Car not unlocking

Try to wiggle the key while you're twisting it to turn. It'll eventually break free

 

Try turning it the other direction 90 degrees, to unlock

 

toyota should recommend people learn how to use the key when not needed, and exercise the lock occasionally.

 

unfortunately, this happens all too often, nd if you're stranded somewhere, it could be a big issue.

 

my current predicament. I disconnected the 12volt for an 8 week trip overseas, and low and behold, my mechanical key does nothing to the driver side door of my prius C. turns 90* both clockwise and counterclockwise. I've jiggled and jangled, and just about every other sequence under the sun to no avail.

 

Just another Prius Oddity!! (my list is always growing) Can't wait to read the answers for this one. Is the Prius door lock somehow different than the millions of other mechanical door locks out there?! That simple Corolla is looking better and better...

 

As your car is a Prius c, it is probably best to start your own thread on a suitable forum over in the Prius c section, rather than tacking onto a Gen 2 thread. The folks over there have more knowledge and experience with that model Prius, so you will get more focused help with your problem.

As for the Gen 2, and already covered by this thread (and many others), with the remote lock/unlock or SKS system, the physical lock does not get much of a workout. It helps to use a bit of dry lube once a year when you do your routine maintenance and exercise the physical lock. Not really much of a mystery.

 

Probably has no relevance to your 2016 Gen 4, but thanks for popping into the Gen 2 forums.

 

I "pop" all over. I am curious about all things Prius. All generations. And I would sure like to know WHY these Prius doorlocks are so weird. You mean to tell me, that my mechanical key may not work just when I need it most???

 

Can't speak for the Gen 4, but on the Gen 2, there is nothing weird about these locks.

If you don't maintain it, yes it may not work just when you need it most. Maintain it and exercise it once in a while, no problems at all.

 

+1 @dolj. I've had Gen 2 locks apart. They are just like the ones in my previous power lock vehicle. Like any key mechanism, if you let it sit in the weather for 10 years and never use it or lubricate it, you should not be surprised if it's a little crusty inside.

 

Understood. I do use the key occasionally.

I thought the poster was referring to some type of electric malfunction, because he removed the negative terminal of the battery for a few weeks. But that shouldn't affect the manual key use.

 

He may well have been. But the Prius c is not a Gen 2 Prius, so us Gen 2 folk can’t really comment.

One of the reasons this site is split into sections for each model, is that information about one model is not necessarily interchangeable with another (or generation, even) and is the point of my advice to post in the correct section of the site.

 

I don't disagree with you, but i figured a post from someone else with this problem would be more relevant and time-saving than starting a new post in a forum where others with a similar problem might not "pop" into. its a door lock, not really anything specific to a gen 2 3 4 or C. but maybe specific to priuses or toyota as a whole.
i bank on the notion that when i need an answer right this second, I'm better off searching vs posting a new thread and hoping someone answer, particularly without searching if others had a similar issue.

fwiw, i took apart the entire front end of the car from the outside to unlatch the hood, found no jump terminal, hooked up jumper cables to a positive lead anyway but realized a disconnected battery must mean an open circuit somewhere (so much for parallel circuits?) so that didn't do anything. ended up swallowing my pride, called AAA and they unlocked my car with their standard procedure (air bag + stick). took a few hours to disassemble to pop the hood... after AAA, car was good to go after 10 mins. :s
still unsure why my key doesn't unlock my car, will have to try with the battery hooked up now. otherwise I'll check the linkages and actuator.
although this was for a C, I dont see why it wouldn't be relevant for other priuses. God forbid toyota use the same parts for different cars!

 

I re-read your previous post (#10) to refresh my memory. I've had several doors apart that had power locks. Every one of them had a mechanical connection between the key operated lock and the actual locking mechanism. When you turn the key, a it pushes or pulls a rod or cable that moves the lock open or closed. It does not use the linear actuator (electric motor) so that if it fails, you have a mechanical backup. If you can turn the key 90° in either direction, I'd be looking inside the door to see what fell apart in there.