Screwed or what?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 18,099
Likes: 1,597
This is going to sound stupid and crazy, but trust me, it works. Ask me how I know.
Remove outboard driver side rear tail light (1 screw at the very top of the tail light). Let it hang (put a towel between the light and car to keep from scratching car). Drill a small hole left of center through the back of the car. Its only carpet and backing plus rear of car and will never be seen again.
Take a clothes hanger and put a small bend on the end. Have someone with a flashlight stand at the passenger side front windshield and shine the light on the door pull in the rear compartment. Grab the pull with the clothes hanger and pull. Drivers door will open.
Mat down carpet where the hole is and put some black silicone on the inside where the tail light goes to fill in the hole. Replace tail light. Done.
If you have any questions, feel free to call me 903-490-6010. I will be glad to help.
Remove outboard driver side rear tail light (1 screw at the very top of the tail light). Let it hang (put a towel between the light and car to keep from scratching car). Drill a small hole left of center through the back of the car. Its only carpet and backing plus rear of car and will never be seen again.
Take a clothes hanger and put a small bend on the end. Have someone with a flashlight stand at the passenger side front windshield and shine the light on the door pull in the rear compartment. Grab the pull with the clothes hanger and pull. Drivers door will open.
Mat down carpet where the hole is and put some black silicone on the inside where the tail light goes to fill in the hole. Replace tail light. Done.
If you have any questions, feel free to call me 903-490-6010. I will be glad to help.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,367
Likes: 211
From: Edgewood Washington
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
First, what makes you think both fob batteries are dead. Just because they are inside the locked car doesn't mean the doors can be opened from the outside.
You can take the VIN to the dealer and they can cut you a key. However, unless they know you, they will want some kind of proof of ownership, which may also be in the car.
The key may be a bit pricey, but you would have a spare that you can hide on the outside of the car.
The coat hanger through the trunk is a clever option, hopefully your pull-tab isn't buried too far under the carpet.
Unless OnStar is already activated, they can't help.
It has also been posted that some locksmiths have fished in through the door window and snagged the emergency pull lever on the floor next to the seat.
Good luck.
You can take the VIN to the dealer and they can cut you a key. However, unless they know you, they will want some kind of proof of ownership, which may also be in the car.
The key may be a bit pricey, but you would have a spare that you can hide on the outside of the car.
The coat hanger through the trunk is a clever option, hopefully your pull-tab isn't buried too far under the carpet.
Unless OnStar is already activated, they can't help.
It has also been posted that some locksmiths have fished in through the door window and snagged the emergency pull lever on the floor next to the seat.
Good luck.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 16,912
Likes: 5,372
From: T-Town WA
2016 C6 of Year Finalist
If not a AAA member just call a reputable tow outfit. They can come with their air-pumped wedge and slide it between the window top and the body, put a little air in it, slide a wire down inside and grab the emergency release on the floor. Works every time. No, it will not damage the window or the track.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 6,798
Likes: 25
From: Pine Bluff Arkansas
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21
This is going to sound stupid and crazy, but trust me, it works. Ask me how I know.
Remove outboard driver side rear tail light (1 screw at the very top of the tail light). Let it hang (put a towel between the light and car to keep from scratching car). Drill a small hole left of center through the back of the car. Its only carpet and backing plus rear of car and will never be seen again.
Take a clothes hanger and put a small bend on the end. Have someone with a flashlight stand at the passenger side front windshield and shine the light on the door pull in the rear compartment. Grab the pull with the clothes hanger and pull. Drivers door will open.
Mat down carpet where the hole is and put some black silicone on the inside where the tail light goes to fill in the hole. Replace tail light. Done.
If you have any questions, feel free to call me 903-490-6010. I will be glad to help.
Remove outboard driver side rear tail light (1 screw at the very top of the tail light). Let it hang (put a towel between the light and car to keep from scratching car). Drill a small hole left of center through the back of the car. Its only carpet and backing plus rear of car and will never be seen again.
Take a clothes hanger and put a small bend on the end. Have someone with a flashlight stand at the passenger side front windshield and shine the light on the door pull in the rear compartment. Grab the pull with the clothes hanger and pull. Drivers door will open.
Mat down carpet where the hole is and put some black silicone on the inside where the tail light goes to fill in the hole. Replace tail light. Done.
If you have any questions, feel free to call me 903-490-6010. I will be glad to help.
That's a good one Reggie, I'll have to remember that, and I will not leave any of my 8 track tapes in the Vette when you are around.
Last edited by lebvette; Feb 10, 2014 at 07:05 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 26
From: Austin Texas
OK lets get this out of the way right off the bat, I’m a dumb azz. Now we can move forward. Both my key FOBs are in my 2011 vette and evidently the batteries went dead on both. The car is locked and the doors securely shut. So, now what, go to the dealership and purchase a new key FOB, anyone have an idea of what they cost? Thanks for any advice, it’s a mistake I won’t make again.
