Lost keys - steering locked at full lock

[paddlesteamer Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close paddlesteamer]

I lost one set of keys and now the other set has been stolen. I booked it in to my dealer (Chatswood Toyota) for a new key and arranged a tow through the NRMA. The towie says he can't tow it or winch it onto the flatbed because the front wheels are locked at full lock. I suggested lifting the front with a dolly arrangement, but he reckons the vehicle is too heavy. So the car is stuck on the street and cannot be towed to the dealer to get a new key cut. Any ideas on how to free up the steering lock or tow it in such a way that there is no damage ?

[CamJam Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close CamJam]

On the Toyota data base do they have your hard, metal key shape by any chance? The bit that comes out of the fob? Or is there a master one of those they have access to? Perhaps they could come and use it? Or if they can make another? just to unlock it...

[Atherton Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Atherton]

Even if you unlock it I don't think that will unlock the steering wheel without the fob being present (unless there is some kind of manual release?). I would have thought that your Toyota dealer would be able to sell you a fob that would allow you to just drive it away- or if it requires programming they'd come out and do it.

[paddlesteamer Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close paddlesteamer]

On the Toyota data base do they have your hard, metal key shape by any chance? The bit that comes out of the fob? Or is there a master one of those they have access to? Perhaps they could come and use it? Or if they can make another? just to unlock it...

Yes they do, and it would be quite useful to unlock the doors - but the NRMA already broke in and unlocked them for me. The physical key is useless to unlock the steering as there is no conventional ignition switch.

[paddlesteamer Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close paddlesteamer]

Yup, they can fix it by making a new fob but I have to get the car to them.

[Guest Close Guest]

Any towie worth half his brain cells can skull drag the thing up onto a flat bed no matter what way the wheels are pointing.. Get him to load it in reverse, keep the brakes locked (Someone in it) and the front will drag straight as its being winched.. Loaded many a destroyed race car in this way, some don't even have wheels, or they are each pointing different directions. Or at worse a set of go jacks will easily support a prado. Moved mine around in the workshop many times on go jacks.

[nudgebar Member Find all posts View Profile Close nudgebar]

yep , go jacks will support a prado no problem. at worst all they have to do is lift the tyres slightly until the car is touching the tilt tray. from there the towie can use the tray's side pulleys to manaouvre in any direction he likes. I would get another towie!!

[paddlesteamer Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close paddlesteamer]

Update: not quite over the line yet but....

I spoke to several towies and none of them were game to drag it onto the tilt tray - they are all worried about damage, the car sliding off the side of the tray, and their insurance. The Go Jacks seemed like a good idea but they just make it worse ! Put a pair of roller skates on your front wheels and you have no control at all over where the front of the car goes. I did find a towie with a sling lift and dolly wheels who reckoned he could do it - but a lot more expensive than a regular tow.

Both NRMA and Chatswood Toyota were about as much use as tits on a bull, however having said that, one of the NRMA call centre staff did come up with a number for a specialist roadside locksmith who reckons he can do what Toyota cannot, which is program the ECUs (yes apparently there are several - proximity sensors inside, outside and at the rear tailgate) to recognise a new fob. But it ain't cheap - I'll keep you posted.....

[CamJam Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close CamJam]

Yes they do, and it would be quite useful to unlock the doors - but the NRMA already broke in and unlocked them for me. The physical key is useless to unlock the steering as there is no conventional ignition switch.

Oh duh! What a peanut - sorry. Back in the day we had ignition barrels - I just assumed it was still there - even after pressing that button for quite some time now...

[Guest Close Guest]

Your towies sound like the worst ever.... It's really not rocket science to get a car on a tilt tray.

[nudgebar Member Find all posts View Profile Close nudgebar]

Your towies sound like the worst ever.... It's really not rocket science to get a car on a tilt tray.

completely agree , even cars torn in half from road accidents can be loaded onto tilt trays. even with go jacks you only need to lift until half the weight is taken off the tyres. once you stop pulling the car stops and wont slide away.

[Whitey1 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Whitey1]

Those towies just can't be bothered I'd say. I've dragged quite a few cars with locked steering onto tilt tray without any problems. You've just gotta take your time and be careful. Go Jacks work or use the sliding tray to your advantage.