Battery flat and can't get in

mothoin · 13-02-2020 11:16AM #1

Hi,

Have a 2004 toyota landcruiser, with a flat battery and key wont operate the door lock

any suggestions on how to open the bonnet from outside only

thanks

Patrick2010 · 13-02-2020 11:34AM

Used to have a honda that I could only open with a fob. If I left the lights on the battery would run down and I'd be stuck. I had breakdown assist with RSA so the guys would come out and open the door in a minute or so with one of those inflatable rubbers that push the door frame open enough to get something in to pop the lock.

Spook_ie · 13-02-2020 11:45AM

Can anyone confirm that the positive from the battery connects direct to the starter, if so then jump leads under the car to starter cable and a chassis earth should allow you to operate the central locking.

For safety I would recommend you disconnect the starter if attempting this

TheBoyConor · 13-02-2020 11:48AM

If you have winscreen cover, smash the back windscreen, get in, open the bonnet and then charge up or jumpstart. Then get the back windscreen replaced for free through your insurer.

I think a lot of windscreen insurance covers all glass so you could smash the passenger window too and it would be less mess and still get in and have it replaced for free.

Still waters · 13-02-2020 11:50AM

A light bar inside the top of drivers door, push out top part of window enough to get another light bar inside and hit door lock, ive had to do it with mine a couple of times

20/20 · 13-02-2020 11:51AM

2004 toyota landcruiser why not put the key into the door lock and turn. this should open the door.

Krombopulos Michael · 13-02-2020 11:51AM

TheBoyConor wrote: »

If you have winscreen cover, smash the back windscreen, get in, open the bonnet and then charge up or jumpstart. Then get the back windscreen replaced for free through your insurer.

I think a lot of windscreen insurance covers all glass so you could smash the passenger window too and it would be less mess and still get in and have it replaced for free.

Just word of warning, some insurance companies consider replacement windscreens as a claim and when you go to get a quote for renewals with other insurance companies, it may impact premiums.

JustAThought · 13-02-2020 11:55AM

I had this problem but different car - but miggt be worth looking. On my passenger door there was a tiny rubber plug that matched the paintwork entirely that the AA guy peeled off and under it was a slot to put the key in and open it the old fashioned way! Had never seen it before!! Might be worth a look inc your rear doors.

I dont suppose you checked that all the doors are locked? Sometimes you get lucky

My old car used be recoverable with a wire coathamger & a bit of dexterity & patience -I suppose they make them better now

mothoin · 13-02-2020 12:13PM

20/20 wrote: »

2004 toyota landcruiser why not put the key into the door lock and turn. this should open the door.

wow, thanks, I will go do this now!

when the battery runs right down, central locking does not work full stop, whether using key in the door or a fob!

nedkelly123 · 13-02-2020 12:16PM

My car is the same .. if it goes dead you cant open the bonnet .. as its a button not a pull cable
you can get jump leads and earth to the body and the fuse box has a live terminal you can pull out and connect the jump leads to that and then the bonnet will open from the switch .. it does have a cable too under the bumper for a last last resort

20/20 · 13-02-2020 12:18PM

Well iam not sure how bright you are.
My old Landcruiser 2007 all I had to do was put the key into the door when battery fob was dead.
My Landcruiser now is key-less entry and start.

colm_mcm · 13-02-2020 12:46PM

mothoin wrote: »

wow, thanks, I will go do this now!

when the battery runs right down, central locking does not work full stop, whether using key in the door or a fob!

It should. They don’t have deadlocks unless it’s a UK import and even at that they key would still open it.

You don’t need the central locking to work, only the drivers door needs to open.

Put some oil in the lock and try. It’s probably stuck from non use.

mothoin · 13-02-2020 12:52PM

20/20 wrote: »

Well iam not sure how bright you are.
My old Landcruiser 2007 all I had to do was put the key into the door when battery fob was dead.
My Landcruiser now is key-less entry and start.

again, great words of wisdom there, thanks, let me know where your local is, ill leave the price of a few pints behind the bar

colm_mcm · 13-02-2020 12:57PM

TheBoyConor wrote: »

If you have winscreen cover, smash the back windscreen, get in, open the bonnet and then charge up or jumpstart. Then get the back windscreen replaced for free through your insurer.

