[stephenzday]

I haven't posted in a long time, mostly because I got a Toyota Avalon a few years ago and it hasn't needed any repairs (except for a new radiator, which I already knew how to do). Last night, though, when I parked the car in front of the house, I couldn't get the key out of the ignition. I turned the wheel, tried again, nothing. I turned the key to start, and lights came on but the car wouldn't start or turn over or make the slightest noise. So, I now have a stuck key and a car that won't start. Quick research on Google, and the lock cylinder looks easy enough to replace, so I ordered one from Amazon. Not sure if this will help me, since I have a chipped key which is linked to the anti-theft system. If that key isn't used, the car won't start anyway. Question: If I have the chipped key next to the ignition, will it start, or does the chipped key have to physically in the ignition?

Today I will pull the lock cylinder and take a look at it's condition. Thanks!

 

[notnew2diy]

I haven't posted in a long time

Seems like this is your 1st post.

Check to see if your transmission is in park.

 

[660catman]

You answered your question already. The chipped key is stuck in the ignition yet it won’t start.

 

[stephenzday]

Seems like this is your 1st post.

Check to see if your transmission is in park.

You are probably right. I used to post on another forum when I had a Navigator. I thought this was it.

 

[stephenzday]

You answered your question already. The chipped key is stuck in the ignition yet it won’t start.

Two separate issues: 1) stuck key, 2) car won't start. Perhaps they are not related, perhaps they are. Step 1) remove lock cylinder. Step 2) attempt to remove key. Step 3) test battery.
First, coffee.

 

[Half-fast eddie]

Bad microswitch on the shift lever, doesn’t recognize it’s in park?

 

[HotRodx10]

Two separate issues: 1) stuck key, 2) car won't start. Perhaps they are not related, perhaps they are. Step 1) remove lock cylinder. Step 2) attempt to remove key. Step 3) test battery.
First, coffee.

They most likely are related. Both are symptoms of the shift interlock not registering that the shifter is in Park.

 

[EarlyTrekker]

Question: If I have the chipped key next to the ignition, will it start, or does the chipped key have to physically in the ignition?

Usually, but the mechanically correct key (turns the lock cylinder) MUST be a “dummy” (no chip). Simply piggy back the key heads, co planar with the shanks 180 degrees opposite.

HTH!

 

[HotRodx10]

Question: If I have the chipped key next to the ignition, will it start, or does the chipped key have to physically in the ignition?

The chip just has to be somewhere near the key cylinder. There should be a security light on the dash that blinks when the ignition lockout is engaged. IOW, when the light is blinking, you can still turn the key, and the engine will crank, but will not start because there's no ignition (spark). If the light is not blinking, that means the ECM has read a recognized code from an RFID chip, and has released the ignition lockout.

 

[calsih05]

Yes it will work ... I had to drill my ignition out .. so now i have needle nose plyers with my chipped key taped to it to start my car

 

[GrayHair]

Not as easy as it seems is it. I knew something like chips were coming and it would get expen$I've, so I sold the business.

On some cars you can't program a key into the car unless you have an account with the car's manufacturer and the programmer is connected to their server (security feature). A duplicate key at $100+ is actually a steal. A long way from GM's VATS with a resistor in the key.