Hey gang,

I know all about programming newly cut keys, etc. What about original keys that won't open doors. The key works in the ignition. I just bought the car, and replaced the battery in the key. The key light goes on, but nothing happens with the door locks. On my 90 LS400, there was an on/off switch for this and I would accidentally hit occasionally. But I don't see one on my 2000 RX300. Any ideas? Do I have to do some reprogramming here?

Thanks guys.

 

You didn't say, but I'm assuming that you have only one master key (the cars originally came with two). If this is the case, you'll need to read up in the archives regarding your likely alternatives. I don't think there is any hidden switch or anything like that. As I recall, you can go the dealer route, send off the in-car computer to somebody who will reprogram it and provide two keys that match, and maybe some other alternatives.

 

Hi teddyshoe-
Does your inside lock switch work? If it doesn't, try disconnecting the battery for a few minutes and let it reset the computer. I'm not sure this will do it but it's easy to do and just might work. If your inside door lock switch doesn't work it may be the brain. Next step is to take one of the door panels off and jump juice directly to the lock motor to see if that works. If not, you have bad motors- unlikely all 4 but my daughter- in- laws had 3 bad motors.
Post back with these answers and I'll see if I can help you some more from there. Roger

 

Welcome to CL, Ted!

First of all, I'd take the car back to where you bought it and let them solve the problem. If that fails, there a few things you might try:

If your key shows that little red LED when you push a remote button, it's pretty sure to be transmitting a signal. If you can unlock the doors from the button on the driver's door, your lock motors are OK. There is no on-off switch on the remote, so I would begin to suspect your receiver either isn't working, or is ignoring your lock code. This will have to be diagnosed by a dealer's service department because Lexus is pretty cagey about publishing information on these codes - for obvious reasons.

I kinda like Roger's suggestion above - before you go the dealer route, pull the negative battery cable for a few minutes and reconnect. It doesn't fix everything, but sometimes rebooting the system solves some mysterious problems that can't otherwise be explained.

Finally, you might go down to your local Autozone, or other franchise parts store and have them do a (free) load test of your battery. First it's a good idea to know where your battery stands in its life cycle, but underperforming batteries on their last legs, while they will spin up the starter quite well, have been known, because of low voltage, to set off a whole tribe of gremlins. I always recommend a good battery check as the first step to anything involving the electronics on a Lexus - if the car has an Achilles' heel, that's it. Fortunately, 99% of the time none of the problems it engenders are serious . . . I just consider them an early warning system for your battery's replacement.

Good luck and keep us informed of your results!

 

Hey guys,

Thanks a lot for all the great suggestions. I just got home so haven't tried the battery disconnect yet, but I will give it a try. Yes, the inside door lock switch does work. Everything seems fine with the locks except for the key fob not doing anything. I'm going to go out right now, (it's 0 degrees F here right now, but hey, it's my Lexus), and I will let you guys know what happens.

Thanks again.

 

You can try to reset the rolling code. If the remote is out-of-range from the vehicle, the code may not work. To fix this condition, stand near the vehicle and depress both the lock and unloack button at the same time and hold them down until the car beeps. This will synch the remote to the vehicle.

 

Hi Lil4X-
Sorry I missed testing the battery to make sure it TESTS what it's rated at, which also means load testing. You are so right, just because a battery STARTS a car fine does NOT mean electronics will work properly. It is one of the 1st things that should be checked. Roger

 

Now THAT is a dedicated Lexus enthusiast! If we don't hear from you in a few hours Ted, we'll come looking for you with an icepick and a cask of brandy. . .

We may have found your problem. Can radio waves actually freeze and hang suspended in the air at temperatures like that?

 

Call off the search party, I am alive, though a bit blue. Tried disconnecting the battery, no change and holding both buttons on the key. Nothing. Just tired to call the local Lexus service dept to ask their opinion, but got hung up on because I guess they had more important people to talk to. Will do the load test on the battery soon. In the meantime, I will keep looking for suggestions.

Thanks a lot guys. You're great.