I searched this Tacoma forum and did not find any posts regarding my problem. I purchased my '96 Tacoma used about six years ago and neither of the two keys supplied have ever worked well or smoothly in the doors/ignition/gas cap lock. Neither of the keys appear to be factory supplied but are made from Toyota blanks. I had a problem New Year's Eve when the key would only move to the first position (the ACC position) and of course would not start the vehicle. I towed the truck home and did a little reading on the internet. Unfortunately I tried a third key we had made for a spare years ago, and now can't remove the key or turn it to even the ACC position. From what I have read the tumble can be removed IF the key can be turned to the ACC position, true? Before I tried this spare key, I had planned to get a key made at the dealer using the VIN number, then if that did not fix the problem replace the tumbler. From what I have read the tumbler pulls out (if the key can be turned to the ACC position) while pushing a release pin (which I have found). What is strange about my current situation is the steering wheel is NOT locked, even though the ignition currently has the spare (non-Toyota spare) key in the off position and the key can NOT be removed. Note to my questions:

The two keys we received with the Tacoma have numbers X217/TR47 markings (which appear to at least be Toyota blanks). Are these original factory keys or after market keys? These two keys are visibly not cut the same on both sides or match key-to-key, I presume these are probably NOT the original factory keys? Since I now have our spare key in the ignition (the one WITHOUT the X217/TR47 markings) and can't turn it to the ACC position, remove it while in the off position and the steering wheel is NOT locked (should be locked in the off position), what are my options???? Sure wish I had not tried our spare key because I believe I have made my situation worse.

Any advice would be greatly Appreciated!!!
Happy New Year Forum Members!!
Regards, Ron

Well I got the spare key out by tapping on the aluminum housing while pulling/wiggling the key. Had a new key made for the ignition using the VIN number at the Toyota dealer. This key works better in the doors/gas lid; however, still would not go past the ACC position. I pulled the tumbler assembly (it is huge, not just the key tumbler I expected) and need to get a replacement. Any recommendations on a good place to order the ignition assembly? I plan to start the Tacoma using a pair of long nose pliers and park it in the garage until the new part arrives. This assumes I can get the part a fair bit cheaper online than from the dealer. The dealer is asking $105 for the part.

Still take any advice and I hope my follow-up helps someone else on the forum...

Just called Checker Auto they have it for $72 and it is in stock.


Regards, Ron

Just a quick note, if this happens to you and you have a 10mm socket and a Phillips screwdriver. Remove the kick plate under the drivers side dash (3 bolts and 1 screw), pop out the cover around the ignition key, move the key to the ACC position, push the release pin on the underside of the ignition housing and pull out the assembly. After pulling out the ignition assembly, you can start the vehicle using a pair on long nose pliers. The best news is the steering wheel is not locked (or as least it was not in my case). If I had known this, I would not have been stranded and had to leave my vehicle along the highway out in the middle of nowhere overnight. It cost me more for the ride home and the towing than it did for the replacement part.

Thanks first of all for continuing to post updates with your problem. Getting that cylinder out is a bit different than the older Toys in that you'd put a paperclip into the little hole that was visible on the cylinder assembly, turn the key, and pop it off of there; no dash disassembly was needed.

If you were to opt for another key fob in the future, Toyota has the TSB for programming the key fob available.

If you need components, go to www.car-part.com to see what the junkyards have available. These days the key code should be stamped on the cylinders if you can't get the donor VIN from the seller.