PSA: Check That Your Mechanical Key Works!

[moonlanderadventures]

I've shared this problem with my truck on forum comments before, but just wanted to share my experience with you all for visual reference. The issue is I can always lock the door electronically or by pressing the physical lock button on the door, but if the door is not shut just right (I assume aligned perfectly) the mechanical key will fail to unlock the door. This becomes a problem if your starter battery is so dead it won't even acknowledge unlock request from key fob. The only way to get in without calling a locksmith or jimmy'ing the door open yourself with a pry kit/tool is the physical key, but if the physical key fails you, you are out of luck. And by works I mean, the last time you shut the truck door, not you verified it last week and it was working. We all take the electronic door locking mechanism for granted and just assume the physical key will always work.

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[gb7FRz26]

When it actually locked AND unlocked after it refused to acknowledge you multiple times, it reminded me of Back to the Future II where only Biff knew how to start his '46 Ford.
Thanks for the warning. That's a weird one.

 

[MPBFord]

I wonder if you couldn't "bump" the door closed the extra little bit that maybe it needs?

It reminds me of the ignition lock on my Tundra... If I'd backed into a space and the steering wheel wasn't dead center, sometimes the steering wheel would have a little pressure one way or another and bind up against whatever lock. The end result is that next time I'd go to try turning the key in the ignition, it wouldn't turn unless I moved the wheel slightly to unbind it.

Not a huge deal, just weird tolerances on things. So if I were to guess, maybe the door wasn't quite closed enough to the point that something is binding and keeping that key from turning freely.

Maybe even just trying to turn the key while pushing the door in slightly would free it up to move?

Very interesting though, and something to keep in mind if it ever does happen.

 

[moonlanderadventures]

When it actually locked AND unlocked after it refused to acknowledge you multiple times, it reminded me of Back to the Future II where only Biff knew how to start his '46 Ford.
Thanks for the warning. That's a weird one.

Right!

 

[moonlanderadventures]

I wonder if you couldn't "bump" the door closed the extra little bit that maybe it needs?

It reminds me of the ignition lock on my Tundra... If I'd backed into a space and the steering wheel wasn't dead center, sometimes the steering wheel would have a little pressure one way or another and bind up against whatever lock. The end result is that next time I'd go to try turning the key in the ignition, it wouldn't turn unless I moved the wheel slightly to unbind it.

Not a huge deal, just weird tolerances on things. So if I were to guess, maybe the door wasn't quite closed enough to the point that something is binding and keeping that key from turning freely.

Maybe even just trying to turn the key while pushing the door in slightly would free it up to move?

Very interesting though, and something to keep in mind if it ever does happen.

What seems to work 90% of the time for me is I open the driver door, lock the door, then pull the grab handle all the way down to unlock it then shut the door normally. This for some reason allows me to then use my key. Don't me ask me why, but hey it works! I work remotely so I don't drive it as often as I should, and these dang OEM H6 batteries slurp power. The hotter weather doesn't help. So I have to be careful I don't get locked out from a dead battery. I do have a battery maintainer, but I live in apartment complex currently so I have to utilize my solar setup from my camper to keep it running long enough to top it off. The original OEM battery was bad and the first time it went completely dead and I jumped it (but my key worked) the second time the key failed me and at first I couldn't use the key fob to open the door, but then miraculously it worked for some reason. That was how I found out about my key. I later found the solution I mentioned in beginning at the top a few days ago.

 

[Revz]

When it actually locked AND unlocked after it refused to acknowledge you multiple times, it reminded me of Back to the Future II where only Biff knew how to start his '46 Ford.
Thanks for the warning. That's a weird one.

Ha!! I had that same ‘security system’ on my ‘84 Cherokee. Used to hand my keys to some high school buddies and challenge them to get it started for the occasional laugh.

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