Ok guys, I just had a bit of a mishap here. I had the keys in the ignition barrel, and the locks down on all the doors as I worked on the car. (Of course I didn't intentionally put the locks down, that would have been stupid) Well there was a bit of a mishap and the drivers door, spring loaded as it is, snapped completely shut.

So now my keys are locked in the bloody car!

Now I need AMC's help here... surely there is a way to get the doors open on a Second Gen Magna/Verada. I'm sure this is a common scenario for many, so there must be at least one solution out there.

Otherwise i'm really up **** creek. See while this is my car it's currently under a loan agreement from ol' Father dear, and he's gonna be *really* pissed when he finds out this happened- unfortunate mishap or not. Doesn't eliminate the fact it's my head on the chopping block.

So I hate to scream like a 5 year old about this, but drastic times call for drastic measures- HELP!



(It's possible this may be the wrong forum, now that i've edited the post i've had time to ponder that, but i'm sure it's hardly a major issue.)

Ok guys, I just had a bit of a mishap here. I had the keys in the ignition barrel, and the locks down on all the doors as I worked on the car. (Of course I didn't intentionally put the locks down, that would have been stupid) Well there was a bit of a mishap and the drivers door, spring loaded as it is, snapped completely shut.

So now my keys are locked in the bloody car!

Now I need AMC's help here... surely there is a way to get the doors open on a Second Gen Magna/Verada. I'm sure this is a common scenario for many, so there must be at least one solution out there.

Otherwise i'm really up **** creek. See while this is my car it's currently under a loan agreement from ol' Father dear, and he's gonna be *really* pissed when he finds out this happened- unfortunate mishap or not. Doesn't eliminate the fact it's my head on the chopping block.

So I hate to scream like a 5 year old about this, but drastic times call for drastic measures- HELP!



(It's possible this may be the wrong forum, now that i've edited the post i've had time to ponder that, but i'm sure it's hardly a major issue.)

Do you or anyone you know, have roadside assist? Might be worth calling them out to come and open the car. If you're not a member you have to pay but you get membership aswell after that.

Might be similar to a pajero?

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/2647/caerr.png

My magic book tells me that a down the window trick is out of question though.

I find an old wire clothes hanger works wonders for opening doors.

You need to make a hook shape out of it. Slip in between the window and the door. What you are aiming to do is to push the end of the hook under the button part that you push down to lock the door. Once under it, you give it a good yank upwards to pop the lock open.

If you are not confident, I would not recommend it - you can easily bend the metal rods that control you opening and closing the door, and that control the locking mechanism.

Packers tape is another option (though, not sure if they can be used on a 2nd gen).

Your third option will be to call NRMA, or a locksmith, mechanic, and have them do the above.

P.S I take no responsibility if you damage your car in this process. Yes I have done this a few times on my own cars, yes once I've damaged the mechanism through inexperience.

Video below shows yet another method....as does the link. Google knows all.

http://www.ridelust.com/the-wedge-tech-a-locksmithing-tutorial/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FR-YsDkLdi0

Do what I do - just take your spare key out of your wallet.

Now I know that doesn't help, but it is a good trick to prevent the next occurance.

Do what I do - just take your spare key out of your wallet.

Now I know that doesn't help, but it is a good trick to prevent the next occurance.

Be handy if the spare hadn't snapped off... never going to that key cutter again.

I'll give the wire hanger trick a shot. What else can I do, really.

Do what I do - just take your spare key out of your wallet.

Now I know that doesn't help, but it is a good trick to prevent the next occurance.

And if your wallet is in the centre console of your car?

Cheers guys, I found a way in with the coat hanger. I won't say how as it poses a security risk to Second Gens (and I wouldn't want that) but never-the-less, the keys are out.

And nobody knows this ever happened... :ninja:

Was it the really really easy way that uses a coat hanger to get in?, the one where you attach a bit of brick to the end of the coat hanger wire and flail it at your window?

Hah, thankfully not. lol The method did no damage to the car thankfully, all I can say is "thank god for 20 year old glue".

Shouldn't have even had reason to worry about it. My car, if I stuffed up, then chock it up to experience. What I was really concerned about was the rest getting home and:

A. Taking the piss out of me for it
B. Gathering around with useless suggestions and saying "shouldn't have done this or this..." etc.

Ah well, "crisis" averted. Cheers.


EDIT: Oh yeah, my "Vehicle Lock Opening Tool" is going into my toolbox for future use, hopefully not on my own car, but it'll come in handy.

sometimes flashing the earth terminal works...esp. on aftermarket systems

Yeah, figured out the coat hanger trick when I was desperate. Massive security risk if you know how to do it.

Just remember:

Commodores are easier to steal.

Stolen commodores are good for burnouts.

No sensible hoon would steal a magna.

Hoons don't own coathangers.

After market alarms are worth while if you are worried about theft.

grab a tennis ball
cut a whole in it about hte size of your key entry on the door
push it up against it really hard with the hole over the key entry onteh door and pull it out. it unlocked my mates car lol :)

grab a tennis ball
cut a whole in it about hte size of your key entry on the door
push it up against it really hard with the hole over the key entry onteh door and pull it out. it unlocked my mates car lol :)
They tried this on Mythbusters and it didnt work.

grab a tennis ball
cut a whole in it about hte size of your key entry on the door
push it up against it really hard with the hole over the key entry onteh door and pull it out. it unlocked my mates car lol :)

Plus on ALL magna the key hole is on the handle, thus not a flat surface for this to have any chance of working.

I always thought that with all magnas if you closed the door with the locks down they would pop up to prevent this sort of thing happening.

Plus on ALL magna the key hole is on the handle, thus not a flat surface for this to have any chance of working.

I always thought that with all magnas if you closed the door with the locks down they would pop up to prevent this sort of thing happening.

Yeah, I thought so too, I know with my 3rd gen, if you have the keys in the ignition and try and lock the doors by pressing the lock on the drivers door, it unlocks again.

Don't think this was teh case with the old 2nd gens. I know my 91 lancer doesn't have it and yes i've got a coathanger tool :D

Well my TR did it

With the TH, if you try to lock the drivers door while it is open, it will unlock. It can only be locked if the door is closed.

The Second Gen locks will pop up if you don't hold the handle out while shutting the door. However, it doesn't help if you have a flat battery though. :doubt: Or is a mechanical lift? Either way my lock is dodgy. Just my luck aye? :P

Cheers to whoever moved the thread.

the tennis ball thing can work on SOME cars with pneumatic lock systems. toilet plungers can work too.

lock out [break in] kits go for like $60
all the tools youll need

lock out [break in] kits go for like $60
all the tools youll need

can easily get cheaper ;)

http://www.dealextreme.com/products.dx/category.829

all prices in USD, but free shipping

*please note i do not condone using the above, this is just a discussion about said stuff!*

:nuts: Just carry a spare key. $5 max at any key cutter shop.

:nuts: Just carry a spare key. $5 max at any key cutter shop.
yep i have a spare tied to a secret location under my car.

yep i have a spare tied to a secret location under my car.

I keep it inside my car. I figure I can usually get into my car to get my keys out, but I have NFI how to make it start once I am in.