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Gen 3 Dead accessory battery, manual key won't unlock door

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by cagemo, May 4, 2019.

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  1. cagemo

    cagemo Member

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    My 2014 Prius has a totally dead 12v battery. It unlocked normally with the fob last night but would not start, and didn't have enough power to re-lock the doors electrically. It was late at night, so I locked all the doors manually using the interior latches, thinking I could use the mechanical key to open the drivers door and work on it today. The mechanical key turns (clockwise, per the owners manual) but doesn't unlock the door. Searched the forums but can't find anything for this specific problem. Anyone have advice?
     
    #1 cagemo, May 4, 2019
    Last edited: May 4, 2019
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the manual key locked it last night?
     
    #2 bisco, May 4, 2019
  3. cagemo

    cagemo Member

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    No. I locked all the doors manually, using the mechanical interior door locks. The doors would not lock electrically, probably because the 12v battery is dead.
     
    #3 cagemo, May 4, 2019
    Last edited: May 4, 2019
  4. cagemo

    cagemo Member

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    My essential question: Is the drivers side, outside mechanical key operated completely by mechanical forces, or is it electrical in any way? If it's all mechanical, then I just need to figure out what's seized up or not working properly.
     
    #4 cagemo, May 4, 2019
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I suggest squirting a little WD-40 into the mechanical key hole to see if that would help the mechanical key to rotate sufficiently to unlock the door.
     
    #5 Patrick Wong, May 5, 2019
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    and try a pair of pliers on the key to aid turning, but don't bend or break it, wiggle it back and forth.

    yes, it is all mechanical.
     
    #6 bisco, May 5, 2019
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  7. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    I would use the key once a month or so just to keep it free of dirt and junk.
    The grease will harden over time, heat, cold, etc.
    Better safe than sorry...
     
    #7 ASRDogman, May 5, 2019
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  8. cagemo

    cagemo Member

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    Thanks everybody for the advice, and confirming it's all mechanical. I had tried pliers carefully and rotating it back and forth but not the WD40. Can never find that red tube... Will try that and report back.
     
    #8 cagemo, May 5, 2019
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    hopefully, it's not disconnected inside the door. have you owned it since new?
     
    #9 bisco, May 5, 2019
  10. cagemo

    cagemo Member

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    I wondered that too. But I have owned it since new.
     
    #10 cagemo, May 5, 2019
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  11. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    There's a website for that product.
     
    #11 Grit, May 5, 2019
    Last edited: May 5, 2019
  12. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    I use white lithium grease or the wd-40 rust & dust resistant line of dry lube. Regular wd-40 will get you trouble in the future.
     
    #12 Grit, May 5, 2019
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  13. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    When you get it unstuck, if it is, you should remove the door panel and lube the lock with graphite.
    Or whatever toyota calls for....
     
    #13 ASRDogman, May 5, 2019
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  14. bettergolf

    bettergolf Active Member

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    Triple A can get in....they'll pry the door just enough to get a rod to the door handle and open it from the inside.
     
    #14 bettergolf, May 5, 2019
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  15. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    ALWAYS use graphite, not WD.
     
    #15 frodoz737, May 5, 2019
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  16. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    WD40 will loosen it up, graphite won't. So AFTER the wd40, clean up the lock and use graphite.
     
    #16 ASRDogman, May 5, 2019
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  17. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Silicon and graphite combined do not make good bed fellows in a lock.
     
    #17 frodoz737, May 5, 2019
  18. Usle

    Usle Active Member

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    Lot's of ideas, the op disappeared, but....the op mechanically locked it from the inside, what's that?
    I'd contact toyota and ask, and keep calling dealers untill someone knows how to unlock when mechanically locked from the inside.

    Obviously the key isn't working, is there a sliding door or an incantation?
     
    #18 Usle, May 5, 2019
  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    what's what?
     
    #19 bisco, May 5, 2019
  20. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Toyota will probably say they..."never heard of it." Just like all the other issues that's been reported to them with that usual answer :p
     
    #20 Grit, May 5, 2019
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