Hi. I tried searching online for why a door lock breaks but couldn't find anything.
My key stopped unlocking my door. It won't turn. Is this caused by something inside the lock cylinder breaking, making me need to replace the lock cylinder? Or can I fix it by buying a rekeying kit and replacing the pins?

Thanks!

 

Does it not turn at all? Or just in one direction? If just one direction it can be caused by a binding return spring. https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...t-work-254772/

If it doesn't turn at all, you could have a broken cylinder or something as simple as a stuck disc. Either way, you'll need to remove the lock cylinder to either replace it, or have a locksmith clean it.

(This are disc locks, so they have discs, not pins. Same concept though. But if you managed to wear out a disc, replacing the disc alone would be a temporary fix.)

 

I checked it, and it did turn left. It required a little play though. But even to turn clockwise, I've had to pull the key out slightly and wiggle it a little to get it to work for a while. It stopped turning a while ago, so I forgot about that. The key is a little worn, but it works fine in the ignition, so I think it's probably just time to replace the lock cylinder.

Are the cheap ($45/pair) cylinders on ebay ok, or should I go with the more expensive ones from the dealer?

Thanks!

 

I had the same problem when I first got my 4runner last month.

Get some graphite lube into the lock and then play with turning the key. Turn it as far as you can a few times, lube some more, repeat. Eventually with just a little excessive pressure mine turned all the way. It would still tighten up when it rained for a couple weeks but I'd lube it each time and now it works fine.

I once took my tacoma to a locksmith when the lock on the fuel door was doing that. I was really embarrassed when he squirted some oil in and easily turned it.

 

I have a family of lock smiths down the road your cheaper if you have any local just put new discs in although they refer to them as pins also.

If you get new cylinders then you need them rekeyed to the ignition so just have your bad cylinder fixed .

2 or 2 different keys for one vehicle is a pain.