dead battery and locked out. options?

[carolina_cruiser]

As embarassed as I am to admit it, I allowed the battery to go dead on my 80 due to lack of use.

Even more embarassing, I've owned it for nearly two years and have always used the key fob to lock and unlock the doors.

Now that the battery is dead, I have discovered that the key will not unlock either the driver nor the passenger doors. I'm not sure if it is the sticky lock / worn key issue or perhaps the ignition and doors are not keyed the same.

So, I'm wondering if there is a way to put a charger on the battery without opening the hood. Or to open the hood without unlocking the doors. Any ideas?

I've already tried lubing up the locks without success and used as much force as I can without damaging the key.

 

[MoJ]

And you've tried the rear hatch?

And you've tried a different key?

 

[cruiserdan]

Try the key in the lift gate.



EDIT

Too slow

 

[carolina_cruiser]

I didn't realize there was a key on the rear hatch. I'll go give it a try. Thanks

 

[Bluetribal]

Yeah the key hole is under the logo. The TOYOTA logo slides up out of the way.

So Dan wich is the cheapest window on a cruiser for breakage??

 

[carolina_cruiser]

No go on the hatch lock either. Even with copious amounts of WD40.

I guess plan B may be to drive to the dealer and get a key cut from the VIN (assuming the locks are original).

Unless there is a way to charge the battery from underneath the vehicle...

 

[Grench]

I didn't realize there was a key on the rear hatch. I'll go give it a try. Thanks

Behind the little Toyota emblem on the lift gate. 2 years eh? I learn something new about these all the time too.

I was too late on that one. Hmm... Is there a way to trip the hood release from the outside. Would publishing this online be a good thing or a bad?

Can you do this if you take off the grill?

 

[MoJ]

No go on the hatch lock either. Even with copious amounts of WD40.

...

Nahhh, you came back way too soon, keep trying.

 

[cruiser88]

brick

 

[cruiserdan]

No go on the hatch lock either. Even with copious amounts of WD40.

I guess plan B may be to drive to the dealer and get a key cut from the VIN (assuming the locks are original).

Unless there is a way to charge the battery from underneath the vehicle...

You will need the VIN, proof of ownership and photo ID that matches the proof of ownership in order to get one cut. Be sure to have all of that with you.

 

[Scamper]

Get a good battery or equivalent and a set of jumpers. Crawl under the truck and put the positive on the starter cable (positive cable) and put the negative anywhere on the truck as a ground. Try the fob...

I remember asking this exact question just a little while ago and wondered how you get in once this happend...this was my conclusion, but I don't know that it will work for sure.

PS: you may have to turn the ignition on; dunno.

 

[MLX450]

Try to move the sliding widows on the rear. One might be unlatched (if you're lucky) then get somebody to fit in there and unlock the door....

 

[SR.GRINGO]

Graphite--works better then wd40. My cruiser/Tacoma locks didn't work until I used this. Home depot or Napa should have this. Is is made to use in locks.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Scamper's method is the ticket. The starter big wire runs directly to the + battery, and any ground on the body will do. Once it's energized, it should open right up.

 

[carolina_cruiser]

Thanks for the suggestions. I spoke with Toyota and they will release the key code to the dealer tomorrow morning.

I looked at trying something along the lines of Scamper's suggestion but given that it's raining and getting dark I think getting a key made may be the easiest solution, if it works.

Oh well, I suppose this is my penance for parking and covering the 80 for a couple months even though I knew better.

Better to find out about the lock / key issue now with a warm house, phone and internet connection nearby than to discover it some evening out in the woods in the middle of nowhere.


EDIT: I may give the Scamper method a try in the morning if it isn't raining. That would be a lot faster than an extra trip to the dealership.

 

[tech_dog]

If not one of the three door locks works, I'm guessing you have the wrong key.

By any chance does it have a blue oval with the word "Ford" on it?

 

[cruiserdan]

Thanks for the suggestions. I spoke with Toyota and they will release the key code to the dealer tomorrow morning.

You are still going to need proof of ownership and photo ID in order to pick up the key.

Since your existing key works in the ignition and not the doors, that leads me to suspect that the ignition key cylinder may have been changed at some point.

 

[Scamper]

You are still going to need proof of ownership and photo ID in order to pick up the key.

I suggest an anal probe too...offered all that to my local and that's what I got.

 

[carolina_cruiser]

If not one of the three door locks works, I'm guessing you have the wrong key.

By any chance does it have a blue oval with the word "Ford" on it?

I can't count the number of times that I've tried to start the cruiser with the key for my MR2 (of the same vintage) and vice-versa. But yes, I have double and triple checked that I'm using the correct key.

You are still going to need proof of ownership and photo ID in order to pick up the key.

Thanks for the reminder. I spoke with the dealer and I have the insurance card and title which along with my driver's license will be sufficient.

 

[FJ809496TLC]

It might be a wrong key like tech_dog said or a wrong Cruiser?