I have a 2020 Corvette and I am the original owner. Up until now, I have had 11,000 trouble free miles. Recently my battery went dead. That is understandable, the car is over 4 years old.

I tried the physical key to open the door. The key goes all the way in and turns the cylinder but the door doesn't unlock. I have turned the key as far as it can go, physically it can not turn anymore because the head of the key is hitting the interior body panel. Yes, I tried both physical keys in the door lock and neither of them work. Yes, I tried both keys in the trunk and both keys did unlock the trunk easily. The issue is not the key or the user. I am assuming that the key cylinder in the door is bad. Does anyone know what options I have to get the frunk open to charge the battery, if I can not get into the drivers compartment to pull the wire to open it manually?

Please no comments about why the battery went dead, battery tenders, software updates, etc. This is a thread about a mechanical key not unlocking the drivers door and what options are available to me to get the frunk open so I can jump start the car. I have researched many threads and a few people have had a similar problem with the C8's but the initial question was never fully answered because the thread was overtaken by people quoting the owners manual on how to use a physical key or why the battery dies, etc.

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

Had you wrapped your key fob in tinfoil, and changed the DCT fluid at exactly the right time, this wouldn't have happened, and you wouldn't have lost your key cylinder warranty out of gross user negligence. Now you know.

I recorded this video (link below) just now, laying on my back, just to illustrate the release point on my car. Hopefully that's helpful in some way.

Suggestion:

Since it doesn't release even with max key rotation, I would try first pushing the door closed "more" several times, to maybe free up any stickyness in the mechanism, then try the key again. Pressing against the boomerang, my door can move an additional 1/16"~1/8" more closed. You can hear it bumping against the latch each time you release it back to its normal closed position.

You Tube

 

LOL… thank you for the humor.
I watched the video and did try pushing and pulling on the door to maybe “free up” the locking mechanism. No luck there. Compared to the video my cylinder lock turns all the way to the body panel while yours appears to “pop” the mechanism about 3/4 turn.

 

Does the key turn freely? Meaning, do you feel any resistance?
If so, then the key may not be fully inserted into the tumbler mechanism. The key will turn freely if not fully inserted or the incorrect key is inserted. Since the key works on the trunk lock, then you have the correct key.
See if the key will go further into the mechanism.

 

Hi,
Thank you for your input. The key is fully inserted and there is tension when you turn it. You have to use quite a bit of force, almost like it is spring loaded.
It is very similar in feel to the trunk lock, except that it never "pops" the lock.

 

Can you try turning the key backwards to see if the cylinder will rotate enough so that you place pressure on the door to get enough room to open. Sounds like cylinder retaining clip is loose allowing cylinder to turn. You already probably tried this. AAA or Tow truck driver with slim jim may be another idea.

 

If you have a coupe and can get the rear hatch open there is likely a wire somewhere in there that has power all the time (but don't ask me which one). You may be able to connect a battery charger to it to charge the battery enough to unlock the car. I'm pretty sure the main wire to the alternator is hot all the time but you need to access that from underneath the car.
Your car comes with 5 years of road service so the suggestion to call them might be your best bet.

 

I had the local Corvette tech here in St. Louis stop by the house. He promptly jacked up the car to crawl under and hook up jumper cables to the alternator. He was able to give the car enough juice to use the key fob to unlock the door and frunk. Problem solved. Next week he will look into why the key cylinder isn’t working. He is thinking they don’t have it installed properly and don’t have the cable attached.

 

Thanks for this post. It reminded me to check my car's key cylinders for their operation and if any cleaner needs to be used on the cylinders. Try to do it yearly on all my cars.