Locked out

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Oct 28, 2004 | 01:41 PM

loflyin

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 176

Likes: 0

From: Columbia SC

Locked out

OK guys, need some help here. Have you ever closed the door only to realize the keys are still in the ignition 1/2 second too late? I just did. Have a slim jim, but need some help as to how to break into my own car, which is more difficult than I thought. 1986 coupe, electric door locks, no aftermarket alarm. I am at work and need some stuff out of the car - I'm looking at it in the passenger seat! Thanks for any ideas!

Oct 28, 2004 | 02:01 PM

n1kki6

Le Mans Master

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 8,740

Likes: 2

From: Minneapolis MN

edit: oops i thought it said 96'

Last edited by n1kki6; Oct 28, 2004 at 02:17 PM.

Oct 28, 2004 | 02:09 PM

Strike3

Burning Brakes

Joined: Feb 2001

Posts: 769

Likes: 0

From: Granbury TX

Locked out

Normally, a slim-jim isn't all it's cracked up to be. Your best bet might be to grab the power door lock solonoid shaft. It runs up and down. It's very deep in the door and about a foot from the back edge and to the inside. You may have to put a 90 degree bend about 2 to 3 inches from the bottem of the slim jim. It'll have to be a radioused bend to allow you to slip it between the weatherstrip and the glass. A book of matches or some other such object wedged between the weatherstrip and your window to hold them apart and provide some working room, helps eminsly. With a good space and a bright flashlight you might be able to see the solonoid in the bottem of the door. The shaft has a corrogated rubber boot around it but on a car as old as yours it's usually shreading to pieces already. You need to grab that shaft or the lever/rod it attaches to and lift up.

Oct 28, 2004 | 02:29 PM

bogus

Team Owner

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 40,156

Likes: 45

From: San Pedro CA

it's easier to pull the window back from the top and slip a coat hanger in.

Oct 28, 2004 | 02:34 PM

loflyin

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 176

Likes: 0

From: Columbia SC

Thanks everybody, but once I got my hands on a metal coathanger, it only took about 30 seconds and three bends to access the power door lock switch and then that sweet "click" sound (with no damage to weatherstrip or paint, etc.). Now I understand how easily they are stolen!! Oh well, until the next crisis....

Oct 28, 2004 | 02:38 PM

65Z01

Team Owner

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 90,675

Likes: 304

From: SE NY

Cruise-In II Veteran

To avoid the next crisis, I suggest you have your local Chevy dealer cut you another set of keys and carry on set in each front pocket.

I do this and no longer get that sinking feeling when I glance backed and see my keys in the ignition with the door locked.