Replacing push button start with a key?

Like a 2019 4R. Possible?

 

Can you tell me why not?

 

Touche' sir. Touche'.

 

Personally, I prefer the key.

But in the case of a 4Runner that has a push button start - I'm thinking that is going to be a tall and expensive order. Just dealing with the way the dongle works is part of the problem, in my small mind. I would say that it might not be possible.
You might be better off buying a 2019 or prior.
And no, I don't want to sell mine!

 

2023 is still 5th gen, and the cheap 2021 SR5 Trail had the key. So I thought maybe doable?

 

I don't remember what year they switched to push button start. I thought it was 2020 because I had a rental with a push button start. I don't remember the trim.

 

2020 was the first year. But base SR5 had the key for 2022 even

 

I'm writing an email to Car Care Nut

 

2019 Limited had a push button. I suspect current S American 4Rs use a key not a push button.

 

Me also. Especially after seeing the videos on how much easier it is to steal a Toyota with push button start.

 

I've been wondering the same thing. I would so much rather have a key

 

Do me a favor. If a few of us ask the same question from Car Care Nut, he may discuss it in a video. Shoot him a message on Facebook. Thanks

 

lotsa challenges for this one. canbus relies on current state to know what to do when a short push signal or long push signal is sent from the start/stop button. an ignition switch may be able to mimic the button through the “Start” position but that throws out the traditional positions for off, ign on, and acc. if you want traditional ignition switch behavior you’d start with wiring from the ignition switch all the down to the bcm and ecu which also will need to be compatible with a four position ignition switch. who knows what other compatibility issues exist outside of my initial thoughts (immobilizer etc).

 

Sell and buy a 2019. Done!

 

Isn’t the keyless/pushbutton thing just for premium or limited trims? My 21 OR came with key. I think that hasn’t changed.

It seems changing from keyless to keyed is way more complicated than it’s worth. Even the way the steering lock works when the engine is turned off operates differently.

I think it literally might be simpler and easier to trade for a non-premium OR, and swap your suspension over.

I really don’t understand how this push button start business made it’s way into passenger cars. It’s trying to mimic race cars, which had push buttons only because they were a simpler way to energize the starter directly without bothering with a key that isnt needed for a track car. Now they just overcomplicate passenger cars.

 

Yes. Complexity (if even possible), and if possible, enormous cost.

Someone asked the same question late last year:

https://www.4runners.com/threads/4runner-limited-push-button-start.29096/

Post #4 in that thread pretty much summed it up:

"I don't think you really want to convert to a key, or can. Check out: https://bryansgarage.com/replace-push-button-start-with-key/

"It is impossible to replace the push button with a key in modern vehicles. In case you are really eager to do it, you will have to pay a large amount of money that is nearly equivalent with the cost of a new car to get the process done."

Not what you wanted to hear but there it is."

 

That's a step backwards. Push-button start is better for off-road driving - no dangling keys to stab into your knee.

I keep only a small fuel cap key on the same ring with my ignition key for this reason. Rest of my keys stay in my pocket.

The rental Prado I drove in a Central American country almost a decade ago had push-button start. It's basic tech like plastic steering wheel and single-DIN stereo.

 

I just talked to the dealership technician. In short, don't do it.

 

The Car Care Nut is a keep it stock kinda of guy which is good, so I doubt he would endorse such a mod. But he may offer insight into the complexity involved.

 

Pushbutton start on a race cars are basic technology because it’s just a spring loaded switch to energize the starter. That’s the only purpose they serve. Not so for production passenger vehicles, they’re are an over complication if you ask me. They’re really only on road cars marketing purposes, to make you feel “sporty” and “modern”.

Just the fact you have an electric motor to work the steering lock makes the system more complex than it needs to be, and makes steering wheel unlocking battery dependent.

 

do the 4Rs with smart keys have a fail safe to start the car?

my gti has a traditional ignition switch/key tumbler in the column as a fail safe.

 

I’ve had two push button cars. A 2011 Kia optima I owned had a spot to place the fob so it could “read” it if the fob battery died. But not a mechanical tumbler that would allow me to physically operate the ignition.

We currently have a 2018 Highlander, and it does not have a place to read the fob like the Kia did. It doesn’t have a mechanical tumbler backup either. But the instrument panel warns you when the fob battery is low. I would imagine 5th gen 4runners are the same?

 

You can put the fob directly against the push start button and push with the fob to start the vehicle without a battery installed in the fob

 

Good to know! That will probably save me some trouble, because I’ve been ignoring the low battery warning for while haha

 

I get the low battery warning at random times. Most of the time it isn’t low. I tend to ignore it until I can’t open the vehicle by grabbing the handle. Takes all of 2 minutes to replace so not a big deal. Just keep some replacement batteries on hand haha

 

count me in.

One of the annoyances, albeit a minor one, is that you can't start a push button start car without putting the foot on the brake. I am so used to being able to reach in and start cars in the summer or winter to let the climate control start working, or when I am working on the car and need to start the motor.

 

The smart key system consumes the battery pretty quick. Per owner's manual:



Being a 2021, your fob battery is on borrowed time!

 

Lol. I think it must have been replaced at least once. Either way, borrowed time, like you said.

 

Great question. Because f tech. Ignore all the naysayers. Has anyone done it? Curious as well.

My 4R cut off automatically after idling for 30 mins. Doubt it would have done this with a key in it....