Smart Key
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 379
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Smart Key
I have read other post about problems turning smart key. I picked up a 2004 430 sport about 3 weeks ago and 2 times i have been out and key would not turn. Scared the hell out of me. First time was at a restaurant on a sunday night . Did not know what i could even do. Played with the switch for 10 min. then it turned. What a relief. 2nd time at a gas station. About 5 min. Embarrassing cars waiting behind me while i am not moving. Do not want to go to lexus .[Just venting]. This is my 6th lexus
1-1995 400
1-1998 400
2-2001 430
1-2003 430ul
1-2004 430. Only one with a problem Key and Passenger door lock
1-1995 400
1-1998 400
2-2001 430
1-2003 430ul
1-2004 430. Only one with a problem Key and Passenger door lock
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 379
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Smart key
I have read other post about problems turning smart key. I picked up a 2004 430 sport about 3 weeks ago and 2 times i have been out and key would not turn. Scared the hell out of me. First time was at a restaurant on a sunday night . Did not know what i could even do. Played with the switch for 10 min. then it turned. What a relief. 2nd time at a gas station. About 5 min. Embarrassing cars waiting behind me while i am not moving. Do not want to go to lexus .[Just venting]. This is my 6th lexus
1-1995 400
1-1998 400
2-2001 430
1-2003 430ul
1-2004 430. Only one with a problem Key and Passenger door lock
1-1995 400
1-1998 400
2-2001 430
1-2003 430ul
1-2004 430. Only one with a problem Key and Passenger door lock
Love my lexus
CL Community Team
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,916
Likes: 227
From: Alabama
My car has been doing this since it was just a couple of years old. Anytime I had the dealer look at while it was under CPO, they could not reproduce it. I have had the switch appear to lock up intermittently many times but by now I am so used to it and how to overcome the sticking key I no longer notice it. If the ignition key switch "sticks" I make sure my foot is on the brake and I move the steering wheel slightly to the right or left while applying very light clockwise pressure to turn the ignition switch. Usually just moving the wheel half an inch to the left or right takes pressure off the locking pawl in the ignition/wheel interface to allow the ignition switch to turn (making sure foot is lightly on the brake pedal).
Last edited by Jabberwock; Nov 1, 2015 at 07:53 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 379
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Trending Topics
Before parking the car, with your foot on the brakes, put the gear in "N-Neutral" while still having your foot on the brakes. Now push the "parking brake" all the way in, then engage gear in "P-park".
This will help you a lot with this specific problem. The steering locks when the car ins't evenly distributing the full weight around the whole chassis of the car - to the wheels - to the ground.
By pushing the parking brake first when you're in N gear, the parking brake will try to hold the weight and organize it so that your transmission isn't bearing all of the weight (recipe of a malfunctioning trans if you always leave the transmission to carry the weight of the car while parked).
When the parking brake is initialized, there won't be much tension forced to the front wheels or the front part of the car. Therefore no tension primarily on the front portion of the car and no tension on the steering assembly, leaving you to not having to encounter the "being stuck" situation.
And also a good way of maintaining a healthy car.
This will help you a lot with this specific problem. The steering locks when the car ins't evenly distributing the full weight around the whole chassis of the car - to the wheels - to the ground.
By pushing the parking brake first when you're in N gear, the parking brake will try to hold the weight and organize it so that your transmission isn't bearing all of the weight (recipe of a malfunctioning trans if you always leave the transmission to carry the weight of the car while parked).
When the parking brake is initialized, there won't be much tension forced to the front wheels or the front part of the car. Therefore no tension primarily on the front portion of the car and no tension on the steering assembly, leaving you to not having to encounter the "being stuck" situation.
And also a good way of maintaining a healthy car.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 379
Likes: 6
From: Florida
UPDATE. It has happened 3 more times. All i did was move the steering wheel ever so slightly and it works every time. The steering wheel locking pin sticks in the steering column to tight. So moving the wheel loosens it so it slides easy. Very Poor design Pin to big or hole to small. Hopes this helps some.
Pole Position
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 264
Likes: 7
From: Poulsbo, WA
UPDATE. It has happened 3 more times. All i did was move the steering wheel ever so slightly and it works every time. The steering wheel locking pin sticks in the steering column to tight. So moving the wheel loosens it so it slides easy. Very Poor design Pin to big or hole to small. Hopes this helps some.
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