No way to open rear hatch with key?

MeBe4running

MeBe4running

New member
I cant believe this would be the case but it was. Battery went flat with all door's locked. No problem as I could open my drivers door with the key. Now, the jump cables where in my cargo drawers which where in the back (trunk, boot). Well, there's no way to open the rear hatch with the manual key and with the battery flat obviously the Unlock switch wouldn't work. Therefore I couldn't access the cables.

Now, am I being stupid here, or is this really the case that theres no way to open the rear hatch manually with a key when your battery is flat?
 
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Rocketegg said:
Fold your rear seat down and you can reach into the cargo area.
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That's not the point! Yeah, that's pretty stupid you can't open the rear hatch without power. Never did occur to me that the rear key hole is just for rolling the rear hatch window.
 
Usually vehicles have an emergency release...

[search]
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/68776-electronic-rear-hatch-if-power-out.html#post585700
SeattleMike said:
On the tailgate, there is a small 3"x3" panel that pops out, behind which is a sheet of plastic, behind which is the manual release for the tailgate.
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Now i have to locate the panel for future reference :nerd:
Screenshot-21.jpg~original

Hope your drawers don't block the access.
 
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Ttn333 said:
That's not the point! Yeah, that's pretty stupid you can't open the rear hatch without power. Never did occur to me that the rear key hole is just for rolling the rear hatch window.
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That's stupid, my 4th gen it locks/unlocks every door when you put the key in the hatch.
 
So..... I am glad its not just me. This however is a dilemma, certainly for me. I like traveling off the beaten path. So I carry alot of recovery gear and tools etc.... I put them in the draws in the trunk as I need the space in the back seats. Also traveling down rough, bumpy roads, things go everywhere unless there tied down and put away securely. Well these draws with its content can weigh around 200 lbs give or take. Yeah there not going anywhere.


The point is yes, I do have a access to the rear emergency panel but I want to be able to open the trunk from the outisde with a KEY in an event like discribed above.

In moving forward I am going to have to find a solution to have a manual as well as an electronic opening for the rear hatch. Toyota this simply wont do!
 
MeBe4running said:
So..... I am glad its not just me. This however is a dilemma, certainly for me. I like traveling off the beaten path. So I carry alot of recovery gear and tools etc.... I put them in the draws in the trunk as I need the space in the back seats. Also traveling down rough, bumpy roads, things go everywhere unless there tied down and put away securely. Well these draws with its content can weigh around 200 lbs give or take. Yeah there not going anywhere.


The point is yes, I do have a access to the rear emergency panel but I want to be able to open the trunk from the outisde with a KEY in an event like discribed above.

In moving forward I am going to have to find a solution to have a manual as well as an electronic opening for the rear hatch. Toyota this simply wont do!
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Well, I think you are going to have to live with it. I agree, if you have a mechanical key, it should be able to open ALL the doors. But, that is not to be. It is what it is.... So here is my suggestion. As part of of your 200lbs of recovery and/or survival equipment, add on of those jump starter packs. You know, the ones that look like a ladies purse, but will start a low battery once or maybe twice. At least you will have enough power to gain entrance to your rear tail gate to get to the other stuff you may or may not need.....be safe.
 
Jtraskell said:
Well, I think you are going to have to live with it. I agree, if you have a mechanical key, it should be able to open ALL the doors. But, that is not to be. It is what it is.... So here is my suggestion. As part of of your 200lbs of recovery and/or survival equipment, add on of those jump starter packs. You know, the ones that look like a ladies purse, but will start a low battery once or maybe twice. At least you will have enough power to gain entrance to your rear tail gate to get to the other stuff you may or may not need.....be safe.
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Yes, agreed. I had a good look at the mechanical system and came to the conclusion that there's a reason why Toyota hasn't given you that option. I think it's completely down to the rear rolling glass on our 4runners. There is no way to reach the hatch release key from the key entrance without interference of the rear rolling glass. Pictures to come.

Thanks for your input, valid point.
 
Thinking outside of the box here, but what are the options to adding a trap-door from the top into you drawer so you can reach the jumper cables? That way you have access without having to open the rear hatch.

Okki
 
Okki said:
Thinking outside of the box here, but what are the options to adding a trap-door from the top into you drawer so you can reach the jumper cables? That way you have access without having to open the rear hatch.

Okki
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Pun intended....:nerd: lol! It's for sure a possible option... though I have planned to use the top of the draws for heavy camera equipment. Its a great idea for the meantime though :hatsoff:
 
I'm surprised that nobody mentioned dual battery setup yet. Not as cheap as having jump cables or booster accessible but it would completely eliminate dead battery problem.
 
is this smart key only? I could have sworn my SR5 unlocks with the key... will have to go out at lunch and check it out
 
Yes, it does. But I think the locking mech is electrical, not mechanical. If no battery, the key will not work. Be safe.
 
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