I think a lot of windscreen insurance covers all glass so you could smash the passenger window too and it would be less mess and still get in and have it replaced for free.

That would be insurance fraud.

H3llR4iser · 13-02-2020 01:02PM

OP, don't be too surprised at the comments about the key - you have no idea how many people are so used to the remote that they don't even know the car has a mechanical lock. I've seen people holding the key to their car and being "locked out" because their fob battery was dead, for example.

In your case - I seem to understand the car went into what's called a "deadlock"; Basically there are no real mechanical locks, the ones on the doors are still electric, correct? I've recently discovered my own Alfa 159 might be the same (some versions have "deadlocks", others don't). Still - does the key turn in the lock and nothing happens? If it doesn't turn, it might be just stuck.

Unless you can somehow reach for the bonnet catch from under the car, I'm afraid your only option is to call somebody to connect a battery charger to the starter's positive (big thick wire) and the car's ground - careful that the starter might try to engage, it's best done by a mechanic / the AA with the proper tooling. Unless you know the car is in neutral.

EDIT: I'm not sure if the Landcruiser is a permanent 4x4...if it is, DON'T TRY the starter trick, call road rescue - they'll need to lift all 4 wheels off the ground.

colm_mcm · 13-02-2020 01:13PM

Land Cruisers have mechanical locks.

mondeo · 13-02-2020 01:22PM

Patrick2010 wrote: »

Used to have a honda that I could only open with a fob. If I left the lights on the battery would run down and I'd be stuck. I had breakdown assist with RSA so the guys would come out and open the door in a minute or so with one of those inflatable rubbers that push the door frame open enough to get something in to pop the lock.

The flushed door lock routine ? I did this in the day with an orange civic. I was in trouble if the central locking failed. Luckily I never had any issues. It was all good lol.

Markcheese · 13-02-2020 02:30PM

H3llR4iser wrote: »

OP, don't be too surprised at the comments about the key - you have no idea how many people are so used to the remote that they don't even know the car has a mechanical lock. I've seen people holding the key to their car and being "locked out" because their fob battery was dead, for example.

In your case - I seem to understand the car went into what's called a "deadlock"; Basically there are no real mechanical locks, the ones on the doors are still electric, correct? I've recently discovered my own Alfa 159 might be the same (some versions have "deadlocks", others don't). Still - does the key turn in the lock and nothing happens? If it doesn't turn, it might be just stuck.

Unless you can somehow reach for the bonnet catch from under the car, I'm afraid your only option is to call somebody to connect a battery charger to the starter's positive (big thick wire) and the car's ground - careful that the starter might try to engage, it's best done by a mechanic / the AA with the proper tooling. Unless you know the car is in neutral.

EDIT: I'm not sure if the Landcruiser is a permanent 4x4...if it is, DON'T TRY the starter trick, call road rescue - they'll need to lift all 4 wheels off the ground.

Would that matter if your going to disconnect the starter anyway ??

listermint · 13-02-2020 02:33PM

Could be frozen ?

Pour kettle over the lock and handle a few times, then spray WD40 into the lock a few times, then try the key again

Spook_ie · 13-02-2020 02:44PM

You could try these guys

https://www.autokey.ie/toyota-landcruiser-2/

They do a key that doesn't have remote facility that will apparently open doors, not sure if it needs battery of not

KevRossi · 13-02-2020 02:51PM

TheBoyConor wrote: »

If you have winscreen cover, smash the back windscreen, get in, open the bonnet and then charge up or jumpstart. Then get the back windscreen replaced for free through your insurer.

I think a lot of windscreen insurance covers all glass so you could smash the passenger window too and it would be less mess and still get in and have it replaced for free.

NEVER smash the rear window of a car. They can be a lot harder to replace or find as they rarely break. If you need to break a window go for driver or passenger one. But you're better off getting breakdown to open the door with the air cushion as described above.

Also on a rear window you may have issues re-connecting the heated element.

OP: try WD40 in the door lock and try this again. Also check if there is a key hole in the rear door, which may be covered by something.

Very odd that it does not work. I've a 2006 Lexus RX that opens with a key when the battery is totally dead, the LandCruiser should have a similar, probably older system.

