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[Z06] Keys please.......

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Old Dec 13, 2004 | 04:42 PM
  #1  
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Default Keys please.......

I know there is a trick, but it didnt work for me.
I was at the car wash today, and in my rush I accidently locked my keys in the car..... along with my coat, cell phone, and cigarettes. Let me tell you I was pissed! I thought "OK, dont panic. Just shake the car around and it will recognize that the keys are inside, and unlock."
Bull-ca-ca! That doesnt work. I finally found someone that had a METAL coat hanger in his car. Nobody has metal coat hangers. Just plastic.........

So I easily worked it in from the backside and pulled the lock handle, of course setting off the alarm, but fixed that when I had the key fob in my hand again.

I had heard there is a way to get the keys out when they are locked in without going through this nightmare. What is it?

P.S. This is the first time I have locked my keys in a car since.......1982.......I think......

Talk about eating humble pie......
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Old Dec 13, 2004 | 04:51 PM
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The shaking thing only works if you have the passive entry feature. My parents' '99 vert has it, but my Z doesn't. Not sure when they stopped using it.
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Old Dec 14, 2004 | 09:35 AM
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I think the passive entry feature died in either 99 or 2000. I can't remember which year exactly. No Z has it though.
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Old Dec 14, 2004 | 09:46 AM
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Originally Posted by quickie350
I know there is a trick, but it didnt work for me.
I was at the car wash today, and in my rush I accidently locked my keys in the car..... along with my coat, cell phone, and cigarettes. Let me tell you I was pissed! I thought "OK, dont panic. Just shake the car around and it will recognize that the keys are inside, and unlock."
Bull-ca-ca! That doesnt work. I finally found someone that had a METAL coat hanger in his car. Nobody has metal coat hangers. Just plastic.........

So I easily worked it in from the backside and pulled the lock handle, of course setting off the alarm, but fixed that when I had the key fob in my hand again.

I had heard there is a way to get the keys out when they are locked in without going through this nightmare. What is it?

P.S. This is the first time I have locked my keys in a car since.......1982.......I think......

Talk about eating humble pie......
No coat hangar needed--just unscrew the radio attenna,pull the top of the window out with your fingers and use the attenna mast to stab the lock button on the door panel.
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Old Dec 14, 2004 | 09:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Z11409
No coat hangar needed--just unscrew the radio attenna,pull the top of the window out with your fingers and use the attenna mast to stab the lock button on the door panel.
What do you do if you replace the stock ( Flag Pole attenna) with a after market shorty attenna?
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Old Dec 14, 2004 | 01:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Morzoff
What do you do if you replace the stock ( Flag Pole attenna) with a after market shorty attenna?
Then use the coat hangar. Shows how safe these cars are against an amateur no less a professional thief. Yeah I know it allegedly can't be started, but the interior can be stripped at the least and the smart guys know how to by-pass the security system and start the car.

I was once a repossessor and understand how simple it is.

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Old Dec 14, 2004 | 02:59 PM
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Yeah my Girlfriend decided to hit the lock button on my car while it was running in the Driveway. It took me all of 15 seconds to pop a coat hanger in there and unlock it!! I gues I might as well just leave it unlocked with the keys in it for now on with a sign that says: WHEEL LOCK IN CUP HOLDER, AND VORTECH UNDER HOOD!
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Old Dec 14, 2004 | 10:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Z11409
No coat hangar needed--just unscrew the radio attenna,pull the top of the window out with your fingers and use the attenna mast to stab the lock button on the door panel.
Nice..... I dont think Im gonna ever try that.
Actually it is easy to break into any car that has no window frames. That is a give-me. I like to be less brutal with my machinery.
It is good to know that its easy to break in to though.
I really dont know what they would do after breaking in.....
If the '357 Magnum was behind the seat then they would get that. I dont even think the CD player is worth much.
I prefer to keep my belongings to a minimum in the Z.



