C4 General Discussion General C4 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech

Access

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 9, 2018 | 04:04 PM
  #1  
RWAndersen's Avatar
RWAndersen
Thread Starter
4th Gear
 
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Default Access

My corvette has sat idle in my garage for a long period of time. I am unable to unlock or open the door. Can you offer any advice?
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2018 | 04:55 PM
  #2  
jvp's Avatar
jvp
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 10,445
Likes: 4,403
From: Northern VA
"Ask Tadge" Producer
Default

Originally Posted by RWAndersen
My corvette has sat idle in my garage for a long period of time. I am unable to unlock or open the door. Can you offer any advice?
What year car? This post will get moved accordingly.
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2018 | 05:03 PM
  #3  
RWAndersen's Avatar
RWAndersen
Thread Starter
4th Gear
 
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Default Access

Originally Posted by jvp
what year car? This post will get moved accordingly.
1985
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2018 | 05:35 PM
  #4  
Whaleman's Avatar
Whaleman
Safety Car
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4,206
Likes: 1,325
From: LeClaire Iowa
Default

Read your question. Not enough info. Do you have the key and it won't unlock or have you lost the key and are unable to unlock it?
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2018 | 05:52 PM
  #5  
RWAndersen's Avatar
RWAndersen
Thread Starter
4th Gear
 
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Default Access

Originally Posted by Whaleman
Read your question. Not enough info. Do you have the key and it won't unlock or have you lost the key and are unable to unlock it?
I have the key and it won't unlock.
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2018 | 06:11 PM
  #6  
DGXR's Avatar
DGXR
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,692
Likes: 349
From: Sacramento California
Default

Dry graphite lube is typically recommended for maintenance but that might not cut it this time. Might have to use something like WD-40. Sometimes you need to wiggle the key to get it in the correct tumbler position to unlock. Not sure why this happens, it just doesn't line up right every time. Also don't put a tool on the key to help turn it, you might break the key off. Last resort - I bet a mobile locksmith could get in quickly.

Last edited by DGXR; Apr 9, 2018 at 06:13 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2018 | 06:16 PM
  #7  
Mr. Peabody's Avatar
Mr. Peabody
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Default

but gosh don't spray too much of it in there just a 1-second squirt in both door locks, let sit for a hour and then give it a try.
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2018 | 06:28 PM
  #8  
Cruisinfanatic's Avatar
Cruisinfanatic
Le Mans Master
Supporting Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,228
Likes: 698
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Default

Originally Posted by RWAndersen
I have the key and it won't unlock.
both sides? Drivers side, turn all the way right to unlock
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 10, 2018 | 07:48 AM
  #9  
bac22's Avatar
bac22
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,061
Likes: 214
From: Epping NH
Default

Originally Posted by RWAndersen
I have the key and it won't unlock.
I find it hard to believe neither side will unlock with the key.

But I'll play along, you are aware there are 2 keys, one is ignition key and one is door key. Do you have a door and ignition key?

Last edited by bac22; Apr 10, 2018 at 07:48 AM.
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2018 | 09:23 AM
  #10  
RWAndersen's Avatar
RWAndersen
Thread Starter
4th Gear
 
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by bac22
I find it hard to believe neither side will unlock with the key.

But I'll play along, you are aware there are 2 keys, one is ignition key and one is door key. Do you have a door and ignition key?
I've had the car for 30 years, pretty sure I know the key difference. But thanks for playing along.
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2018 | 12:17 PM
  #11  
383vett's Avatar
383vett
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
Default

If the key will not work on either door, call the locksmith.
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2018 | 08:45 PM
  #12  
RollaMo-LT4's Avatar
RollaMo-LT4
Race Director
20 Year Member
St. Jude 15 Year Donor
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,772
Likes: 177
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
Default

Originally Posted by RWAndersen
I've had the car for 30 years, pretty sure I know the key difference. But thanks for playing along.
Just joining the forum, and with only 4 posts you should understand why that question was asked.

Don't be such a douche when someone points out something that so many new C4 owners don't know.

It was a legitimate question, and I have to agree with bac22.
It is very hard to believe that your key just suddenly won't work on both doors at the same time.
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2018 | 09:44 PM
  #13  
cv67's Avatar
cv67
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Default

Call AAA they will get it open in seconds & probably tell you whats wrong with it to boot.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Access





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:01 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE