KeyFob Locked in Car
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Pit Crew
Joined: Sep 2017
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From: CA
KeyFob Locked in Car
My car only has one keyfob - I have a spare I purchased and need to get it programmed but in the meantime was wondering.... Is it possible to lock a keyfob in a car, or will the sensors on each door handle sense the keyfob inside and unlock when I try to unlock using the door handle?
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From: TX
I can't tell if you are asking if the wireless electronic key can be locked in the car accidently or if you are asking if it can be locked in the car intentionally. So, I'll give you both answers.
Yes, you can intentionally lock the wireless electronic key in the car, by using the other wireless electronic key, while it is outside the car, by pressing the lock button on it. No, you can not lock one of the wireless electronic keys in the car intentionally or accidently, by pressing the button on the door handle, whether or not you have the other wireless electronic key on your person. I believe the trunk has safeguards to prevent the accidental locking of the wireless electronic key in it, I am not sure if there is a way to intentionally lock a wireless electronic key in the trunk. An example of when it would be desirable to lock one of the wireless keys in the car: if you stop at a rest-stop and your wife wants to leave her purse, with key, in the car while she goes to the restroom and you want to lock the car while you go to the men's room.
Regarding your question as to whether the doors can be opened with the handles when the key is locked in the car, the answer is no.
It is possible to lock your electronic key in the car accidently. The most common cause of keys-locked-in-car - and we have had several reports in this forum - is related to defective doorjamb switches. Women are most vulnerable. An example of how this might happen: a woman goes to the car, with her wireless key in her purse and puts her purse on the back seat by unlocking the left rear door with the door handle. If she closes the door and doesn't open any other doors within 30 seconds of unlocking the doors and the doorjamb switch on that door is defective and fails to sense that the door has been opened, then the auto-relock feature will automatically relock all the doors, with the key in the purse, and/or with the baby or dog. Defective doorjamb switches seem to be not extremely rare on these cars. The doorjamb switches are easy to check, and you should check yours.
Yes, you can intentionally lock the wireless electronic key in the car, by using the other wireless electronic key, while it is outside the car, by pressing the lock button on it. No, you can not lock one of the wireless electronic keys in the car intentionally or accidently, by pressing the button on the door handle, whether or not you have the other wireless electronic key on your person. I believe the trunk has safeguards to prevent the accidental locking of the wireless electronic key in it, I am not sure if there is a way to intentionally lock a wireless electronic key in the trunk. An example of when it would be desirable to lock one of the wireless keys in the car: if you stop at a rest-stop and your wife wants to leave her purse, with key, in the car while she goes to the restroom and you want to lock the car while you go to the men's room.
Regarding your question as to whether the doors can be opened with the handles when the key is locked in the car, the answer is no.
It is possible to lock your electronic key in the car accidently. The most common cause of keys-locked-in-car - and we have had several reports in this forum - is related to defective doorjamb switches. Women are most vulnerable. An example of how this might happen: a woman goes to the car, with her wireless key in her purse and puts her purse on the back seat by unlocking the left rear door with the door handle. If she closes the door and doesn't open any other doors within 30 seconds of unlocking the doors and the doorjamb switch on that door is defective and fails to sense that the door has been opened, then the auto-relock feature will automatically relock all the doors, with the key in the purse, and/or with the baby or dog. Defective doorjamb switches seem to be not extremely rare on these cars. The doorjamb switches are easy to check, and you should check yours.
Last edited by jmcraney; Jan 10, 2018 at 11:37 AM.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2021
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From: Illinois
So it may not be something that’s supposed to happen, but it DEFINITELY can!
I’m sitting outside of my 2007 LEXUS LS460 And I’m locked out, with the keys sitting right there where I can see them on the passenger seat. I’m waiting on y wife to bring the second key fob to me now. Crazy thing is. I’m not sure how it even locked. I anyways lock the doors with the key fob, so I know that I don’t hit the lock. Even still, it’s not supposed to happen. Shouldn’t the locks sense the fob when I touch the handle? Yes, but they don’t!
Instructor
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From: Florida
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From: TX
I’m sitting outside of my 2007 LEXUS LS460 And I’m locked out, with the keys sitting right there where I can see them on the passenger seat. I’m waiting on y wife to bring the second key fob to me now. Crazy thing is. I’m not sure how it even locked. I anyways lock the doors with the key fob, so I know that I don’t hit the lock. Even still, it’s not supposed to happen. Shouldn’t the locks sense the fob when I touch the handle? Yes, but they don’t!
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