Serendipitous! I don't know about your key, but I recently discovered that my electric fob thingy comes apart and there is a real non-electric key inside, in case the electronics fail. I never, ever would have known except when I took it for service, they took it apart and left me the brains and they took the manual key.

Also, the battery in the opener may be dead. Try a new battery before anything else.

I have a regular key. My car is an older model and I just use it for short trips around town because I don't trust it enough to go very far.

Oly, not all key fobs have a non electric key in them, actually only a few makes/models do. The most common failure in a key fob is indeed the battery . About 75% of key fobs take a single CR2032 but that also varies.

May, you can carefully pry the fob apart and replace the battery. I have changed hundreds of key fob batteries and it's easy peasy.

It's not an electronic key. I do have a key fob I've never used but I don't think it's programmed for my car. I kind of remember that the dealership needs to program it, so we'll need to call them. This lock issue seems to be a common problem with the Taurus from what I'm reading on the internet.

I swear there's an aura around Trader Joe's that makes magical things happen there.

We got all those things, Linelle. Should I throw them all in my car and see if the doors unlock?

The key unlocks the trunk, as does my backup key which I keep in my wallet, but neither unlocks the doors. My passenger door hasn't unlocked for a few years. I liked life better before electronics.

Wow! Don't you love it when stuff like that happens!

I'm assuming she has a trunk release button, along side of the fuel cap door release below the drivers sidearm rest.

I was so relieved! If I were religious, I would have thought it was my guardian angel. I even said to DH "What if I call the store and they say no one named Brett works here?"

It's nice that TJ employees are brave, honest, and trustworthy, but on the other side of this scenario. is anyone else creeped out by the easy availability of this tool and the ease of use? Anyone can break into your car!

Wow! You were the beneficiary of good synchronicity!

I'm glad it all worked out for you.

My DH has Jimmi jammers installed on his truck after being broken into and stuff stolen from it. Wouldn't help in the case of needing to unlock it like you did, but ....

Yep, I found out that locks mean nothing. He had a flat metal bar that you slide down through the window until it hits the lock, which unlocks manual locks. For my power locks, he used a wedge at the top of the window to make space for a metal wire contraption to slide through, which he manipulated until it reached my door handle, hooked it, gave it a twist, and it pulled the handle up, opening the door. It took seconds to use both. He thought it was a manual lock at first.

He was very personable like all TJ employees, otherwise I might be suspicious.

A lucky day for you mayflowers ;)

I watched a policeman do the same for an older gentleman, in the rain, at Safeway the other day. They were both wet, I almost felt like I should offer to stand and hold an umbrella over them. And I didn't think our policestaff unlocked cars anymore, apparently they do, I'd been told our taxi fleet carries the tool in the taxis and they can be called (for a fee).

I had to get my TJ cherries home, morz. Did you ever make your pie?

The store manager called to thank me for my email. That was unexpected.

There should be a "release button" on the key fob, which allows you to slide your electronic fob of, exposing an actual metal key inside. Usually the key is used for locking your trunk and/or glove box (for cars with electronic ignitions, you'd only have to leave the electronic fob portion with a valet or parking garage attendant). But I think the metal key portion can be used for locking/unlocking the car door (driver's side handle should have a key lock on it), in cases where the key fob battery needs replacing.

The Ford dealership said to try some silicone spray, which did unlock both doors.

A serendipitous conclusion to a bad event!

That is really cool the way it worked out. Question, where are you spraying the silicone? On my truck, some of the locks are not always working with the button and I would love if there was an easy solution such as silicone spray. Naturally, the 1 time I left my keys in the truck at my boys school is one all 4 doors locked, but that is not always the case.

DH put the key in part way, sprayed the key and lock, and moved the key in and out. The passenger door, which hasn't opened with a key for a few years, took a few tries.

I keep Lockeez on hand (the bottle I have is probably 20 years old) and use it whenever there is a lock problem. I just fixed my truck locks and my daughter in law's front door lock with it. I think it's graphite, not silicone. I do the same, drop it onto the key and slip it in the locks and repeat until it's easy to open.

Alas, my issue is with the power locks. It is variable as to whether or not all of the doors will unlock. At least with the front doors, I can use the key but to unlock the back door, one has to twist around to pull it up because of course the doors in back do not automatically open with the handle. It is an inconvenience with the kids but at least not an insurmountable one.