Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Asked by Carnoob on December 7, 2020
I know similar questions have been asked but I’m specifically looking for the most cost efficient way to solve the following problem. I have a 2006 Lexus RX400h for which the physical door key does not fit the lock cylinder of the door (but it does start the car). I open the car door with the key fob. I bought the car this way so I don’t know the exact backstory.
The fact that my physical car key does not open the door lock cylinder does not usually bother me. But when the battery dies, I am unable to get into my own car. So I’d like to resolve this situation. After speaking with some folks, I believe the previous owners probably changed the ignition cylinder without changing the door locks. Then they just reprogrammed the key fob to open the door and to start the car.
My current thinking is the following: It seems like changing the door lock cylinder is probably more expensive than changing the ignition cylinder back to factory specs and then getting a factory key and program that key to open and start the car.
I could get all of this done with my local Lexus dealership. But knowing dealerships, I am certain that this will be expensive. I also feel like I cannot get reliable information from the dealership, a mechanic, or a locksmith because all of them have an interest in selling me their services.
So now my question is what would be the least expensive way to deal with this?
Being a auto locksmith, I can 100% recommend that you have your door lock rekeyed to match your current ignition key. Cost will depend on location and if you remove the the lock yourself and take it to a shop or if you call a reputable mobile smith to come out. I charge about $90 for mobile service and a simple rekey like this.
The lock is simple to remove, there is a set screw on the side of door frame you undo and the lock pulls out to remove. I guess a shop would charge about $50.
Rekeying ignition is not as easy because these are somewhat sealed units and need a little drilling to open up so it will cost more. I'd say more along the lines of $100 shop/ $200 mobile. PLUS you will need to have a new case cut to move transponder in or new key programmed all together to match back to the ignition which will be in addition to the ignition rekey cost.
Dealer has no idea how to rekey anything. They will just replace stuff. I wouldn't bother with them in this case.
Its also possible your door lock is just seized up. It is very common on lexus locks around those years. Bad grease that dries up. Spray a healthy bit of wd40 in there and work your key in and out some. If still does not work take the lock out and spray MORE wd40 in the big drain hole underneath the lock while putting your key in and out.
Correct answer by narkeleptk on December 7, 2020
Your cheapest option might be to leave everything keyed the way that it is and simply have separate keys for the door and for the ignition. You'd have to get a key made for the door, but that should be cheaper than rekeying the lock. This is what I do with my house, which has two different locks on different doors. One of those keys only gets used on very rare occasions, similar to OP's situation, so it's not a lot of extra hassle. However, this option would get extremely annoying if this was your primary way of unlocking the door.
Answered by bta on December 7, 2020
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