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

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I am not having this exact same issue on my '06 LX470 (198k). Being in Dallas which is experiencing unusually cold weather, all of sudden the key will not turn at all. You can wiggle from LOCk and it moves every so slightly, but that is it. Steering wheel is in LOCK position now as well. Wasn't at first, but was turned wheel, hoping it would held and ended up locking it.

Have done:
1. used graphite
2. unlocked shifter and rocked car back and forth
3. lightly tapped inserted key with end of screwdriver (used to take shifter lock cover out)
4. wiggled steering wheel while moving key in/out while gently turning key left/right
5. parking brake never applied so didn't mess with that
6. also tried using spare key (2 PO's and appears to be used previously)

I just ordered some Houdini lock lubricant and will try that when I get back from biz trip this week.

Any other suggestions? Will take title to dealer to have VIN key cut.

TIA,
Scott
 
Did you move steering wheel, in direction it moves with what feel like spring tension against it. To take tension off lock.
 
What is most likely happening. Tumble pins are stuck. My be dirt making stick Or pins were jamb in. In any case now stuck. Which happens to me, when I install wrong LX key.

Here's what I'd try:
  1. Spray parts clean into tumblers, followed by compressed air to blow out and dry. (can of keyboard dust air, works). Angle straw(s) up and down to hit tumblers/pins.
  2. Spray a lubricating oil angle into tumblers. Insert key, remove and wipe clean, multiple times.
  3. Using a very large screw drivers, plastic end. Thump the back end of insert key, briskly 3 or 4 times.
  4. Try turning key, while taking tension off steering wheel locking pin.
Repeat steps 3 & 4. Keep repeating as needed.

Also a warn-out key, or poorly cut key and or aftermarket key. May not be aligning pins properly, to releasing tumbler.
For these I have new key cut at Lexus, by VIN #.

What I've not had to do. But gets job don't ASAP. Call travelling lock smith. They have you fixed up in minutes.
 
2001LC said:
What is most likely happening. Tumble pins are stuck. My be dirt making stick Or pins were jamb in. In any case now stuck. Which happens to me, when I install wrong LX key.

Here's what I'd try:
  1. Spray parts clean into tumblers, followed by compressed air to blow out and dry. (can of keyboard dust air, works). Angle straw(s) up and down to hit tumblers/pins.
  2. Spray a lubricating oil angle into tumblers. Insert key, remove and wipe clean, multiple times.
  3. Using a very large screw drivers, plastic end. Thump the back end of insert key, briskly 3 or 4 times.
  4. Try turning key, while taking tension off steering wheel locking pin.
Repeat steps 3 & 4. Keep repeating as needed.

Also a warn-out key, or poorly cut key and or aftermarket key. May not be aligning pins properly, to releasing tumbler.
For these I have new key cut at Lexus, by VIN #.

What I've not had to do. But gets job don't ASAP. Call travelling lock smith. They have you fixed up in minutes.
Click to expand...
Great advice! Thank you for taking the time to summarize. Will start here when I get back in town. I really appreciate it. Will report back later this week.
 
I wanted to report back that I was able to free my ignition cylinder. I tried everything listed above but used CRC QD Electronics cleaner after the graphite didn’t work. However it didn’t work right away. Car sat for a couple days, tried again - No. Sprayed again. Waited a couple of days - YES! In the meantime, the Houdini lock cleaner/lubricant that I ordered arrived. It was HIGHLY recommended by locksmiths online. Even though it is now working, I sprayed Houdini in as well and cycled the key in/out and turning a couple dozen times to lubricate.

Hopefully smooth sailing here on out!!
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Ugh, I'm in the same situation still. I worked with an auto locksmith, and he said start a new Vin cut key. It is still locking up. It worked for a week and is now jammed again. I can't get stuck in the desert where sometimes it literally won't turn over for days, and then randomly it will work. Dealt ai my witts end and now have a 6k lb brick in my driveway. And unfortunately we left Colorado or I'd be towing to @2001LC for a magic fix
 
Max.Powerzz said:
Ugh, I'm in the same situation still. I worked with an auto locksmith, and he said start a new Vin cut key. It is still locking up. It worked for a week and is now jammed again. I can't get stuck in the desert where sometimes it literally won't turn over for days, and then randomly it will work. Dealt ai my witts end and now have a 6k lb brick in my driveway. And unfortunately we left Colorado or I'd be towing to @2001LC for a magic fix
Click to expand...
A local locksmith told me it is common that the cylinder (tumblers) need to be reconditioned, ie. cleaned and lubricated I think. $200-300 to do this as cylinder has to be removed.
 
I sprayed Caig Deoxit D5 into the cylinder followed by compressed air then more D5 then the key in and out a few times. I did multiple rounds of that. Haven’t had the issue again since but not positive it’s 100% fixed.
 
Sometimes, pins are damaged. Or the tumbler (housing/cylinder) they're in damaged. These we need to replace. I see these damaged. Where owner hangs tons of key and stuff on key chain. The extra weight, wears at pins/cylinder. Also, if lock cylinder, not keep clean and lubed. They'll wear out, prematurely.

The rod. Goes between tumble and steering wheel lock which IG SW is back end of rod also. This rod is broken. When we force IG key, with tension on steering lock.
 
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