Hi all,

My 1998 TE Altera is locked... and the keys are inside it!

Over the last week i noticed some funny things happening with my central locking. First, i was having to press the button twice to open the doors, then once on the weekend when i was sitting in it and accidently locked it with the key, when i tried to unlock it again it was immediately locking within a second.

Yesterday morning i went to get in my car (left keys in it overnight, country property - no worries) and the car was locked. It had 'locked itself' overnight. I hadnt done anything out of the ordinary the night before.

Has anyone heard of this happening? My dad, who has been a mechanic most of his life doesnt even believe me!

Is there a (cheap) way to get back in my car, and when i do, what can i do to fix this? The manual lock button is on the side of the door, next to the handle - not on the top panel.

Would really appreciate the help - right now i am back on the bus (and i miss my car!)

Thanks.

I locked my keys in my car out on my mates farm lol which is in the middle of nowhere in NSW, needless to say i was stressing bad!

Luckily my drivers window wasnt fully up by about 2mm, so because of the pillarless doors, I was able to pull the window glass out a bit, and poke a stick in to knock the window winder down just enough to be able to reach in and unlock the door (skinny arms lol). Because you have an Altera i'm guessing u have power windows so unless you've wired your windows up to have constant power like I have now you probably wont be able to do this... If your windows aren't tinted you could maybe smash one and get a spare window glass from a wreckers if it's cheap? lol

one way of doing it is putting something like a doorstoper inbetween the door and the car frame (just be very carefull you don't separate it to much or the window could smash or paint crack). you can force separate the door in the top left corner from the main frame arround 3 fingers width without problem then fish for the handle with a stick or something , after open it bend the door back to place ( again slowly and steady.

Done it a few times never got a problem


Hope it helps

one way of doing it is putting something like a doorstoper inbetween the door and the car frame (just be very carefull you don't separate it to much or the window could smash or paint crack). you can force separate the door in the top left corner from the main frame arround 3 fingers width without problem then fish for the handle with a stick or something , after open it bend the door back to place ( again slowly and steady.



Well 3rd gens dont hav a window sill and the window tucks up underneath a peice of plastic when the door is closed so that might be a bit difficult.

Grab a coat hanger, unfold it so you have a strait piece of wire with a hook on one end.

Feed the hook down the drivers door window and go right down to the bottom and to the rear most of the car as possible, you should be able to *feel* the hook hitting some things, have a bit of a jab around, sooner or later you will find the rod that controls the drivers door lock. If you can get someone to look at the lock from the otherside it will be much easier to see when you have the right rod (the lock will wiggle).

I can do this in about 5 mins on a second gen, never tried on a third gen. Good luck!

I can do this in about 5 mins on a second gen, never tried on a third gen. Good luck!

had a bit of practise have you? :facejump: ....gta :)

call the NRMA and get them to do it

if they mess it up it on them not you

Yep, +1 for NRMA or your equivalent. I saw an NRMA guy gain access to a Camry - he used two wedges to pry the door open and then a bit of tape to pull the lock up - took him about 1 minute from the time he arrived and iirc, zero damage.

I've done the coat hanger trick on my old 4x4 - In my case I was able to hook onto the lock mechanism at the latch, but I did leave some small scratches.
Being able to dismantle the passenger door and look at the rods and bits helped so that I knew where to fish around on the drivers side.
I eventually found a spring had gone missing, stopping the lock mechanism returning to a neutral position. This effectively dead locked it so the central locking and key could lock the door, but then had no effect to unlock it.

Are there any pictures of a naked TE drivers door here that you can use as a reference?

Don't you have a spare key!???

had a bit of practise have you? :facejump: ....gta :)

Well I drive it like it's stolen anyway.

NRMA will make you sign up for a membership before they send someone out.

2nd gen: Easy all I need is a ruler and few seconds later Im in

3rd Gen: bit harder but as someone mentioned before they have frameless windows so a bit of downward force on the window should get you a little gap and then you just need someone with a slim arm to reach in and flick the lock. If arm is too short, extend its reach with a stick.

1st Gen: why would you want to break into one, honestly just upgrade.