Might be expensive but nothing gets damaged doing it that way.
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 105
From: Southport North Carolina
OP, I went to the dealer with my registration card and a blank uncut key. By using my VIN number he cut a new key in 5 minutes. free
Just go to the dealer with proof of car ownership/vin number and they will cut you a new key. Very easy and cheap...
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Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 15
From: Mechanicsburg PA
Central PA Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
FYI: If you are willing to wait a few days to save alot of money in this situation.
The key (blank) does not cost triple figure dollars... can be found online on fleabay for under $10 a piece. The option of overnight mail is an option which wont be astronomical either.
Take that blank key to a reputable GM dealer with your VIN and proof of ownership (insurance/title) and have the key cut for a nominal fee... resulting with an emergency spare key.
The key (blank) does not cost triple figure dollars... can be found online on fleabay for under $10 a piece. The option of overnight mail is an option which wont be astronomical either.
Take that blank key to a reputable GM dealer with your VIN and proof of ownership (insurance/title) and have the key cut for a nominal fee... resulting with an emergency spare key.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
First, what makes you think both fob batteries are dead. Just because they are inside the locked car doesn't mean the doors can be opened from the outside.
You can take the VIN to the dealer and they can cut you a key. However, unless they know you, they will want some kind of proof of ownership, which may also be in the car.
The key may be a bit pricey, but you would have a spare that you can hide on the outside of the car.
The coat hanger through the trunk is a clever option, hopefully your pull-tab isn't buried too far under the carpet.
Unless OnStar is already activated, they can't help.
It has also been posted that some locksmiths have fished in through the door window and snagged the emergency pull lever on the floor next to the seat.
Good luck.
You can take the VIN to the dealer and they can cut you a key. However, unless they know you, they will want some kind of proof of ownership, which may also be in the car.
The key may be a bit pricey, but you would have a spare that you can hide on the outside of the car.
The coat hanger through the trunk is a clever option, hopefully your pull-tab isn't buried too far under the carpet.
Unless OnStar is already activated, they can't help.
It has also been posted that some locksmiths have fished in through the door window and snagged the emergency pull lever on the floor next to the seat.
Good luck.
The other route is the break in procedure above, which I'm sure thieves probably know already. I definitely wouldn't leave a pull cable outside just in case.
Regardless, once inside turn off active locking or whatever they call it. Pushing a fob is a real easy task. Sometimes automation is not good.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas
If he has no paper for proof ownership,all they have to do is run his plate..( If He Owns It)......
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas
A friend of my works for Pop Of Lock & one nite down at the bar i asked him if he could open my hatch just for the heck of it.It took him maybe 30 seconds to open it.The alarm went off as expected.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 462
From: Southern Utah
The batteries in the fobs are not necessarily dead. It is not impossible to lock both fobs inside the car. Go to the dealer with proof of ownership and the VIN and they can cut a metal key from that number. Another fob will not be of any help as the car must be programmed to accept it and you can't do that from the outside.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,146
Likes: 31
From: Minot North Dakota
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15, '21
wow, you guys are great, lots of good advice and no one challenged my mental capacity. Well I suppose ya’ll want to know what happened. Called AAA guy came out and had a jimmy and a long rod with a curved end. When I explained it was an electronics lock he said I can’t get that open, sign here saying I was here. i called the chevy dealership and they said bring in proof of ownership, we might be able to make a key but it’s going to cost you. The next day I told my wife I was going to the dealership to get a key made for the vette. She said why, I told her I locked them both in the car, she laughed and said I saw both of them in the cup holder so I grabbed one and then shut the lid, it’s in the key drawer. Man was I happy, I learned 2 good lessons the last few days, keep at least one set of keys out of the car and and ask the wife before I go in to panic mode.
I really appreciate all my vette brothers coming to my assistance.
I really appreciate all my vette brothers coming to my assistance.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 212
From: FL
Leaving a key fob in the car is not responsible which you demonstrated for your reason and making it easier to steal. You should take you wife to a nice dinner for taking care of you also. Some insurance companies exclude theft coverage if you leave your keys in the car.
Moral is to remove all items including wallets, cell phones and keys/fobs when you exit the vehicle.
Glad you had a happy ending.
Moral is to remove all items including wallets, cell phones and keys/fobs when you exit the vehicle.
Glad you had a happy ending.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 237
From: marietta, GA
I believe that worst case senerio is have a locksmith come to your house and get/make a key for the rear hatch.....and go in that way....I think a new FOB is around 150.00 ish....and you certainly don't need it since you already have two.....Best case is your dealer may be able to make a hatch key with your VIN number....(probably the cheapest way out....unless you know a key person...
Racer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 339
Likes: 6
From: Lompoc California
Wish I would of known the shake the car thing. I locked my keys in last week. But only being about a mile and half from home, I walked home broke a window to get in and got the extra FOB. Window only costs 40 bucks to fix. 