I have an 03 Toyota 4Runner. We have a keyless entry security system. This problem started today. Every time you put the key in the ignition and manually turn it to start, nothing happens - complete silence. When I take the key out and click the autostart buttons on my keyless entry remote on my keychain, it starts up no problem.

This happened after my husband backed into a steel pole that protects a gas pump. It was not high speed or anything - about 2mph bump that left a small tiny ding above the tow hitch. I'm not sure if that's related, but the truck started using the key before that happened, but not after. So I'm not sure if this is a security thing on it because of the "accident."

Any help is appreciated.

P.S. - we have not yet tried to disconnect the battery, but that's one thing we thought might work, please let me know.

 

It sounds like the aftermarket security system you have installed is not allowing the truck to be started with the ignition, just like it would do if somebody tried to start the truck without first disengaging the alarm. When you are trying to start the truck, you have disabled the alarm correct? Usually using the "unlock" function on the FOB is enough but a lot of aftermarket alarm systems (like mine) also have a little switch under the footwell that can be switched off to completely disable the system.

When I replaced my battery (unaware that my truck even had an alarm system at the time, it came with no FOB), I went to open the door and start the truck afterwards and it started going crazy. Horn was going off, and I could not start the truck with the ignition key. I finally found that little disable switch under the driver footwell that allowed me to start the truck when it was set to the off position.

As for a more permanent fix, I would start out by checking all the fuses that lead to the alarm system and make sure everything looks good. Also if disconnecting the battery and resetting the system doesn't help, disconnecting the alarm all together and see if the truck will start with the key. If it does not, obviously its not an issue with the alarm but an issue with the ignition.

Hope that helps.

 

Thanks so much. What we did is hit unlock and lock a few times, then it started with the key. So I guess when it was unlocked it was still thinking it was locked. Thanks for your help, if this keeps happening we may have to check into those other possibilities. We drove around a bit today and it hasn't happened again.

Thanks again!

 

No problem, definitely sounds like the system just wasn't disengaging when you unlocked it. Glad you fixed it!