Key Fob fell into a black hole.

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.

 

Any pictures of the area it fell into?

 

You are going to have to crawl under there and look around. As far as a replacement, Toyota can help and there are other companies that sell them.

Here https://www.carandtruckremotes.com/toyota-remotes-tundra-remotes.html

https://www.batteriesplus.com/service/key-fob-replacement/toyota/tundra

 

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

 

Best of luck with the search !

 

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 ]

 

I had some luck with this, but YMMV. It works for some and not for others. It's returnable though since it's sold by Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Lucky-Seven-...-18986--8-1---&vehicleName=2014+Toyota+Tundra

 

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.

 

Fell in where my finger is pointing.

 

Would this work to steal cars/trucks. Like if a valet used it? Sorry Small thread hijack.

 

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.

 

That's right around where the gas tank is.

 

Have you gotten up underneath and tried to look around?

 

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.

 

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!

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

You should be able to just reach you hand in there if you're laying on the ground under the truck.

 

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.

 

Lucked out for you!

 

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.

 

Saw Gone in 60 seconds to many times.

Happy ending to this story.

 

Wait, is #3 a real option? I’d love to swap my fob out for a card sized key.

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/lexus-credit-card-key-works-in-2020-tundra.70321/