Odd key behavior? Car runs without a key???

[Spriter]

Hello All,

I have been enjoying a 2005 4wd t4r for the past couple of months and today i did something by accident and discovered .....what I guess is a feature?



It seems that once the engine has turned over, that the key can be COMPLETELY REMOVED from the ignition and the car continues to run.


Is this intended?
In all other cars ive driven, the key is locked in place and cannot be taken out, but on this truck the key has no resistance to being taken out and seems to be OK with that in the context of the engine running.

Below is an image of the engine idling at 500 RPM with the chipped key in hand (i swear there is no magic tricks here, i dont have a second key in the ignition)

 

[woodman60]

not the way mine works

 

[Spriter]

I wonder if this could be due to a remote starter installed by the previous owner?

Suppose it shouldn't be too difficult to check for a starter module.

 

[rwh963]

spooky

 

[anonymousgromers]

Dude mine does something similar but it only let's me take the key out on the accessory mode

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

 

[andreylights]

Same thing with mine 2007. The key can be removed from any position. Not a major problem, the key slote (or whatever it's called) is old and not holding the key anymore. Whatever %)

 

[Trumpet]

I've had a few cars over the years develop that 'problem'. The ignition key cylinder is worn out, the key is worn too. You might consider replacing it before it fails to work.

 

[JPGood]

What Trumpet said.

 

[riceandpho]

you need new ignition switch, maybe new keys too.

if you have an aftermarket remote start install, you can put the truck in pit stop mode. which you hold the remote start button the on remote while the truck is running, take the key out and walk away, you get about 15 mins or less. but dont hit the brake, once you hit the brake, the system suppose to shutoff.

 

[wcjeep]

With the key out, vehicle running you could run into the General Motors problem. Any bump could turn off the vehicle while in motion.

 

[Boconnor303]

Is that a black Master key or a grey Valet key?

When I bought my 2003 it only came from the PO with one Valet key, meaning I could not program any additional keys.

My truck does this with the Valet key as it does not have the two tall fins on the end of the key (which yours seems to be missing as well). I have since had keys cut to the VIN and they will lock inside the ignition cylinder....Although getting the immobilizer reprogrammed for them to work is a different story.
.
Just a thought

 

[Seymore Butts]

The bigger problem is if the key falls out while driving, your defective lock could lock up the steering wheel.

 

[fihnguy]

A while back I found out the same thing about my vehicle, also by accident. Didn't think much of it and was sure all 4Runners are like that (this is the first time I am finding out they are not, lol). Then one day, I thought that it is probably done so that i can start the vehicle, take the key out, get out and lock it. So I tried that and it didn't work; it would not lock with the remote anyway. I got distracted, but a couple minutes later I got back in the vehicle and drove away. When I got to where I was going, I realized I was driving without the keys in the ignition. So there is that. Just in case, I decided not to experiment again and not take the keys out when the vehicle is running.

Mine is 08 V6 Sport Edition with an aftermarket remote starter installed by the previous owner. It also has an issue of lights not turning off when it stops running after being started with the remote control (when lights are set to auto and it is dark out). So there is obviously something wrong there.

 

[hinmo24t]

i had a vehicle that did this too - but i didnt use the feature very often

 

[Spriter]

So after getting a priest, a rabbi, a imam, a exorcist, a master tech, and a grease monkey to look at this, I ended up discovering the root cause!


So it seems my black (original?) key is worn to the point that it can be slide out during any operation, including driving with no affect, this also means NO STEERING WHEEL LOCK.

But since im afraid of that lock coming into effect at a random time, i attempted to use my "Grey" key.

The grey key, once turned cannot be pulled out once turned and functions as intended. As i understand this is considered a Valet key?


On inspection, the black key is very worn down compared to the grey key.

Now for a sanity check, this would indicate that the softer metal from the key has been worn away, and simply getting the key remade should be all that is needed as it seems the key cylinder still functions well with a unworn key, is this correct? I base this off the fact that the cylinder is made from much stronger metal than the key.

 

[AuSeeker]

So after getting a priest, a rabbi, a imam, a exorcist, a master tech, and a grease monkey to look at this, I ended up discovering the root cause!


So it seems my black (original?) key is worn to the point that it can be slide out during any operation, including driving with no affect, this also means NO STEERING WHEEL LOCK.

But since im afraid of that lock coming into effect at a random time, i attempted to use my "Grey" key.

The grey key, once turned cannot be pulled out once turned and functions as intended. As i understand this is considered a Valet key?


On inspection, the black key is very worn down compared to the grey key.

Now for a sanity check, this would indicate that the softer metal from the key has been worn away, and simply getting the key remade should be all that is needed as it seems the key cylinder still functions well with a unworn key, is this correct? I base this off the fact that the cylinder is made from much stronger metal than the key.

This would be correct, BUT don't use the Valet to try make another Master Key, if I'm not mistaken they're cut a little bit different so the Valet key will not unlock the glovebox so you can lock something in there you don't want the "valet" to steal when he parks your vehicle, hince the name of the key.

The best way to get a "new" master key is to get the dealer to cut a new one using your VIN number, it's a bit more money but it will be a "Brand New Key" as good as your origninal one was when it was new, either way you make a new key it will still have to be programmed, here again you can get the dealer to do it for a bunch money, or you can do it yourself with the proper procedure posted many times on this forum.