b2884987

Why did Lexus only made one keyhole for its new cars? My old Lexus has THREE keyholes, one on the driver's door, one on the passenger door, and one on the rear tailgate. What if the car battery is dead and the keyhole to open the car manually doesn't work? What happens if the key cylinder or the door actuator broke? How else can you get in?

Because that's what happened to me right now. My car battery is dead and the only keyhole to open the car door doesn't work. How else can I get into the car without breaking the glass? Another reason why I hate things going electronic. Electronic shifter like on the Land Rover/Jaguar cars? Electronic ebrakes like on Mercedes and even on cars like the Camaro? Ugh.

Does anyone know how I can get in my car to open the hood to change the dead battery? I am frustrated...

LeX2K

What's wrong with the lock? Maybe give it a spray of penetrating oil?

b2884987

The physical key doesn't open the car door, even if I turn it left or right. I'm the second owner of the car. I think the car door actuator has been changed by the first owner, and the tech probably forgot to link the lock back to the cylinder. Inserting the key into the keyhole feels smooth and buttery, I don't think a spray of penetrating oil will work. I don't feel any resistance when twisting the key left or right.

Toys4RJill

Are you the first owner? Maybe the key fob was not the original. So the key may not work.

jimbosr1

The simple answer is price and profit.

Johnhav430

The reality, imho, is a physical key is used less often than a spare tire, which is also gone in many vehicles. So I could see mfgs leaving them off.

In the last 21 years, I've used a key once on a door. On the LS430 when the coin cell in the fob died. It actually was not cool, because the fob was broken where the key would not stay extended, and it was pouring rain, leaving a hockey game. But I lived lol It wasn't the fob not working, but the fact that I couldn't keep the key extended to turn the lock. Luckily another fan had a paper clip that I could use (I subsequently bought someone's never used LS430 valet fob on eBay for $14, took the end door off of it, and put it on mine) The next time this happens the key can stay extended.

geko29

Some cars have a keyhole underneath the trim on the passenger door handle--don't know if yours is among these. you just carefully pry it off and then use the key as normal.

JDR76

I read a report several years back, when the manufacturers started deleting the passenger side keyhole, that most auto break-ins occur on the passenger side, so it was an attempt to make that harder. There may be some truth to that, I suppose, but overall I think it was just deemed unnecessary and and easy thing to delete and save some money on an item that most won't care about.

My GS has one on the driver's door, and one on the trunk lid. I'd have to check my Highlander. I know there isn't one on the passenger door. Not sure about the rear hatch.

Johnhav430

I once asked some state troopers at work because I know they worked grand theft, "Any truth to the VINs being hidden in places on vehicles, where only LE knows?" They all burst out laughing and asked me what episode of Law and Order did I see that on. I thought **** Wolf was the real deal?

sm1ke

iTrader: (5)

I think you'll have to break into the car. To avoid breaking the glass, I'd try contacting a locksmith to see if they have the means to get into the vehicle with minimal damage.

RX469

iTrader: (1)

An auto locksmith can get into your car with no damage or glass breakage.

Johnhav430

I think or rather I know they are not the same. The key/keyhole and linkage are one thing. Adding power locks i.e., actuator, is a second thing. I purchased my LS430 with a broken door actuator (didn't know until I drove off). I used the key until 2 wks later when the selling dealership repaired it. They gave me two fobs, both of which had working keys. I broke the key door myself replacing the battery, because who has time to read the manual on how to get the door off properly?

edit: If this is a 4 door vehicle, there are 3 other doors that can be opened, regardless of keyhole or not, by a locksmith who can access the mechanisms, since all 4 doors can be locked or unlocked (if a coupe then there is one other door).

As you say, when in doubt call someone who will not break the mechanism. If there were a regular **** like on GM cars then AAA could open it in < 5 sec. They have a tool that has a noose that can grab the ****, and they have wedges that can create a gap small enough to lower the noose. But my Lexus and BMW do not have ***** that can be grabbed in that fashion, so I assume all Lexus do not.

So this jogged my memory, there was a 2nd time (or period) where I did use the key on a car, over the last 21 years.

AJLex19

What year/model Lexus do you have? Maybe the lock mechanism is broken, the lock was somehow disassociated with your existing key or it just seized from lack of use. Locksmith is your best best at this point.

I also wonder if Lexus dealers have some kind of "Master" key that can open the car somehow...

tex2670

Automakers have been deleting the passenger-side lock since the days that most cars started coming with a fob (even with a physical key). I'm pretty sure my 2000 Acura TL had no passenger side lock, and there was definitely no trunk lock.

I know my '07 IS had a trunk lock though. Can't remember passenger side (access to the physical keyhole was under a pop-off cover).

Lesson for all of us--test your physical key every once in a while.

bagwell

appears the OP's vehicle is a 3rd generation RX.