Dead Battery & Auxiliary key not working

[Gary LC]

NEW member - My 2011 model was allowed to go "dead" while I was out of the country for 6 months. Now my key fob will not work (already changed the Battery in it) and the auxiliary key will not unlock. I have a slow charge and jump start unit, but obviously need to access the 12V Battery to attempt a jump off. I live in the US. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[furtula]

Spray the key hole with some wd40, then try again later.

It should work fine, just needs a bit force. Some members even used pliers...

[Joseph D]

8 hours ago, furtula said:

Some members even used pliers...

... VERY GENTLY.  Some, in their enthusiasm, have broken the key off in the barrel.

Some gentle (rotational) rocking left and right to get the barrel started, and if that isn't happening, spray little more lubricant.  Personally, I prefer a silicone lubricant to get it freed then follow that with an annual spray of a dry lubricant and retest the mechanical key to exercise the barrel.

[furtula]

Point of using pliers is not to force anything, but just to get some actual grip.

Bow of the key is so tiny, and shaped in such way, that it's  hard and unconformable to use, even when the lock is operating just fine, like in my case.

[kithmo]

4 hours ago, furtula said:

Point of using pliers is not to force anything, but just to get some actual grip.

Bow of the key is so tiny, and shaped in such way, that it's  hard and unconformable to use, even when the lock is operating just fine, like in my case.

I would say that the key handle being so tiny protects it from being broken off in the lock. If it's hard to move by hand then it needs lubricating and working on, not forcing with pliers.

I've never used my physical key before in over 4 years of ownership and when I tried it just now, to see if it needed any lubrication, it turned quite easily without.

[QuantumFireball]

On 5/9/2020 at 7:00 PM, Gary LC said:

I have a slow charge and jump start unit, but obviously need to access the 12V battery to attempt a jump off. I live in the US. Any suggestions?

You don't need access to the Battery, jump start terminals are in the engine bay. Check the manual :)

[ian rooke]

Hi how do you get access to the engine bay if you cannot open the doors ?

[QuantumFireball]

The driver's door can be opened with the physical key as others have been discussing. Once that's open, it's much easier to open the bonnet than get to the boot (where the Battery is in gen 2/3).

[ian rooke]

Hi unfortunately the original poster has said he cannot open the door with the key 

[Catlover]

Seems the original poster has not been on the forum since 7:23pm Saturday, meaning he has only seen one post, and that was Furtula's who advised WD40 and maybe some force (pliers were mentioned).

Maybe the OPoster tried the WD40, it worked......and now has driven off into the sunset never more to be seen.

[kithmo]

2 hours ago, Catlover said:

Seems the original poster has not been on the forum since 7:23pm Saturday, meaning he has only seen one post, and that was Furtula's who advised WD40 and maybe some force (pliers were mentioned).

Maybe the OPoster tried the WD40, it worked......and now has driven off into the sunset never more to be seen.

Or he's broke his key in the lock and had it towed. 🙄

 

[Gary LC]

Greetings to all who responded to my need. The real story is that I just lost internet connectivity for a couple of days...back tracking...I was able to open the door sans WD 40 or silicone by using some small pliers  and then decided to go directly to the 12V in the trunk...once I got the "boot" open, I used a Battery charger and after some of that the control panel came back enough for me to boost start the car...being unable then to drive around to see if the 12v would recharge...I charged overnight, but the Battery did not accept the charging well enough to restart the next morning. Next stop is to restart and drive to a nearby dealership to thoroughly check everything after I have a escort in case we "die" on the way. Good news is that I have a full warranty (extended) in case this is anything more complicated that the  probable 12v replacement need.

I am sorry to have appeared as if I had "driven off into the sunset" and even more thankful I did not "break the key off" (although I thought of that as I used the pliers).BTW both Catlover and kithmo were very funny postings...and of course I appreciate  QuantumFireball, furtula ian fookie and JosephD for their insights and responses

 Cheers! GaryLC.

[Catlover]

Hi Gary, good to see you back!  Dont know whether you know, but the 12v Battery, being it is in the boot and susceptible to breaking ope and causing acid to fly everywhere (onto people in th cabin area) is a bit special in as much it is an AGM Battery, not you "normal" lead acid Battery. I not an expert on this, but from what I read recently on this forum (maybe iin the last 10 days) a standard battery charger is not effective on AGM batteries. So that maybe why you did not get a good charge into it. A new AGM from Toyota is about £120, which is very competative with others selling AGM batteries. Just a thought and maybe it worth you searching this forum for more help, suggest try searching AGM battery.. Joe

[Catlover]

Try this link, Gary, it may be the one I was thinking of....

 

[QuantumFireball]

14 hours ago, Catlover said:

I not an expert on this, but from what I read recently on this forum (maybe iin the last 10 days) a standard battery charger is not effective on AGM batteries.

Charging procedure for AGM batteries is slightly different to normal flooded cell batteries, so you may not get as good results. Some smart chargers have modes specifically for AGM, like the CTEK MXS 5.0 I got recently.

[kithmo]

15 hours ago, Catlover said:

Hi Gary, good to see you back!  Dont know whether you know, but the 12v battery, being it is in the boot and susceptible to breaking ope and causing acid to fly everywhere (onto people in th cabin area) is a bit special in as much it is an AGM battery, not you "normal" lead acid battery. I not an expert on this, but from what I read recently on this forum (maybe iin the last 10 days) a standard battery charger is not effective on AGM batteries. So that maybe why you did not get a good charge into it. A new AGM from Toyota is about £120, which is very competative with others selling AGM batteries. Just a thought and maybe it worth you searching this forum for more help, suggest try searching AGM battery.. Joe

The Ctek Battery charger/conditioner has an AGM setting.