Unlocking doors with a dead battery?

My battery went dead because I left the interior light on I could not unlock the door because of the dead battery my question is should my drivers door unlock even with a dead battery my will not could my latch assembly be bad?

 

It’s stupid but I think that’s what will happen with a dead battery. Someone had this problem around here a while back. I think he had to pop the front fender liner loose to get to the battery and put a charge on it.

 

so even the key doesn't unlock it :O wtf toyota?!

 

From my knowledge yes. I haven’t had a dead battery and had to deal with that. But that’s what I’ve heard. And I will give you that, that is stupid, WTF!

 

it is crazy but I wanted to make sure there was not a problem I caan not get an anser from Toyota

 

This is crazy but it just happened to me. I was dumbfounded when my key didn’t work to get in my truck after my battery died. I called my mechanic and he came over and saved the day. He was able to gain access to the alternator located on the passenger side and connected jumper cables to give me enough juice to unlock my door. Hope this was helpful.

 

Wow, this is good info!

 

Wow. Good to know.
Other cars I've had at least had a mechanical backup to pop the door open if you had a dead battery (and I've had to use them). So just to confirm again, the physical key in the lock will not open the door if the battery is dead? That's kind of ridiculous.

Will need to work on a work around while it's not dead.

 

Yeah, I'm having a hard time believing you can't put the key in the door and turn it to unlock if the battery is dead. That worked on my Kia Forte...

 

Yes that’s correct the physical key will not unlock the truck if the battery is dead. It makes no sense to me.

 

Then what’s the purpose of the physical key and key locking mechanism in the door?

 

In case of a dead fob I guess...

But it should absolutely be mechanical in case the battery is dead, that's nuts.

 

I'm thinking of trying to see if I can unlock my truck with the battery disconnected.

 

Let us know the results, I'd be curious to know if this was redesigned at some point. Probably should check the manual as well...

 

It would seem absurd not to be able to unlock the door with just the key if the battery is dead.

 

I wonder if you could modify the hood latch to be able to open it from the outside. Some cars are set up that way anyway...

 

Wow, thanks for letting us know!

 

I have a pair of 2002 trucks, a Ford Sport Trac and my new to me Tundra Access Cab. Both have door lock remotes and neither allow a worn ignition key to unlock a door. Also, the original, worn key won't move the pax airbag switch on the Tundra. However, a newly cut key works in both functions, and the original valet key opens the Ford doors. So, I think the problem is worn keys generally used only in the ignition switch, tailgate and gas door. The keys and these tumblers seem to wear together and continue to function. Thing to do is to source a new key (hardware store key copied from a worn one may not work) and keep it for power out entry.

First post, I see. Howdy, y'all!

 

Battery died on mine and would not unlock with the remote or touch pad. I used the key to unlock and it worked just fine.

 

I think that it's trying to be determined if this is just a 2nd Gen thing though. But thanks.

 

Happened on both my 2nd and 3rd gen Tundras and both unlocked with key but dead battery.

 

Cool! Thanks again.

 

Not a Tundra but I could lock/unlock my 2012 Sequoia driver door with key when my battery was removed for exchange. Could also lock all the other doors with the inside manual locking button.

 

2016 physical key worked just fine to lock/unlock. My battery was dying so i took it out the truck to put it on a trickle charger. During the process i was using the key to lock and unlock the door. No issues at all.

 

My 2011 when the battery goes dead i can unlock with the key just turn to the left driver door unlocks to the right all doors unlock. Never had an issue.

 

If all your doors are unlocking with one key turn the battery isn't dead..

 

Vegas4x4 just said his battery was on a bench being charged and he was able to unlock/lock with the key