When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hi, I'm new to the thread so please forgive any mistakes (but point them out ). I've joined in hopes of helping my oldest son. He has a 2019 GS which he keeps at his condo and gets to use "maybe" once a month. Anyway he went there this past weekend to discover the battery was dead and was unable to enter the car. Seems there's a "key" located in the rear end that allows you to unlock the car doors. It worked, he got in, then noticed the rear deck kept popping open, wouldn't stay shut. He decided to disconnect the battery to stop the problem, shut the door and, you guessed it, now he's completely locked out of the car. I was hoping someone on this thread might have a solution to his problem. I've gotta believe he can't be the first person to ever do this. Thanks in advance folks. Bob
Hello everyone, thank you all for your responses. Specifically to kodpkd, no he didn't lock the key in the car. He's 58 years old and as his father I'd be very disappointed if he did that After discovering the battery was dead and ( I'm guessing) the keyfob wouldn't unlock the car, he unlocked it by using a "keylock" located somewhere in the rear exterior of the car, He entered the car, couldn't start it. Shut the rear deck lid but it kept popping open. In order to stop that from happening he disconnected the battery, then shut the rear deck lid and the car door which completely locked him out of the car. NOTE; Since I'm relating this 2nd hand please allow for the fact I may have missed something but this is my understanding of the events. He's supposed to hook up with GM roadside assistance today but having known about the Corvette Forum I thought if anyone knew how to solve this problem the people here would. So I joined to help my son.
Hello everyone, thank you all for your responses. Specifically to kodpkd, no he didn't lock the key in the car. He's 58 years old and as his father I'd be very disappointed if he did that After discovering the battery was dead and ( I'm guessing) the keyfob wouldn't unlock the car, he unlocked it by using a "keylock" located somewhere in the rear exterior of the car, He entered the car, couldn't start it. Shut the rear deck lid but it kept popping open. In order to stop that from happening he disconnected the battery, then shut the rear deck lid and the car door which completely locked him out of the car. NOTE; Since I'm relating this 2nd hand please allow for the fact I may have missed something but this is my understanding of the events. He's supposed to hook up with GM roadside assistance today but having known about the Corvette Forum I thought if anyone knew how to solve this problem the people here would. So I joined to help my son.
Yah, best of luck to him! Getting locked out because of dead batteries, is a real hassle.
If he still has the fob with key he should be able to open the hatch and pull the door release wire protruding from the left wheel-well. Neither has any relationship to the battery.
He stated negative cable was disconnected so would the lock even pop open using fob key with battery cable disconnected ? Not sure this will help but might try AAA if your a member. Maybe there driver has a slim Jim door tool and is good with the door tool and be able to open it . I’m thinking that may not work either like in the past without all these electronics and with cable disconnected .
Last edited by Borntorun04/17; Sep 26, 2024 at 06:48 PM.
I just wanted to let everyone know that my son lives in Hollywood, Fl, so dealing with his car issue is put on hold temporarily as running his business is more important.
The situation will get resolved one way or the other and as soon as it does I'll post the results here. Thanks again to everyone for their responses and help. I live in eastern Tennessee. Our weather is supposed to get real nasty tomorrow which may result in power losses in the area. Wherever you all live I hope you're high and dry and safe. Meanwhile here's a pix of my sons car so you can see why you're helping. You all have a good night and stay safe. 2019- 7 Speed Manual- Approx 2500 miles
I think that is the point of the fob key.... To open the back hatch mechanically. But if he locked the fob in the car, he is screwed. BUT, I didn't think the door would lock without any power on the car. AAAAAAAAH! Call AAA with a big steal bar and go after your Corvette,,,, nooooooo!
There has to be a way to supply 12 volts to the car from the outside to power it up. Remove a side marker light, unplug it,,, then put 12 volts to the contacts in the connector. You might even be able to do it with a 12 volt battery.
Just supplying the power should unlock it. Maybe you will here the best sound ever,,,, "CLICK"
Maybe with the vin number GM can make a new backup key.
Why are replies making this harder than it needs to be?
With no power, from a dead battery or disconnected, there's one way to gain access to the car. Release the key from the fob, and unlock the hatch/trunk using the key hole located near the rear license plate. Once inside the hatch/trunk area, look for the door release cable (driver side cargo area). Pull said cable and the driver door will release.
Since the locking and door mechanism are all electronic, it needs power to work. No power (dead battery or disconnected) and the only way in, is using the above method.
Post #6 says he does. Or did I miss something in another post?
1) If he has the FOB all he has to do is put the mechanical key in the rear key hole to pop the hatch. Then pull the cable on the left inside the hatch to open the driver door. If he locked the FOB in the car, go to 2).
I just looked in here for the helluva it and discovered my last post didn't register. Something I obviously did wrong. Anyway I wanted everyone to know he got into the car using the "unlock the hatch...pulling the cable" method. He reconnected the battery which resulted in the original problem reappearing, namely that the hatch keeps unlocking, won't stay locked (which is why he disconnected the battery in the first place). Anyway he has an appt with the Chevy dealer in Melbourne on the 15th which is the earliest they could see him. I'm guessing the module controlling the hatch is bad or the ECU software got corrupted and needs to be reset. Point is he's in the car so thanks to everyone for your input and help. You all have a good day.
Locked Out !!
After discovering the battery was dead and ( I'm guessing) the keyfob wouldn't unlock the car, he unlocked it by using a "keylock" located somewhere in the rear exterior of the car, He entered the car, couldn't start it. Shut the rear deck lid but it kept popping open. In order to stop that from happening he disconnected the battery, then shut the rear deck lid and the car door which completely locked him out of the car. NOTE; Since I'm relating this 2nd hand please allow for the fact I may have missed something but this is my understanding of the events. He's supposed to hook up with GM roadside assistance today but having known about the Corvette Forum I thought if anyone knew how to solve this problem the people here would. So I joined to help my son.
AAAAAAAAH! Call AAA with a big steal bar and go after your Corvette,,,, nooooooo!
