Has the door lock cylinder been replaced?

 

 

MX73 is right, also try using them to lock/unlock the glove box. If you have not owned it since
new you might review a CarFax and/or AutoCheck report to see if there was damage to
the driver's side, that or a theft attempt may have lead to the replacement of the lock cylinder.
Solution is to have a locksmith "rekey" the cylinder, shouldn't require a dealer because unlike
the fob the mechanical key does not get "programmed".

 

I would grab a bottle of wd40 with a spray nozzle tip and shove into the key hole and spray it down. Then with the key push it in and out several times. You may just have a frozen tumbler and just needs to be loosened up.

 

 

Are you saying that the key rotates with out any tension at all? It's possible that the rod off the back of the lock cylinder has come off. If the key turns, but doesn't actually unlock the door, the problem is not the key it's inside the door.

 

I am having exactly same challenge on ES350 2008 and I dont want locksmith to force through things with extra damages to the car....I inserted my key for the first and it entered well but would not turn at all whether right or left...What could be the reason...can I get another key from dealer that can open the car with my VIN? Appreciate your advice here...thanks

 

If you dont have the metal tag that came with the key then you should be able to get the dealership to cut you a new key from the VIN. I would call first to see what proof of ownership they might require before going especially if you haven't had it serviced at a dealer during your ownership.

 

You might be correct for my issue. The key unlocks the trunk and glovebox.
The key turns in the driver door only when it is inserted properly. When it turns, it doesn’t do anything. That sounds like the cylinder rod is not connected.

 

same problem on my 01 RX, key will turn I can see lock trying to open drivers door but lock will not open all the way . strange thing is that if I open passenger door with key the drivers door lock will open electronically like butter. I found that if I held the drivers door key all the way to open position and at the same time pulled the door handle the door opened. figure that out! BTW I did spray the drivers lock with wd-40 last night gonna let it sit for a few days before i take off panel and see whats up

 

In such cases, you think of hiring emergency locksmith near but in real prefer taking help from dealership for not having much damage to your car.

 

Could you please throw more light on how to open the trunk manually?
I have ES 350 2008 and the manual key won't open the door.
How can I open the trunk? Maybe I can gain access to the door from there.
Hope to get your reply.
Thanks.

 

I found the original problem to my lock. The lock cylinder on the door handle has a 1 1/2" rod protruding out of it with a head that looks like a male + Phillips head screw driver. It is supposed to fit into a female socket that receives this rod. A previous mechnic did not install the lock cylinder properly, so mine was hanging down rather than going into the socket. At the side of the door, there is a rubber cap that can be removed to unscrew the lock cylinder. I unscrew this, and poped out the lock cylinder. Slide it back in properly and now my door lock works.

I actually ended up getting locked out of my car 3 weeks ago. My trunk opened by turning the manual key in the lock. However, in the 3rd Gen GS, the pass through panel through the back seat cannot be opened from the trunk.
I opened my remote and reinserted my battery and the remote worked instantaneously to open my door lock. I put a new battery in and it works fine now. After that incident, I made sure I fixed the door lock, so that I wont get locked out again.

For yours, try a new battery in the remote to see if you can get the doors to open. Look up under the license plate area where the license plate light is to find the key hole for the trunk. It is normally hidden.

 

Thank you so much for responding.
I will do as you advised.