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Key Fob fell into a black hole.

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by The Californian, Dec 18, 2020.

  1. Dec 18, 2020 at 6:56 AM
    #1
    The Californian

    The Californian [OP] Good Vibes Only

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    What a wonderful start to my morning.

    I was loading some stuff into the bed of my truck this morning and had set my key fob on top of my diamondback cover. I needed to open the diamondback, and after lifting it heard the fob sliding - but didn’t think much of it until I realized it had slid all the way forward and dropped down into the gap between the cab, and the bed. I looked there and saw it stuck sideways so I tried to knock it out, but only ended up loosening it to drop all the way down into somewhere between there, and the ground - but it did not go all the way to the ground. I looked around with a flashlight, couldn’t see anything. So I grabbed my backup, and ripped around the block a couple of times hoping it would fall out - but no such luck.

    I had to leave for work, so I just took off after no success. I don’t exactly know what it looks like under the bed to know if it could possibly be stuck somewhere secure, but my drive to work today was about 30 minutes on the highway.

    Anyone know if there’s a chance it’s still stuck there somewhere? If so how would I get it? It’s not close enough to be recognized by the truck to open doors or start it.

    If it’s likely gone, what’s my best option at getting a replacement? I still have the physical key that goes into it, as I had separated them to unlock the tailgate.
     
    Darkness likes this.
  2. Dec 18, 2020 at 7:04 AM
    #2
    AZTundra

    AZTundra No Longer a New Member

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    Any pictures of the area it fell into?
     
    The Californian[OP] likes this.
  3. Dec 18, 2020 at 7:14 AM
    #3
    frichco228

    frichco228 Valued Member

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    Darkness and The Californian[OP] like this.
  4. Dec 18, 2020 at 7:15 AM
    #4
    GravityGear

    GravityGear Parking Lot Prerunner

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    I say f that noise. It could be a 5 minute job with a mirror and flexible reaching grabber thing, or a 50 hour job removing the bed, gas tank, cab, whatever. Just grab a new one and never do whatever you did again.

    https://www.remotesremotes.com/Default.asp
     
    Tundra2 likes this.
  5. Dec 18, 2020 at 7:20 AM
    #5
    Bammer

    Bammer I'm disinclined to acquiesce your request.

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    Best of luck with the search !
     
    The Californian[OP] likes this.
  6. Dec 18, 2020 at 7:48 AM
    #6
    widetrax

    widetrax New Member

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    What is the next step? I have also lost a remote, and need a new one. Buy one and then go to the dealer to get it programmed? Can a locksmith do this also? [ for a 2021 1794 ]
     
  7. Dec 18, 2020 at 7:49 AM
    #7
    GravityGear

    GravityGear Parking Lot Prerunner

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  8. Dec 18, 2020 at 7:52 AM
    #8
    pv355

    pv355 New Member

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    There's not too many spots it could have landed on. Top of the gas tank? Or gas tank heat shield?

    I had a local locksmith cut and program a key for me. I think it was around $100 for a 2018 style key.
     
  9. Dec 18, 2020 at 7:53 AM
    #9
    The Californian

    The Californian [OP] Good Vibes Only

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    Fell in where my finger is pointing.

    4E9048BB-0AEE-45F6-B6B9-82A184C2F339.jpg
    089B8F7C-0255-45B5-9CA3-45FAF940E444.jpg
     
    AZTundra[QUOTED] likes this.
  10. Dec 18, 2020 at 7:55 AM
    #10
    MentalBill

    MentalBill Mental in every state.

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  11. Dec 18, 2020 at 7:59 AM
    #11
    GravityGear

    GravityGear Parking Lot Prerunner

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    Sure I suppose. I mean, you're giving the valet your keys. If you inadvertently give them your master key and they go have it cloned along with your remote, it would be the same thing.

    You would need to have possession of the vehicle to use it as it goes into your obd2 port.
     
  12. Dec 18, 2020 at 8:01 AM
    #12
    pv355

    pv355 New Member

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    That's right around where the gas tank is.
     
  13. Dec 18, 2020 at 8:03 AM
    #13
    Jaypown

    Jaypown New Member

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    Have you gotten up underneath and tried to look around?
     
    The Californian[OP] likes this.
  14. Dec 18, 2020 at 8:04 AM
    #14
    AZTundra

    AZTundra No Longer a New Member

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    Can't imagine there are too many places it could have landed down there. Agree that an extendable mirror tool might help assist in locating it.
     
    The Californian[OP] likes this.
  15. Dec 18, 2020 at 8:06 AM
    #15
    DIYDad

    DIYDad New Member

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    New tool time... a cheap video borescope would cost less than a new key. some have a hook attachment so you can grab what the camera sees...

    and if that's a push-to start truck, you may need to retrieve that key anyway to prevent any random passerby from driving off with your truck!
     
  16. Dec 18, 2020 at 8:24 AM
    #16
    The Californian

    The Californian [OP] Good Vibes Only

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    Thankfully, wherever it landed it's not close enough to be used to unlock, or start the truck. Just ordered a borescope with a grabber for same day delivery.
     
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  17. Dec 18, 2020 at 8:27 AM
    #17
    timsp8

    timsp8 Former Tundra owner for 13 years

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    Sure it didn’t fall on the ground? Did you check your driveway and the road leaving your house? It might have rattled loose and fallen all the way down.
     
  18. Dec 18, 2020 at 8:47 AM
    #18
    danz75

    danz75 New Member

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    Its possible that it either landed on top of the gas tank or is wedged between the gas tank and the heat shield. Heat shield is attached to gas tank by a few small bolts. Its not much effort to start there first.
     
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  19. Dec 18, 2020 at 8:55 AM
    #19
    pv355

    pv355 New Member

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    You should be able to just reach you hand in there if you're laying on the ground under the truck.
     
  20. Dec 18, 2020 at 10:40 AM
    #20
    The Californian

    The Californian [OP] Good Vibes Only

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    You can do it through the dealership, or through a locksmith - either will work as long as the locksmith has the tools for it. The best price I found in the fob alone was through Toyota of Cool Springs for $120.

    It was still dark outside when it happened, got a chance to look at it when I got home and my wife was able to grab it. Crisis averted.

    Totally didn’t think of that.
    That’s precisely where it ended up, my wife was able to slide her hand in there and grab it.
    Once the sun was up and there was some light I was able to see it, my wife was able to slide her hand in there and grab it.
     
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  21. Dec 18, 2020 at 10:59 AM
    #21
    Jaypown

    Jaypown New Member

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    Lucked out for you!
     
  22. Dec 18, 2020 at 11:09 AM
    #22
    dittothat

    dittothat New Member

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    If borescope doesn’t work here’s the proper order of operations:
    1) buy all new skids (including gas tank) and look for key while installing.
    2) since you’re already working around the gas tank might as well loosen the strap and jiggle it to see if the key falls out. While the strap is loose install some rock sliders.
    3) if 1 and 2 fail, upgrade to the Lexus credit card sized wallet key, have it programmed to your truck and be happy with purchases in 1,2 and 3.
     
  23. Dec 18, 2020 at 11:33 AM
    #23
    MentalBill

    MentalBill Mental in every state.

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    Saw Gone in 60 seconds to many times.

    Happy ending to this story.
     
  24. Dec 18, 2020 at 11:37 AM
    #24
    The Californian

    The Californian [OP] Good Vibes Only

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    Wait, is #3 a real option? I’d love to swap my fob out for a card sized key.
     
  25. Dec 18, 2020 at 11:51 AM
    #25
    dittothat

    dittothat New Member

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