LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000) Discussion topics related to the 1990 - 2000 Lexus LS400

Key stuck in Drivers Door & Cylinder Frozen

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Old 10-14-09, 11:10 PM
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damon
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Default Key stuck in Drivers Door & Cylinder Frozen

We have 3 LS models.
The eldest 90 LS now has this problem. The key went in the door cylinder but will not turn or actuate the lock. To top that it also cannot be removed!!

Would like an option that did not require 2 different keys for future use. Car is being driven but requires you to unlock from the passenger side & you also get some mighty odd looks in the parking lot.
Old 10-15-09, 12:58 AM
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a ton of graphite powder?
Old 10-15-09, 06:24 AM
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damon
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Locksmith tried that!! Keep in mind I also need a repair solution.
Old 10-16-09, 11:59 AM
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7schulz
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WD40 would be my first thought
Old 10-16-09, 01:21 PM
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Originally Posted by 7schulz
WD40 would be my first thought
you want to put WD40 into a LOCK that has electrical connections in it
Old 10-17-09, 10:34 AM
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i have the same problem
Old 10-19-09, 01:19 AM
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Twix
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WD40 is a conductor, so I doesn't matter if it has electrical connections, doe it is not going to work...
Old 10-19-09, 10:23 AM
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Aenin
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A good locksmith ought to be able to take care of this. It's just that many of them can only open locks and make keys. You want one that knows how to fix locks.

I had the key get stuck in my door, halfway between the lock and unlock points. I called several places to find a locksmith who said that he could handle it, since the first few said that they couldn't help.

The guy that did it removed all the panels on the door and took out the lock. He then took it back to his van and worked for a while to remove the key from the lock. Once that was done, he showed me the condition of the key and lock and explained that it seized due to normal wear.

He said that the locks really ought to be completely replaced, but he replaced the pins in the lock for me and made a new key. The new key worked far better than the original key had been working in all of the locks. He also made certain comments about the lock quality which, though interesting, remain unprintable.

It cost me about $350 in total, but it would have cost half of that if I'd contacted him directly instead of finding him through a contracting company. You might be able to get a deal if you remove the lock yourself and take it in. I was in a high-traffic parking lot when it occurred, so I didn't have that luxury.

Needless to say, I took his card.
Old 10-20-09, 12:36 PM
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damon
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Bought a cylinder at Sewell.
Somebody more helpful at the counter than my last visit directed me to a Locksmith that can re-key the lock allowing this to still be a single key vehicle.

Bee's Locksmith charged $27.00 for this service.
Bee's Keys. (214) 351-3942.
7711 Inwood Rd Dallas

Now I need an installer.
Used a close by Paint & Body shop. Cost $30.00

Total cost came out to $160.00

Last edited by damon; 10-21-09 at 11:59 AM.
Old 10-29-09, 10:59 AM
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damon
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Have to laugh about this in retrospect. I am pulling on this key for all I am worth with vice-grips under the supervision of my neighborhood locksmith & with the exception of one helpful post the advice I got here was that it was an ineadequate lubrication issue.

This was more like the sword in the stone!!
Old 10-29-09, 11:45 AM
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so what was the problem with the lock
Old 12-09-10, 04:18 PM
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I Had kinda this problem, except I was able to remove the key and the tumbler stayed halfway in between the open and closed points. After I finally got bored with unlocking the car from the passengers side door, I took it to my shop I use and they told me the door handle mechanism had finally given out and needed to be replaced.

List they gave me for a new already color matched painted door handle/mechanism 410.00 Installed.

Any thoughts or ideas on this?
Old 12-09-10, 05:19 PM
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RA40
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The key cylinder is a replaceable part alone. If that is the problem, this is a dealer item unless a locksmith can refurb the old one. Did they indicate what was wrong with the handle mechanism that they want to replace the whole unit?
Old 12-09-10, 05:31 PM
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hobojoe
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From what I understood there is a linkage between the outside door handle and the keyswitch that has broken.
Old 07-23-14, 06:03 PM
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phantom007
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same, key stuck between open and up, ended up being a spring had slipped its anchor point and jammed the cylinder, easy to put back in place, had to remove cylinder to access.
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