jayinnh

2001
locked both keys in, tryed shaking it side to side didn’t work... any tips before I pay a locksmith?

1999corvettels1

First off, if you have towing insurance, lockouts are probably included.

Usually the tow driver has a "lock out kit" and will have some plastic wedge spacers, slip the tool down between the glass and seal, go down, pull back up so tool is coming up inside the window glass, will play with it until they get it to hit your unlock button.

You could try doing something on your own, but may scratch or break glass or something. Check your policy if you have towing.

1999corvettels1

I towed for about 6 months in 2003, and unlocked a lot of cars.

After buying C5 Convertible, I was paranoid how easy someone could get in, not sure about non convertible C5, but window could probably be gently pried back and a tool inserted, aiming for the unlock button.

Helped my brother on his 2001 GMC Sierra with keys lossed on River, up at Salt River Tubing, and he was visiting from Texas, his spare key home in Texas.

I brought wash cloths to protect trucks paint while wedging top of door frame with paint stirring sticks, a piece of water spare line tubing for refrigerator water hook up (that was leftover from a plumbing project), put a piece of a metal rod inside, I think it was for making shish kabobs on grill, that added rigidity to water tubing to point it at unlock button, and had a curled end sticking out of shish kabob(probably to rotate them on grille), it took probably a hour but we got it unlocked.

Also brought paint stirring sticks to help wedge and gently pry top of door frame open.

Next after opening door, locksmith shop lady said if we take off door handle assembly and bring into shop, they could make key off that lock

The owner of store who helped us was mad at her, because she didn't know that there are several options of keys that would open the door, but not work on ignition tumbler, he told us some cars have 50 or so possibilities, his truck had 9, so he made 9 keys, it was right under $100.00 and more than one key worked to start the truck, but one was harder to slide in and turn.

Being up at Salt River Tubing it's remote and slightly far from Mesa, Arizona, it's part of the Tonto National Forrest, it would have been $350.00 for them to come out and make keys on site in their mobile shop.

Jackie N

Since proper advice has already been given........

Evil-Twin

You can not shake a C5 that does not have a passive key fob (* 97-99 ) . You can not pry the window open without destroying the window lock clip. If the lock guy pry's this window open a breaks that clip, you will forever have wind noise coming from that window,

Most locksmith are not aware of this necessary clip, before the break it. Be very careful.



Good luck
Bill aka ET

001pewter

Metal coat hanger, first try only took a couple mins. Went in from the rear of the window.

~Josh

A tip is to put masking tape covering the paint on the b-pillar so while you’re monkeying around with various homemade tools you don’t make a more expensive problem than you started with.

You can take the title to a dealer proving its yours and they’ll cut a key.

rrwirsi

Hopefully, you can unlock it without breaking anything or spending a lot of money. For future consideration. After locking my keys in the car and having my wife drive 30 miles with the second set, I now keep a door lock only key in my wallet. It is much smaller then the ignition key so I do not notice it.

jcgunn

I managed to do that a while back (with the engine running no less). They got the door open in about 90 seconds by using a plastic wedge on the weather stripping a coat hanger wire to press the unlock button on the armrest. [mine is a vert]

jayinnh

Thanks for all the help
i pryed the window open a bit and got the unlock button with a yard stick..
easy peasy!

captaineddie

Can you go to a Chevrolet dealer with the VIN and title (to show you actually own the car) and get a key made?

dbgoodwin

not possible. Your window lock clip is irreversibly damaged now.

May as well donate your car to me

wrmiles

I did that on a road trip. Locksmith made a key from the VIN (wouldn't' work in ignition, only unlock door). Cost about $50.

MikeG37

FRCs and Z06s have a built in unlocking tool. If you ever need it you'll hate yourself for having swapped it out for a shorty

Jistari

Yup, just a regular key (without the pellet) will open door but not start the car). I kept mine in my wallet but there is no reason you cant secret one on the vehicle.....

I never tried on my C5 but I've opened many cars over the years......cand imagine a 2004 and older C5 would not be easy to open.
.

Jistari

Ahead of time....it about $4 at home depot....

Dave's 1st Corvette

Jistari is correct. I also have one in my wallet, and one in my locker at work, and one in a drawer at home. Did that the first week after buying it. Everybody should go out and do this tomorrow.

ramairbrc

I've done that for years with various Trans Ams that I've owned. I visited a locksmith a couple days ago, and they made a door only key which now resides in my wallet. Best $2.50 you will spend!

SG Lou

Keep a spare set in the house and you won't have this problem.

EuwingKelly

I had done the same and had the spare from locksmith washington dc when got the original one. It really helped m during an emergency.