2004 Avalon - Key locks door, but won't unlock?

[Toyollac]

G'day All,

Another issue I found...

My Avalon came with 3 sets of keys. 

I'm currently using only 1 of the keys.

One time I decided not to bring the keyfob to lock/unlock the car (bad idea) 

I turned off the car, closed the door, and locked the car with the key.

Then I put the key back inside the door to try and unlock it... after applying slight force, it just wouldn't open.  When I turned it clockwise to the lock position, it would beep twice, and nothing would happen.

Can someone tell me why this key will start my car, lock my car door, but not unlock my car door?  I'm nervous that one day if the key fob fails... well what the **** do I do then?  It just made no sense to me.  Is it not the master key or something?

 

Any ideas?

[Tony Prodigy]

15 hours ago, Toyollac said:

Then I put the key back inside the door to try and unlock it... after applying slight force, it just wouldn't open.  When I turned it clockwise to the lock position, it would beep twice, and nothing would happen.

Have you tried spraying some WD40 inside the key hole ? It could just have a sticky key mech. As the key is rarely used in most cases with fobbed entry cars, the grease tends to harden over time casuing the linkage to stick.  Failing that, you may need to take the door card off and inspect the linkage and door actuation mech. There is a mechanical obstruction occuring.

[Toyollac]

Put some Graphite powder in the door locks - all fixed.  You're right, it just hadn't been used in many years.

I didn't want to put too much force on it initially... I tend to baby things a little too much.

 

Thank you.