Can't turn key!! HELP!!!
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1
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From: Massachusetts
Can't turn key!! HELP!!!
I have a 1999 RX300. Earlier in the day my kids were listining to the radio in the car. I got in the car and inserted the key but it resuses to turn. The blue LCD turn on, but no of the displays turn on. None of the Lock or unlock buttons on the key or in the car work. It feels as tho the ignition is locked or something. Anyone have any ideas? Could this be part of the theft system? HELP I'm stranded!
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,754
Likes: 6
From: Colorado
Re: Can't turn key!! HELP!!!
Originally posted by 99RX300AWD
I have a 1999 RX300. Earlier in the day my kids were listining to the radio in the car. I got in the car and inserted the key but it resuses to turn. The blue LCD turn on, but no of the displays turn on. None of the Lock or unlock buttons on the key or in the car work. It feels as tho the ignition is locked or something. Anyone have any ideas? Could this be part of the theft system? HELP I'm stranded!
I have a 1999 RX300. Earlier in the day my kids were listining to the radio in the car. I got in the car and inserted the key but it resuses to turn. The blue LCD turn on, but no of the displays turn on. None of the Lock or unlock buttons on the key or in the car work. It feels as tho the ignition is locked or something. Anyone have any ideas? Could this be part of the theft system? HELP I'm stranded!
Another possibility is the battery is very low on juice.
Driver
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 173
Likes: 2
From: California
Hmmm, it could be that your car battery is now dead or at the end of its life now. Just get a new one. Oh yea and when you replace your "car" battery. I suggest that you should replace your "Key Remote" battery also.
Good Luck
- Robert
Good Luck
- Robert
Last edited by rl9905; Oct 17, 2004 at 12:46 AM.
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,851
Likes: 4
From: Arkansas
As mentioned above, try turning the wheel (and holding it); if the wheel is slightly turned when the car was last put in "Park", it may recoil slightly against the steering lock, enough so that the key can't be turned. If there is NO play in the wheel in one direction, that's almost certainly what has happened. Pull the wheel in the opposite direction and hold it (otherwise, it recoils right back to the original position); try key whilst holding wheel.
One other think, tho: we, too, had a 99AWD which would very intermittently lock the key in place. Happened to me on two occasions, so I am certain it was not just "female nut loose behind the wheel" at fault. Lexus replaced the ignition cylinder lock (and all the keys) and we had no more problems. Have not heard of this any other time, however, so I don't think it's a problem common to early RXs.
One other think, tho: we, too, had a 99AWD which would very intermittently lock the key in place. Happened to me on two occasions, so I am certain it was not just "female nut loose behind the wheel" at fault. Lexus replaced the ignition cylinder lock (and all the keys) and we had no more problems. Have not heard of this any other time, however, so I don't think it's a problem common to early RXs.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,851
Likes: 4
From: Arkansas
them fighting words when taken out of context.
There is no turth to the stereotypic statement that women can't drive (except for the ones that drive into fresh concrete, drive off with gas pump nozzle/hose still attached, misapply pedals, put on makeup while driving the interstates, etc etc).
Last edited by mooretorque; Oct 20, 2004 at 08:30 AM.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Washington
Same thing happened to my '99. The key refused to turn the switch....it was like the switch was jammed. Had to have the RX towed to the dealer. They replaced the switch and had to give me all new keys. They said it was going to be $1100...........but offered me a one time goodwill and fixed it for free.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,283
Likes: 63
From: FL
Here is a nice graphic showing how these cylinder locks work. If a pin gets stuck or a spring breaks it is easy to see why the lock won't turn.
http://home.howstuffworks.com/lock.htm
http://home.howstuffworks.com/lock.htm
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 573
Likes: 5
From: Vaughan, Canada
Re: Re: Can't turn key!! HELP!!!
Originally posted by HarrierAWD
Try two things: 1) Make sure the shifter is in Park, 2) Turn the steering wheel left and right a few times. Your kids might have played with those.
Another possibility is the battery is very low.
Try two things: 1) Make sure the shifter is in Park, 2) Turn the steering wheel left and right a few times. Your kids might have played with those.
Another possibility is the battery is very low.
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