H3llR4iser · 13-02-2020 02:52PM

Markcheese wrote: »

Would that matter if your going to disconnect the starter anyway ??

Nope, but you can never be too careful with this stuff on the Interwebz...

TheBoyConor · 13-02-2020 02:55PM

colm_mcm wrote: »

That would be insurance fraud.

How would it be? Sure the cover is there to cover broken glass. IT doesn't state that it must be accidental breakage.

A young fella throwing a stone through the window would not be accidental but would still be covered.

I had a concrete block thrown through my back window once. Clearly deliberate. Insurance covered it without question.

Krombopulos Michael · 13-02-2020 03:00PM

TheBoyConor wrote: »

How would it be? Sure the cover is there to cover broken glass. IT doesn't state that it must be accidental breakage.

A young fella throwing a stone through the window would not be accidental but would still be covered.

I had a concrete block thrown through my back window once. Clearly deliberate. Insurance covered it without question.

It's fraud as you are intentionally breaking your own window, rather than accidental or 3rd party damage (other person chucking a concrete block).

mothoin · 13-02-2020 03:12PM

I got in! made an implement to pop bonnet throw top of driver door and hookd on jump leads

colm_mcm wrote: »

It should. They don’t have deadlocks unless it’s a UK import and even at that they key would still open it.

You don’t need the central locking to work, only the drivers door needs to open.

Put some oil in the lock and try. It’s probably stuck from non use.

Deadlocks or not, this jeep would not open with the key, i tried wd40, no joy whatsoever, if you google it, it is a common fault but most solutions offered involve breaking glass, im too tight to break it just for the sake of it

H3llR4iser wrote: »

OP, don't be too surprised at the comments about the key - you have no idea how many people are so used to the remote that they don't even know the car has a mechanical lock. I've seen people holding the key to their car and being "locked out" because their fob battery was dead, for example.

In your case - I seem to understand the car went into what's called a "deadlock"; Basically there are no real mechanical locks, the ones on the doors are still electric, correct? I've recently discovered my own Alfa 159 might be the same (some versions have "deadlocks", others don't). Still - does the key turn in the lock and nothing happens? If it doesn't turn, it might be just stuck.

Unless you can somehow reach for the bonnet catch from under the car, I'm afraid your only option is to call somebody to connect a battery charger to the starter's positive (big thick wire) and the car's ground - careful that the starter might try to engage, it's best done by a mechanic / the AA with the proper tooling. Unless you know the car is in neutral.

EDIT: I'm not sure if the Landcruiser is a permanent 4x4...if it is, DON'T TRY the starter trick, call road rescue - they'll need to lift all 4 wheels off the ground.

I got in by popping the bonnet from the inside with a long hook through the top of the drivers door, using an airbag to open it

Spook_ie wrote: »

You could try these guys

https://www.autokey.ie/toyota-landcruiser-2/

They do a key that doesn't have remote facility that will apparently open doors, not sure if it needs battery of not

i have one of these keys already:D

will post photos and videos of escapade when i get a chance

thanks all and

@20/20 let me know when you want those pints

seagull · 13-02-2020 05:53PM

I've had a similar issue before. I managed to get in through the front passenger door. Key worked fine on that side, but for some reason, the driver side door was being uncooperative.

robtri · 13-02-2020 07:35PM

it is quite possible the door with the mechanical lock is just seized up due to non use.

mickdw · 13-02-2020 07:44PM

Ops attitude is nuts.

mgbgt1978 · 13-02-2020 07:45PM

But did the Key actually turn in the Door lock or not ?

billie1b · 13-02-2020 07:55PM

On the LC to open manually with the key with a dead battery you need to put the key in any of the drivers or pax side slots, turn the key counter clockwise and hold it for a few seconds in that position. Around 5 seconds and it will unlock the drivers/pax door

13-02-2020 07:58PM

billie1b wrote: »

On the LC to open manually with the key with a dead battery you need to put the key in any of the drivers or pax side slots, turn the key counter clockwise and hold it for a few seconds in that position. Around 5 seconds and it will unlock the drivers/pax door

Pax? Does this Landcruiser have wings?

Battery flat and can't get in

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