[tangodude]

The Black Key should work in the door, tailgate, ignition and glove box. If the vehicle was involved in a repo, the door lock may have been damaged in the process. When you use the key in the door lock does the key turn freely, but just does not unlock the door? If the key turns freely, maybe the linkage from the lock cylinder to the lock assembly is unhooked or broken. It may have been damaged if the repo agents used a Slim Jim to open the door. If the key does not turn at all, then the problem maybe the your bent key or the lock cylinder itself. Does your key work in the tailgate?

Thanks for the info. The black key only works in the ignition and glove box. In the driver's door and tailgate it doesn't budge at all.

 

[sr5hi]

Thanks for the info. The black key only works in the ignition and glove box. In the driver's door and tailgate it doesn't budge at all.

I am going make a wild guess as what the problem might be. Assuming all the lock cylinders on the vehicle are okay, and your Black Key is the correct key for your vehicle, it could be your bent key is at fault. Because we use the key every time we start the vehicle, the tumblers in the ignition lock cylinder get worn over time and maybe more forgiving of a slightly bent key. The glove box lock is not a high quality lock and therefore maybe more forgiving of your bent key. I think most owners, myself included use the key fob to lock and unlock the doors. We rarely use the key itself in the door locks. Therefore the the tumblers in the door lock cylinders have little or no wear, and are not forgiving of a bent key. Or maybe due to none use the door and tailgate lock cylinders are stuck from corrosion and grime.

 

[TechWrench]

If you haven't already, try the key in the rear hatch lock. If it works there, then it probably isn't the slight bend in the key that is the issue. Then I would suspect that both the door locks have been changed, maybe because of the repo incident. If the key does not work in the rear door either, then it could be the bend in the key. Since you said it does work in both the ignition and the glove box, I am guessing the ignition switch wasn't changed, because it doesn't seem likely that they would have changed both the ignition cylinder and the glove box cylinder and have them still keyed alike. Unless the key is really bent, you should if you are careful, be able to straighten it out. Also, the dealer should be able to make a new key, using the VIN to determine the correct dey cut. Because all they will be able to do is replicate the original key that came with the vehicle, you should be able to match it up with the one you already have. If it is different, and will open the doors, then someone did change the ignition and glove box locks. If matches your present key, and still won't open the doors, then the door locks were replaced, and you will have to see if a locksmith can rekey them to the key you have, or possibly Toyota can order a set of door locks that match the ignition cylinder.

PS: after reading your last answer, I realize you have tried the key in the rear door. But, you did specify the key didn't work in the drivers door and the rear hatch, but you didn't mention the passenger side door. Does it work in that one?

 

[sr5hi]

If you haven't already, try the key in the rear hatch lock. If it works there, then it probably isn't the slight bend in the key that is the issue. Then I would suspect that both the door locks have been changed, maybe because of the repo incident. If the key does not work in the rear door either, then it could be the bend in the key. Since you said it does work in both the ignition and the glove box, I am guessing the ignition switch wasn't changed, because it doesn't seem likely that they would have changed both the ignition cylinder and the glove box cylinder and have them still keyed alike. Unless the key is really bent, you should if you are careful, be able to straighten it out. Also, the dealer should be able to make a new key, using the VIN to determine the correct dey cut. Because all they will be able to do is replicate the original key that came with the vehicle, you should be able to match it up with the one you already have. If it is different, and will open the doors, then someone did change the ignition and glove box locks. If matches your present key, and still won't open the doors, then the door locks were replaced, and you will have to see if a locksmith can rekey them to the key you have, or possibly Toyota can order a set of door locks that match the ignition cylinder.

PS: after reading your last answer, I realize you have tried the key in the rear door. But, you did specify the key didn't work in the drivers door and the rear hatch, but you didn't mention the passenger side door. Does it work in that one?

There is no key hole in the passenger front door. Toyota like many car makers have eliminated the key hole on the passenger front door on some models.

 

[tangodude]

Good morning folks,

Just a quick update to the key problem. The local used car dealer that sold me the '03 4Runner got me a key from the local Toyota dealer for free, I guess because he deals with them a lot. He's going to see about getting a couple more. Then I have to get them programmed to work in the ignition. I think he said the dealership would charge me $52.50 whether I had one or three programmed. So, I'm going to wait until I get the other keys.

The key works in the two door locks, driver's and rear, including raising and lowering the rear window. (Yes, there is no passenger side lock.)

I told these guys that they are in danger of changing the reputation of used car dealers. I couldn't be happier with the treatment I've had so far.

And, I want to thank those of you who responded. I'm very impressed with this forum.

 

[jharris2]

Good morning folks,

Just a quick update to the key problem. The local used car dealer that sold me the '03 4Runner got me a key from the local Toyota dealer for free, I guess because he deals with them a lot. He's going to see about getting a couple more. Then I have to get them programmed to work in the ignition. I think he said the dealership would charge me $52.50 whether I had one or three programmed. So, I'm going to wait until I get the other keys.

The key works in the two door locks, driver's and rear, including raising and lowering the rear window. (Yes, there is no passenger side lock.

OK, so the problem is that the key is bent. That's good so you will have just one key for everything.

I told these guys that they are in danger of changing the reputation of used car dealers. I couldn't be happier with the treatment I've had so far.

:lmao:

And, I want to thank those of you who responded. I'm very impressed with this forum.

You're welcome -- this forum is full of helpful people.

 

[Uneek]

Your total key and remote count should be: two master keys (black rubber head, opens all locks), valet key (gray rubber head, doesn't open glove box) and two remotes (with a button to lower the rear window).

 

[tangodude]

Your total key and remote count should be: two master keys (black rubber head, opens all locks), valet key (gray rubber head, doesn't open glove box) and two remotes (with a button to lower the rear window).

It looks like I will end up with 3 master keys. One is the freebie that the used car dealer got for me. He also found a fairly good deal for 2 masters with a remote. I guess I'll go with that as I never used the valet key feature (not working in the glove box) with my former car. With my current remote, that will give me the total you mention. Thanks.