Boot Locked in Valet Mode ( - )

[Zeppozen]

1991 rev 1

Boot Lock stiff so twisted accidentally onto what seems Valet mode.

Cant budge it. tried WD and black handles key as well as silver metal key. nowt.
Does anyone have experience of success by just wiggling and WD40 ?
or is orf to the drill and hack it ?

Any suggestions or experience is welcome.

my passenger door locked and wouldnt unlock ( but did when i unlocked boot ?? so was trying same again and now have boot and passenger door locked and MOT imminent !! )

Any help appreciated

[thomp1983]

Funny enough ive just had to do this today. My lock wouldn't open i got in by destroying the centre panel and drilling a hole that allowed me to manually activate the latch there isn't really another way

[Zeppozen]

Did the lock work again ? ie. did it reset so you could still use it with the norml keys. ?

Can I just remove the "MR2 " lettering part of rear panel and drill thro that ?

did you have to use a coathanger type thing to get it ?

I cant be certain that I am using the correct keys. I have a large key for Drivers door, and other key for Ign, Boot and passenger door.

Non of which open the glove box ( master key ) .

Cant believe Toyota designed such a naff system to ensure your locked out.

[thomp1983]

The lettering would leave the hole too low, with the hole made you can operate the latch with your fingers.

With the lock removed you can reset it yes

[Zeppozen]

so I could possibly drill thro plastic in part between lettering and top and access it there ? ( without removing plastic ? )

[thomp1983]

No if you drill through at the level of the mr2 logo you won't be able to reach the latch

[Zeppozen]

sorry , I meant above the lettering and before the boot lid.

or above the actual barrel lock

I appreciate the reply.

[thomp1983]

That's where i drilled mine

[Zeppozen]

Thank you.

[thomp1983]

That's a 32mm hole you could get away with a 25mm hole i just had a 32 to hand

[auzzam]

this happened to me a few weeks ago. Hopefully this works for you what I had to do was turn the key slightly to the right when inserted then fully left to unlock it (almost like a rocking motion)

[Zeppozen]

Huge thanks to all who helped.

Panic over.

After trying to establish if I had a master key ( which key was the right one) figured if it locked it in Valet it should open it.

( this gave me confidence to keep using more force )

So more GT80 into lock to clean it out. Quick drive around town on cobbles hoping that would rattle the b1tch.

Tried the key again wiggling, lifting and twisting (while pulling and pushing on boot lid as well .) when suddenly it popped open !!

It has always been hit or miss as to whether it would open boot normally before so soaked it and soaked in WD40 / GT80.

worth noting for anyone in future....I took notes on how it opens.

I need to pull the key upwards and turn to open boot ( seems to be movement in the barrel or housing) if i dont lift the key= wont turn.

Therefore I know the movement to use if it ever gets locked in Valet again ( However it will be the interior pull handle from now on and seriously thinking of putting a plug / cover over the boot lock to stop me using it)

Anyhoo... Million thanks for replying and Im a very very jammy git to get it opened,

[raptor95GTS]

nice result!

[madbasshunter]

There is a very easy way to open the boot when its in valet mode (or cable snapped) without drilling holes or doing any damage, as I found out when I inadvertently put mine in valet mode when playing with the lock and a solenoid in the boot
A bit of thought and a spare car to look at meant I was in in less than 5 minutes which is scary obviously I won't put the details up publicly but if anyone needs it pm me on here or FB and I will tell you how

[thomp1983]

Can you pm me it id like to know even though ive now made the hole

Chris

[madbasshunter]

Can you pm me it id like to know even though ive now made the hole

Chris

You have a pm

[Willenium]

I still don't see the point of designing it to become rendered unusable by turning the key the opposite way. Couldn't it just have been made so you could turn it the other way to deadlock the bootlid meaning it cannot be opened with the lever but could be released normally with the key afterwards

[thomp1983]

The design is fine the only change would be having all the keys able to release it from valet mode not just the master as few cars have all the keys now

The issue is compounded by the lock rarely being used and becoming stiff and the key being worn with age whereas the boot lock hasn't

[madbasshunter]

A couple of pictures to show how valet mode works for those who don't know

In normal position the lug (quarter of a circle) hold the metal link (the cable pulls on) in place with the release lever.



In valet mode the lug moves round releasing the link so the cable can pull it but its not connected to the release lever



As I said I accidentally twisted the lug from inside the boot before shutting it


and had to learn how it worked
Then worked out the addition of a cable tie will mean it can always be opened by the cable

[JLW]

Hahah had this issue not that long back ,DPM auto body stuck a load of stuff in the boot of my car when I
had some things painted and then shut the boot and turned the key to the left.

When I turned up to collect I couldn't understand why it
wouldn't open etc, re-searched the issue and discovered "Valet mode" I called Toyota and tried to get an understanding but no luck.

Then after more searching on the old interweb we realised that they only way around this was to obtain a master key,
obviously I didn't have one and it was most probably lost a millennia ago.

However I called the first auto locksmith that I came across on google for my area, and boy am I glad I did.
The guy properly looked into what was needed to be done and cut a master key based on a whats app photo of my main key by hand !!
collected it for £40 and works every time. legend !!

Let me know if anyone wants his details !