Key won't turn, nothing works, please help!

[Destro]

Hey guys, long time lurker here. Sorry to introduce myself in this manner, but I am in a desperate situation here with my 100, and throwing hail marys. I've owned an '07 LX 470 for about 8 years. Every 4-6 months for the past 5 years, randomly, the key won't turn out of the Start position. Eventually, after trying for maybe 5 min or 2 hours later, a random key insertion and turn will work perfectly as if there was never a problem, and it will continue to work buttery smooth until the next random time when it doesn't. I've searched this forum and internet and tried every possible suggestion to no avail. I've asked a guy who exclusively restores 100's as well as my local Cruiser shop who had no answers. Of course it doesn't help that they can't recreate the problem since locking up is completely random.

-It's not the steering wheel lock. Most times the wheel is straight. Messing with wheel position doesn't help.
-It isn't the key. It has happened with 4 different keys including newly cut ones.
-Graphite or dry lube doesn't help. The key is completely prevented from turning until it works smoothly.
-I've had the tumbler removed, cleaned and inspected. It looked fine.
-I've replaced the cylinder. It locked up less than a month later.
-Jiggling the shifter, or manually taking out of park then back doesn't help.

After getting stranded last night for 5 hours and eventually getting towed home, I am at the end of myself and ready to throw in the towel, and would welcome any suggestions.
Thanks

 

[excessive]

there is a known issue with the ignition rod breaking, could it be related to that ?

 

[Destro]

there is a known issue with the ignition rod breaking, could it be related to that ?

I just went back to my old notes and noticed that my local cruiser shop replaced this. But if there were issues with the ignition/rod/tumbler I would expect to notice a different "feel" when turning the key. It feels smooth for the 1000+ key turns between times that it locks up.

 

[J1000]

My first thought is the steering wheel lock but I've only had that interfere when turning the vehicle on. Sounds like your issue is that you can't turn the key off? Is that correct?

From my understanding Toyota upgraded the ignition rod in the later 100 series so yours shouldn't be at risk of breaking being an '07.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

the key won't turn out of the Start position.

So the key is in the lock position when you put the key in, then you turn through acc and on and then start, which is a temporary position that engages the starter motor. Are you saying you can't turn it past lock or once you engage the starter, it won't back out of that position?

 

[Destro]

My first thought is the steering wheel lock but I've only had that interfere when turning the vehicle on. Sounds like your issue is that you can't turn the key off? Is that correct?

From my understanding Toyota upgraded the ignition rod in the later 100 series so yours shouldn't be at risk of breaking being an '07.

No, I can't rotate the key clockwise at all.

So the key is in the lock position when you put the key in, then you turn through acc and on and then start, which is a temporary position that engages the starter motor. Are you saying you can't turn it past lock or once you engage the starter, it won't back out of that position?

I apologize for the confusion. I insert the key, and it doesn't rotate at all.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Rather than a Toyota guy that does general things I'd hit up a locksmith that specializes in auto locks and get their take on it.

 

[2001LC]

key won't turn out of the Start position. Eventually, after trying for maybe 5 min or 2 hours later, a random key insertion and turn will work perfectly

"Turn out of start", is CCW

No, I can't rotate the key clockwise at all.

I apologize for the confusion. I insert the key, and it doesn't rotate at all.

"Can't rotate" CW.

These are confusing statements?

First, with both LC & LX, we must not turn key, with steering wheel lock engaged and pressure on it. Doing so breaks the bends/breaks keys and rod, between tumbler & steering wheel lock of IG SW. We must, turn steering wheel, so that pressure is off the lock. Key, then turns freely with resistance.

I do see issues with the LX key:

1) Hang a bunch of key, chains, ete. All adding weight to key, being hung off IG SW. Wears out and or damages tumbler and pins. New tumblers from Lexus, come with two cuts keys. These keys, are not match vehicle doors. So, I have tumbler re-keyed/pinned to old (door) key. Otherwise we've two different cut keys for one LX.

2) If we insert an LX key, cut for different IG SW. Tumblers often lock-up. Trick: Insert correct key in IG SW. Give a few hard taps on back of key, with plastic end of screwdriver.

 

[2001LC]

I'll add:

I've not seen this. But can imagine. The steering wheel locking mechanism hanging up. It's designed to release when key inserted.

This is an 04LX
Seems, I once read of an issue with the box we see two blue wires going into. Also there's a threads somewhere, about contact in back.

I've been saving this IG assy, just in case I or someone needs.

 

[Destro]

Rather than a Toyota guy that does general things I'd hit up a locksmith that specializes in auto locks and get their take on it.

So the Cruiser shop got a locksmith to remove, inspect, clean and reassemble the tumbler. Supposedly, everything was good.

 

[Destro]

"Turn out of start", is CCW


"Can't rotate" CW.

These are confusing statements?

First, with both LC & LX, we must not turn key, with steering wheel lock engaged and pressure on it. Doing so breaks the bends/breaks keys and rod, between tumbler & steering wheel lock of IG SW. We must, turn steering wheel, so that pressure is off the lock. Key, then turns freely with resistance.