Anyway, I have been thinking of a way to mount a "metal" coat hanger underneath the car, since metal coat hangers are becoming more and more rare, just in case this ever happened again.
if the locksmith showed up and seen the vette he would have slammed me on costs for breaking into my own car. F%#K THAT!
I am hearing the costs are upwards to 45 to 50 bucks. Sorry but Im a cheapskate when it comes to things like that....

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Old Dec 15, 2004 | 09:46 PM
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I had a lot more trouble getting into our M3 that way - the windows have no frames, but they bump up when the door shuts, making a much tighter seal. At least now after reading this thread I know how to get into the vette when I lock my keys in it : )
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Old Dec 17, 2004 | 11:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Angella
I had a lot more trouble getting into our M3 that way - the windows have no frames, but they bump up when the door shuts, making a much tighter seal. At least now after reading this thread I know how to get into the vette when I lock my keys in it : )
The real trick is finding a 'metal' coat hanger.......


The world has gone plastic........


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Old Dec 17, 2004 | 11:32 PM
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Have you guys ever heard of the "clapper" to turn on and off electrical lights?

Here is about the same thing for your car if you lock the keys inside, just knock on the window with your unique knock sequence to unlock the door.

Knock Knock


Last edited by JimBacus; Dec 17, 2004 at 11:38 PM.
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Old Dec 19, 2004 | 06:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Angella
I had a lot more trouble getting into our M3 that way - the windows have no frames, but they bump up when the door shuts, making a much tighter seal. At least now after reading this thread I know how to get into the vette when I lock my keys in it : )
All you need is a stepped plastic wedge. All the tow trucks guys, AAA, and repo guys have them. The wedge pries the door open and you use a metal coat hangar or screw driver to pull or push what is needed to open the door. Instead of 15 seconds this takes 30 - 40 seconds. A frame just makes it take 15 - 25 seconds longer, no big deal.
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Old Dec 20, 2004 | 01:36 AM
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Originally Posted by JimBacus
Have you guys ever heard of the "clapper" to turn on and off electrical lights?

Here is about the same thing for your car if you lock the keys inside, just knock on the window with your unique knock sequence to unlock the door.

Knock Knock


Dude! That is awesome. Now 99 bucks plus shipping is a little pricey compared to a coat hanger, but the idea is great. What is cool is if the keys are ever lost completely then it is still possible to access the car. I cant say that I have ever lost a set of car keys, but life is full of first time experiences....

The words, "Why didnt I think of that" are echoing through my head".....

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Old Dec 20, 2004 | 04:13 AM
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I carry a spare key inside my wallet
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Old Dec 20, 2004 | 05:00 AM
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A guy I knew drilled a hole in a spare key and mounted it behind his lic plate. All he needed then was a screwdriver.
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Old Dec 20, 2004 | 08:40 AM
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Originally Posted by QuikZilver
I think the passive entry feature died in either 99 or 2000. I can't remember which year exactly. No Z has it though.
AFAIK, the passive entry feature is provided by the FOB. If I'm not mistaken, the FOB has a builtin movement sensor and simply sends an "unlock door" signal when moved.

I think you're right about 99 being the last year such FOBs were provided. I guess it is possible to get the feature in any C5 if you just get hold of one of these FOBs on eBay or wherever...

If I recall correctly, Chevy stopped providing them because they were error prone (drained the batteries?). I'm sure a forum search would give you all the details...

Last edited by pnielsen; Dec 20, 2004 at 08:45 AM.
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Old Dec 20, 2004 | 08:46 AM
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Originally Posted by QuikZilver
I think the passive entry feature died in either 99 or 2000. I can't remember which year exactly. No Z has it though.
AFAIK, the passive entry feature is provided by the FOB. If I'm not mistaken, the FOB has a builtin movement sensor and simply sends an "unlock door" signal when moved.

I think you're right about 99 being the last year such FOBs were provided. I guess it is possible to get the feature in any C5 if you just get hold of one of these FOBs on eBay or wherever...

If I recall correctly, Chevy stopped providing them because they were error prone (drained the batteries?). I'm sure a forum search would give you all the details...
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