Locked my keys in the Cel

[GotToyota?]

I was pulling something out of the car just now and without thinking, left the keys on the seat and closed the door as it was locked. Now the keys are stuck in the car.

I don't have any spares, any suggestions on how to open a door or the hatch? I tried a hanger for a bit but the locks are a bitch to grab. I will call Toyota tomorrow to see if they can make a key based on VIN.

[Petros]

I have heard they can make a key from the vin but I have never tried it.

I have spent an hour with a number of specialized lock smith tools, slim-jim, etc. and could not get mine open (and I have done it on other cars before). it is too well designed to break into without damaging it. I now always have a spare key hidden in the engine compartment.

Sometimes if your drivers door lock is worn and slopply you can put a similar key in it and wiggle it around you might be able to get it to open, but if you can not turn the locks, you likely will not open it without damaging the door, window or lock.

spare keys are only $1.50 from Home Depot or Ace hardware, get several made!

good luck.

[dlb]

if you have any friends with second gen tercels, try their keys. i have found keys from lots of different tercels work in other ones. unlocked many a tercel door with keys for my friend's tercs, my friend's mom's terc, etc. maybe someone on the forum lives near you and can try theirs for you.

next, i would call toyota your local toyota dealer and ask about getting a key made from the VIN like petros suggested.

failing that, you might have to swallow the $50 bill or whatever it is to have a tow truck come unlock it for you and hope they don't damage it in the process.

good luck! i keep a spare set of keys for each of our vehicles hidden in our house for these occasions. amazing, i haven't needed them in years. now that i said that though, it will happen tomorrow.

[GotToyota?]

Just called Toyota, they only go back to 1990.

[irowiki]

Ah crap, answers that question, I was going to have keys made for my 87.

[GotToyota?]

I got the car unlocked, was much easier to do it in the daytime when I could see what I was doing. Won't go into detail obviously but I'll be heading over to Toyota to get some keys made shortly. I've been wanting to do it for awhile but this finally was the last straw.

[irowiki]

Might be able to do it at a hardware store for cheaper!

[GotToyota?]

I've been wanting an official Toyota key with the plastic top. Maybe I'll just buy one there and get a generic one at the hardware store.

[irowiki]

Oh, hmm, not a bad idea then, so they can still copy old keys, just not make one from scratch?

[GotToyota?]

That's correct, if you have a key you're fine.

If you need one made based on your VIN, it's 1990 and up. I have a feeling that goes up a year as time passes too.

[tercel4wdrules]

I used the coat hanger to open mine before, you just need to bend it at the right angle and slip it in from the mid to lower part of the window frame. Takes some time and finesse, but it will work with some patience. After that happened, I went and got a spare made. I have also unlocked my Tercels by trying other keys from the other Tercels.

[ARCHINSTL]

Paranoid Tom keeps one wired to a convenient, yet hidden, point in the front of the car and, since Goldie is my DD (except for the grocery-getter POS p'up), I keep a Home Depot replacement one in my wallet as well.
How much will the official Toy key cost you? I have Goldie's OE, but it is too worn to work the door locks (OK in the ignition, oddly).
Tom M.

[garyfish]

>>>How much will the official Toy key cost you?<<<

$16.95 on eBay right now... seems a bit expensive, wonder if they'd be cheaper thru Butler Toy
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Genuine-OEM ... 1008847704

Toyota OEM part # 90999-00212

[GotToyota?]

You can get the key for about $6 cheaper if you're willing to deal with shipping.

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/ ... eid=214351

[Mark]

I started my '84 wagon yesterday and then realized I used the key from my '81 sedan that was on the same key ring. Maybe it's wear or maybe different Tercel locks are close enough to use the same key.