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[duke101]

My ignition key had become awkward to turn, requiring a good amount of jiggling to start the car so I decided today I had better follow the guides and sort it out....which I managed ok. On refitting the barrel in the steering lock housing I accidentally pressed the lock button and locked the doors although the drivers door was still open. As I left to fetch a screwdriver todays high winds blew the door closed and I was locked out with my key in the ignition lock and I have no spare. So now I am locked out of the car. I have now got back in and retrieved my keys by the best method I could think of at the time. However I am wondering if there is a way of getting in I didn't consider that would not have caused any damage. My car is a 2000 V6 ESTATE

[zirk]

There is, but in my view, its not something that should be discussed on an open Forum.

[duke101]

Re: LOCKED MYSELF OUT!

« Reply #1 on: Today at 19:11:07 »

ReplyQuote
There is, but in my view, its not something that should be discussed on an open Forum.

Could you enlighten me in private then?

[zirk]

Re: LOCKED MYSELF OUT!

« Reply #1 on: Today at 19:11:07 »

ReplyQuote
There is, but in my view, its not something that should be discussed on an open Forum.

Could you enlighten me in private then?

But your back in, no?

[duke101]

Yes I am now but if it happens again I would like to get in without causing damage

[STEMO]

Yes I am now but if it happens again I would like to get in without causing damage

If you manage to lock yourself out again, you deserve to be left on the street.

[Nick W]

Yes I am now but if it happens again I would like to get in without causing damage

Go to the nearest, cheapest place that will cut  a key. What you're asking for won't need an immobiliser chip. Put a marked fob on it, and hang it somewhere safe. Personally, I would ensure that it starts the car, but that will cost you a bit more.

[duke101]

Am I missing something here? I have asked for help how to get inside my car without the key if I'm locked out. Simple question I thought......seems I'm wrong.
Go to the nearest, cheapest place that will cut  a key.

That is advice I didn't need, I'm not simple and well aware I can do that....but its no help if I'm locked out nowhere near where a spare key is hanging is it!

Ive been a member of this forum for years and posted a simple question for some help....is it so difficult to actually answer the question I asked? I know for certain I am not the first member to ask it .

[Nick W]

Well it is the quickest, easiest way of gaining access that is guaranteed to work and do no damage. Probably cheaper if you don't have any suitable equipment to break in yourself.


If you had rung your breakdown provider, the operative would have had you sign a disclaimer resolving them of any damage, and wouldn't guarantee access either.

[duke101]

Nick, Even if i had a duplicate key cut i would not carry it around with me everywhere i went...this is the first time ever it has happened so it really is an infrequent event (i hope)   only really happened because i was repairing the ignition lock.

[05omegav6]

Nick, Even if i had a duplicate key cut i would not carry it around with me everywhere i went...this is the first time ever it has happened so it really is an infrequent event (i hope)   only really happened because i was repairing the ignition lock.

In which case, your question is still moot

[duke101]

Indeed it is...just thankfull I didn't wait, get a taxi home and rely on getting help here to get in as there has been none. So much for helping each other out and that's what i was under the impression it was all about....still you live and learn.

[05omegav6]

As I recall, everyone who has ever asked the question has been given the same response...

If you can't understand why then that's reason enough for the advice you have been given...

If you only have one key, then getting a second one cut is sound advice. Had you stopped to consider this detail before you started on the ignition barrel then you wouldn't have been in your predicament in the first place...

[BazaJT]

Years ago they used to sell a magnetic "box",the idea being you put a spare key in it and then "stuck" it somewhere-wheel arch or whatever-for such a circumstance.Don't know how effective/reliable these were,but would a similar idea not be possible?Other than that if you're out and about and lock yourself out of the car surely you'd need to be carrying anything suggested to open the car without damage,so why not a spare key?

[Nick W]

OK, here is the helpful advice. Modern cars are very difficult(impossible in some cases) to open without a key even if you have a box of tools meant for the job - which I do. This is by design! The doors fit tightly, the lock mechanisms are shielded, deadlocks are common and if all the windows are electric you can't wind them down manually. All these things apply to Omegas, and so they are tricky.


Opening the car with a key is your best option. Which brings us back to having a spare that isn't in the car! Then your options revolve around getting the spare which is easier than moving a locked and otherwise immobile car. I did this for a customer who had locked their baby in the car; he had the idea of ringing his mother, but my suggestion of leaving her to watch the kid while I ran him home and collected the spare from his house half a mile away meant that the problem was solved quicker than any other way I know besides breaking a window. In 12 years of recovery work, I have never done that,and only had one job where the customer decided he was going to do it. Personally I think getting a replacement key cut from the VIN is a better route and is probably cheaper. I have met people stupid enough to carry their spare key on the same keyring.