Key in Ignition Sensor Set Off with No Key

Hello,

My stock ignition lock cylinder just went out, I had it removed by a locksmith and replaced it with another cylinder.

The car starts and turns off just fine with the new cylinder, but when the key is removed, the car still beeps and the doors will not lock as if there is still a key in the ignition.

When I remove the new cylinder and turn off the car (using pliers), whatever sensor corresponds to the key in ignition is not set off and I am able to lock my car/there's no beeping.

Any advice for troubleshooting the installation?

 

Even though the car can detect your key in the ignition, it wont stop you from locking the doors with the key in the ignition. I don't know how the key detection mechanism works, but considering that it works with plane metal keys I bet it isn't too complicated. It's either a microswitch that gets closed when the key is inserted, or Toyota uses the metal key to complete an electronic circuit. Whatever they do, it's near the front of the lock cylinder because it works when the key isn't fully in.

When you say your stock ignition went out, did the key stop turning the ignition from wear or was it acting up electronically too? Also does your car have an immobilizer? If you know for a fact that it doesn't then your going to have a much easier time.

 

I'm fairly confident I don't have an immobilizer, I've only ever had metal keys and I started the car with pliers when I was replacing the ignition. I replaced the ignition because it locked up.

I can still lock the car with the door closed, but in order to lock my car when I get out I need to do so from the drivers side door when it is open, which is where the problem with the sensor comes into play.

I messed around with the ignition more and it seems like there's something at the top of the chamber that the cylinder slides into that completes the circuit, I get the same beeping when I just slightly insert the cylinder and the top metal part makes contact with the chamber. I'm not sure why this after-market cylinder completes the circuit when my old ignition didn't.

 

Really dumb oversight on my part- my doors won't lock from the exterior on the drivers side but they will on the passenger side. I just completely neglected to test that. I figured out I can actually lock my car so all is well. I'll test the circuit to see what's setting off the key-in-ignition beep when I have the resources.

 

On my 2002. If the key is in the ignition and I lock the door, the car unlocks all the doors.

Sounds like he got the wrong year ignition cylinder for his car?

romib, did you get the cylinder from Toyota or aftermarket?

 

Toyota made several changes on later 4runners with respect to the locks. The only way to lock/unlock all the doors is the buttons on the front doors, or inserting the key into the lock cylinders in the door and twisting it in the same direction twice.

If your drivers lock isn't able to lock electronically then I bet it's the lock actuator. Does your car have a remote to work the locks?