On my 96 with manual locks the driver door lock has always been a little difficult. If you try to unlock the door the lock won't turn but if you turn the key slightly in the opposite direction before trying to unlock it works every time. Now this all works with my super worn out spare key. My mechanic suggested I go to the dealer and get a new key cut from my VIN number to replace the super worn out one.


With the new, dealer cut key, I cannot unlock the driver door no matter how much I twist, wiggle, and shimmy the key. It unlocks the passenger door and the ignition perfectly.


Any suggestions?

 

My 96 runner has had the same issues. Just one day the lock won't turn type of thing. I've taken it out twice for a locksmith to fix and he's done a good job both times but keeps telling me it won't last forever. I'd say use the key that works until it doesn't. Then pull the lock and see if it can be fixed or possibly by a new lock for that door and have two keys. Rekeying everything will be expensive.

 

With my 96, I never got the original key just a BS one made up from Home Depot. Since day one it was always kinda weird getting the key in the ignition then one day it would not turn over couldn't get the key to rotate, the doors worked fine but would not turn over the ignition. Ended up having to get it towed to toyota dealer. They had to un jam the jocks and ignition and cut new keys for me. Not cheap at the stealer-ship, Ever since that I haven't had any issues though!

 

hmmm I don't really have any money to spend on it, I was hoping there was some adjustment or maintenance procedure I could do on my own

 

You people do lubricate your locks??

I do all mine like every other oil change.

Why if you got a new door lock cylinder would you rekey all the other locks to that one.

easier to just rekey the new cylinder to the rest.

Funny thing when my Locksmith rekeys a old lock cylinder all the internal parts are new interesting!!

 

Mine's getting the same way. I'm just going to swap the drivers door one with the passenger door's.

 

Both my '94 and my '98 had the same issue. I figured it was just a Toyota-ism

 

Huh, never thought of that. Might be something to try when the weather warms up



It's nice to know I'm not alone in this issue