Smartkey ignition issue
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 110
Likes: 1
From: AZ
Smartkey ignition issue
Well here we go: I've bragged non stop about my "new" 2004 LS430 ML and I think I am having an issue with starting the car. 
The smartkey doesnt always go into the ignition. I am pretty careful with my stuff and tonight I tried to jam the key in there with some above average force and no luck. Of course with every attempt the steering wheel is going up and down. It turns over just fine without the key. I use the key in the ignition usually just out of habit after driving non smartkey cars for 25 years.
Has anyone else seen this happen? Glad I bought the extended warranty...
hope its covered...
The smartkey doesnt always go into the ignition. I am pretty careful with my stuff and tonight I tried to jam the key in there with some above average force and no luck. Of course with every attempt the steering wheel is going up and down. It turns over just fine without the key. I use the key in the ignition usually just out of habit after driving non smartkey cars for 25 years.
Has anyone else seen this happen? Glad I bought the extended warranty...
hope its covered...
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 472
Likes: 23
From: Western Australia
I hope the body of the key isn't damaged.
Based on what you describe, a very similar thing happened to me. I thought there was a problem until I realised that sometimes the steering wheel lock gets activated!
Next time it gets stuck try putting the key in the ignition (or just turn it without the key in the ignition, but still in range of the smart key system) then using one hand, slightly attempt to turn the steering steering wheel a little bit. This alleviates the pressure on the ignition barrel and then the steering wheel will then unlock and allow you to turn the key and start the car.
This is what happened to me, so hopefully it's the same issue. Good luck.
Based on what you describe, a very similar thing happened to me. I thought there was a problem until I realised that sometimes the steering wheel lock gets activated!
Next time it gets stuck try putting the key in the ignition (or just turn it without the key in the ignition, but still in range of the smart key system) then using one hand, slightly attempt to turn the steering steering wheel a little bit. This alleviates the pressure on the ignition barrel and then the steering wheel will then unlock and allow you to turn the key and start the car.
This is what happened to me, so hopefully it's the same issue. Good luck.
Last edited by LEX ES300; Aug 7, 2012 at 03:13 AM.
CL Community Team
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,916
Likes: 227
From: Alabama
I have never used the key either. Can't think of any reason to use the key. The service guys have used the key a few times when its being serviced so I know it works. I am way too lazy to not use such a wonderful feature.
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 110
Likes: 1
From: AZ
Hey guys sorry for the delayed response and thanks for the feedback. The key still doesn't work but I forget about it as soon as I'm gliding down the road in the sweetest used car I've ever owned. We'll see if the warranty covers it on the next oil change. 
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 110
Likes: 1
From: AZ
got it figured out! 
so here's the deal...IF I open the car with the smartkey system i.e., placing my hand in the door handle, waiting half a second for the car to unlock the door for me; the key will NOT work in the ignition and to stay consistent with the way the car was opened, it wants me to just turn the ignition without the key...
IF I unlock the car with the unlock button on the key and get in then no problem the key goes in the ignition and turns over no problem!
Tested this back and forth and 99.99% confident that this is the way it works!
Now that I have the warm and fuzzy feeling again that nothing is broken I will probably be like you guys and just keep the key in my pocket
so here's the deal...IF I open the car with the smartkey system i.e., placing my hand in the door handle, waiting half a second for the car to unlock the door for me; the key will NOT work in the ignition and to stay consistent with the way the car was opened, it wants me to just turn the ignition without the key...
IF I unlock the car with the unlock button on the key and get in then no problem the key goes in the ignition and turns over no problem!
Tested this back and forth and 99.99% confident that this is the way it works!
Now that I have the warm and fuzzy feeling again that nothing is broken I will probably be like you guys and just keep the key in my pocket
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Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
..IF I open the car with the smartkey system i.e., placing my hand in the door handle, waiting half a second for the car to unlock the door for me; the key will NOT work in the ignition and to stay consistent with the way the car was opened, it wants me to just turn the ignition without the key...
IF I unlock the car with the unlock button on the key and get in then no problem the key goes in the ignition and turns over no problem!
Tested this back and forth and 99.99% confident that this is the way it works!
IF I unlock the car with the unlock button on the key and get in then no problem the key goes in the ignition and turns over no problem!
Tested this back and forth and 99.99% confident that this is the way it works!
CL Community Team
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,916
Likes: 227
From: Alabama
got it figured out!
so here's the deal...IF I open the car with the smartkey system i.e., placing my hand in the door handle, waiting half a second for the car to unlock the door for me; the key will NOT work in the ignition and to stay consistent with the way the car was opened, it wants me to just turn the ignition without the key...
IF I unlock the car with the unlock button on the key and get in then no problem the key goes in the ignition and turns over no problem!
Tested this back and forth and 99.99% confident that this is the way it works!
Now that I have the warm and fuzzy feeling again that nothing is broken I will probably be like you guys and just keep the key in my pocket
so here's the deal...IF I open the car with the smartkey system i.e., placing my hand in the door handle, waiting half a second for the car to unlock the door for me; the key will NOT work in the ignition and to stay consistent with the way the car was opened, it wants me to just turn the ignition without the key...
IF I unlock the car with the unlock button on the key and get in then no problem the key goes in the ignition and turns over no problem!
Tested this back and forth and 99.99% confident that this is the way it works!
Now that I have the warm and fuzzy feeling again that nothing is broken I will probably be like you guys and just keep the key in my pocket
The smartkey design and implementation in the LS430 is one of my favorite features on the LS - I love it. I really hate cars with a start button. A start button is a really bad, faddish idea that represents terrible ergonomic design and can be a genuine safety hazard under a variety of scenarios.
So the smart key concept with preservation of a multiple position ignition switch is perfect example of great technology implemented with smart ergonomic design.
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
The smartkey design and implementation in the LS430 is one of my favorite features on the LS - I love it. I really hate cars with a start button. A start button is a really bad, faddish idea that represents terrible ergonomic design and can be a genuine safety hazard under a variety of scenarios..
Even Lexus has become slaves to the push start.
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 110
Likes: 1
From: AZ
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
yanking them with all your might and being surprised why it's not opening.
Pole Position
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 237
Likes: 10
From: Florida
OK...so here's the deal. The smart key must be programmed to the smart access ecu and the steering lock ecu. if a dealership makes a duplicate key and forgets to program the key to the steering lock ECU, it will not work in the ignition. it happens all the time. the key should work in the ignition no matter how you unlock the car.
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 110
Likes: 1
From: AZ
OK...so here's the deal. The smart key must be programmed to the smart access ecu and the steering lock ecu. if a dealership makes a duplicate key and forgets to program the key to the steering lock ECU, it will not work in the ignition. it happens all the time. the key should work in the ignition no matter how you unlock the car.
No big deal but I jumped the gun with my post from the other night...