I do see issues with the LX key:

1) Hang a bunch of key, chains, ete. All adding weight to key, being hung off IG SW. Wears out and or damages tumbler and pins. New tumblers from Lexus, come with two cuts keys. These keys, are not match vehicle doors. So, I have tumbler re-keyed/pinned to old (door) key. Otherwise we've two different cut keys for one LX.

2) If we insert an LX key, cut for different IG SW. Tumblers often lock-up. Trick: Insert correct key in IG SW. Give a few hard taps on back of key, with plastic end of screwdriver.

I've been very careful not to try to force the key. A locking mechanism doesn't seem like the thing to try to force. The key either turns perfectly, or absolutely no movement (like when the steering wheel is binding, even though it is free at the time). There is no in between.

I keep as few keys on a ring as possible, always have.

Does IG SW = ignition software? If so this is interesting, and new to me... will have to research...

 

[2001LC]

Does IG SW = ignition software? If so this is interesting, and new to me... will have to research...

SW = switch.

 

[J1000]

Everything you say screams steering wheel lock. Sometimes I have to really crank on the steering wheel to get the key to release, even when it doesn't seem like it's moving if I turn it harder then the key releases.

 

[TahoeZ]

Bumping this thread. I've started having the same issue and haven't come up with a solution yet. It definitely seems similar to the steering wheel lock when it happens, but moving the wheel doesn't do anything and when the key finally does turn, I haven't been touching or moving the steering wheel at all.

 

[2001LC]

Clean & lube pins (inside key slot). May need new key cut. Best is to have, Dealership, cut to VIN #.

 

[TahoeZ]

Clean & lube pins (inside key slot). May need new key cut. Best is to have, Dealership, cut to VIN #.

Thanks. I have lubed it thoroughly. Same issue with three different keys, so I don't believe it's a key problem. As stated above, there is no movement of the key at all, like the wheel is locked, but the wheel is not "locked out" and turning the wheel side to side doesn't help. Then, suddenly, the key will turn easily with zero resistance, even though I haven't changed anything else.

I found another thread on the topic where a few people stated that overriding the shifter and shifting into neutral, then rolling the vehicle, allowed it to unlock. I plan to try that method next time it happens.

 

[2001LC]

Sure try it! But I don't see rolling vehicle doing anything, to allow IG key to turn. Other than people doing this. Tend to grab and turn steering as they work to roll vehicle. Which turning steering wheel, opposite direction it was turned to lock, takes tension off steering wheel lock.

If not, a key, or key cylinder (tumbler) issue. It could be the steering lock pin is sticking or malfunctioning. Which I've never had to deal with. I once saw a thread on this in mud 100 series tech section. Which I mentioned above, the wires going to. Search for other threads in mud on this.

But, I'd first make very sure pins of/and tumble are not sticking. Since easiest to correct and most common. Just lubing may not be enough. I'd removing and clean tumbler.

This is Lexus. Stop Pin location, may be different in LC.

Also as suggested. If keys have been being made by tracing old key. Having cut by VIN # instead, may help. The Dealership key cutting machine, is designed to take tracing worn-out keys into account. But I still like them cut to VIN, so I know prefect.

Sometime I mix up my Lexus keys. By inserting wrong key in IG SW, tumblers become jammed. Key will not budge, since pins now jammed. Trick I learned when this happens. Insert correct key, them smack back end of key, with screwdriver handle. The vibration of smacking, releases jammed tumbler pins.

 

[Pinittowinit]

Mine has started doing this from time to time and I just pull the key out and flip it over. works every time.. so far until it doesn't lol

 

[Max.Powerzz]

I have been having this exact issue for years, but only when the steering wheel locked. So I am always careful to leave the wheels straight when I turn it off and not lock the steering column.This past week, the ignition won't turn and the steering is not locked. It will take us an hour of gently jiggling and suddenly free up and the key will turn. It was related to the wheel lock but it's progressed to where the key won't turn at all, even when the column is not locked. You can hear a tiny hiss when you insert the key, almost like a valve being relieved. But I can't get it to turn at all. Tried with multiple keys and flipping directions. Some threads say it might be a broken push rod?

 

[2001LC]

I have been having this exact issue for years, but only when the steering wheel locked. So I am always careful to leave the wheels straight when I turn it off and not lock the steering column.This past week, the ignition won't turn and the steering is not locked. It will take us an hour of gently jiggling and suddenly free up and the key will turn. It was related to the wheel kick but it's progressed to where it won't turn at all. You can hear a tiny hiss when you insert the key, almost like a valve being relieved. But I can't get it to turn at all. Tried with multiple keys and flipping directions. Some threads say it might be a broken push rod?

The "tiny hiss" you hear. Is likely, tilt or tele motor.
Taking tumble out and cleaning, may help.
Make sure, when steering wheel locks, because it was turned with IG key out. You turn in opposite direction, to take tension off locking pin.