Key won't turn after using wrong key
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 74
Likes: 2
From: NJ
Key won't turn after using wrong key
My wife tried to start the is300 with the key from our GX470. She realized the mistake, and got the is300 key. Now the key won't turn. I tried to:
But nothing works, the key won't turn. Any recommendations on what to do next?
- Lock/unlock the car using the key fob
- Disconnected the battery and reconnect it after ~5 minutes
But nothing works, the key won't turn. Any recommendations on what to do next?
Last edited by mansito; Apr 15, 2012 at 02:22 PM.
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: vancouver, bc, canada
take some WD40 and use the straw to spray a bit into the ignition cylinder. do not drench it. just lubricate it a bit. then take the IS300 key and repeatedly try it without using much force. one of the wafers has just jammed and hopefully the lube will free it up...
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 74
Likes: 2
From: NJ
Lexus said I need to tow the car to the dealer. That sucks.
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 74
Likes: 2
From: NJ
The root cause was the tumblers were jammed. I gave it a few blast of compressed using my air compressor. Then I used a nail setter and a hammer to tap the key lock. These two steps freed the lock, and I was able to start the car.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: iowa
same thing happen to me, first i sprayed wd40 in the ignition and then taped around the ignition with a flat head screw driver with a hammer, light taps. Like what Mansito said ^^^^^^^ it was jammed and needs to be loosen in order to turn over. I also had the key in it and then turn and hit around the ignition.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: OH
Same thing JUST happened to me. I don't know where the other Lexus key came from but when I put the correct key in, it would not turn. Compressed air from a can, wd40, and tapping around the keyhole finally worked.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: CA
ignition key won't turn after wrong key was insterted
Thank you! I tried the lock\unlock the doors after trying the compressed air with WD and tapping. Then I went back to the tapping but gave it a couple of good wacks with the end of a rubber coated screw driver and it worked. I wasn't looking forward to having the car towed to a Lexus dealer. I joined Club Lexus just so I could post to this forum and report that it worked.
My son was being impatient for us to move the car and he grabbed the wrong set of keys. I wasn't real happy thinking his impatience might cost me, I'm guessing around $500.
My son was being impatient for us to move the car and he grabbed the wrong set of keys. I wasn't real happy thinking his impatience might cost me, I'm guessing around $500.
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jul 2016
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From: Alabama
Ignition key would not turn.
Thanks for all the help. I too accidentally put the ignition key from my 2002 SC430 into the ignition of my 2008 SC430....then when I realized it was the wrong key, I switched to the correct key and it would not turn. tried the lock/unlock 3 times scenario with the door lock and it worked perfectly in the door, but still the key would not work in the ignition. Finally tried a little WD40 and it did the trick.
Anything CAN be fixed with WD40 or Duct Tape or a combination of the two.
Anything CAN be fixed with WD40 or Duct Tape or a combination of the two.
Pit Crew
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 190
Likes: 13
From: Tx
This may sound kinda dumb
But have you tried moving the gear selector from P left to right?
Mines got stuck once but it was because the safety lock was not allowing me to start the car since it wasn't in P but just a little to the right. Hope this helps
But have you tried moving the gear selector from P left to right?
Mines got stuck once but it was because the safety lock was not allowing me to start the car since it wasn't in P but just a little to the right. Hope this helps
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Key won't turn after using wrong key
I've done this several times having three different lexus models. The simple fix is to us a blunt instrument like a 3/8 extension from a socket set and use it to tap on the top of the ignition switch, only on the metal part. You'll need to use a hammer to make a light tap. You don't have to hit it very hard to free up the lock tumblers. After a few taps check to see if your correct key will work again. Just be careful not to overhit and cause damage to the switch. This has worked every time for me.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: california
Sign up to thank you. That worked perfectly After using a 3/8 socket
Thanks it worked
I've done this several times having three different lexus models. The simple fix is to us a blunt instrument like a 3/8 extension from a socket set and use it to tap on the top of the ignition switch, only on the metal part. You'll need to use a hammer to make a light tap. You don't have to hit it very hard to free up the lock tumblers. After a few taps check to see if your correct key will work again. Just be careful not to overhit and cause damage to the switch. This has worked every time for me.
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