Any suggestions how to break in to my own car?

[Mottie]

At a guess, I'd say he had opened the bonnet, locked the doors, disconnected the battery and then shut the bonnet.

Edit: Snap!

 

[Mottie]

If you have a tow socket, you can power it up through that as long as your disconnected live battery terminal is not touching earth!

 

[davidmiller]

Jack the car up, put on axle stands and get a jump pack connected to the live wire to the starter and an earth. This will give power to the car battery and you should be able to use the remote.

Andy

Unfortunately the battery isn't connected.

 

[davidmiller]

If you haven't used the mechanical lock in years, it may be stiff or seized with tarnish.

If you puff a little WD40 through the keyhole using the red straw, then insert and remove the key multiple times, each time giving it a twist to and fro, it may ease off. If visible dirt comes out on the key, wipe it off with a clean rag. I've done that successfully.

Usually you are advised not to oil locks as dirt and grit may stick to the oil, but WD40 dries out fairly soon, and this trick may get you out of trouble.

It is a good idea to test the mechanical lock before you need it. One of my cars also has a keylock on the boot and the passenger door. Try them key

 

[davidmiller]

If you haven't used the mechanical lock in years, it may be stiff or seized with tarnish.

If you puff a little WD40 through the keyhole using the red straw, then insert and remove the key multiple times, each time giving it a twist to and fro, it may ease off. If visible dirt comes out on the key, wipe it off with a clean rag. I've done that successfully.

Usually you are advised not to oil locks as dirt and grit may stick to the oil, but WD40 dries out fairly soon, and this trick may get you out of trouble.

It is a good idea to test the mechanical lock before you need it. One of my cars also has a keylock on the boot and the passenger door. Try them.

The lock works fine it's the handle that isn't doing us job. Cheers

 

[davidmiller]

It’ll be a pain in the ass having to remove the under tray but it could be worth it!
John

You think I might be able to get to the cable? That'll do for me.

 

[davidmiller]

How did you manage to lock it, BTW?

Mottie guessed it and robin. I left the bonnet up. Locked it then shut the bonnet. Won't do that again.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

If you have a tow socket, you can power it up through that as long as your disconnected live battery terminal is not touching earth!

Good call! Or, if the OP could gain access to the alternator, or starter motor terminals, apply +12 to the main terminal of either of those..

 

[JohnD]

Is there a mechanical lock on the passenger door too?

Good question.

 

[robinbanks]

Unfortunately the battery isn't connected.

It doesn't matter. The jump pack will cause voltage to be applied at all the same points as the "proper" battery normally does

In essence by connecting a jump pack to the thick wire on the starter, or the thick wire on the alternator, the jump pack will become the "proper" battery of the car, which allows you to unlock the doors, open the bonnet and reconnect the proper battery. Any easily accessible point that is directly connected to the positive terminal of the battery will work for this; the starter and alternator are typically lower down in the engine bay and more easily accessible from underneath by jacking the car

The wire you use on the jump pack doesn't need to be thick; you aren't going to start the car with it. It may thus be easier for you to clamp the jump pack negative to somewhere metal on the engine, clamp the jump pack positive to a small flexible wire say a metre long, and then just hold the other end of the thin wire against the starter/alternator big terminal while you push on the central locking fob

I think it's a good idea to disconnect the battery but if doing it again it might also be more convenient if you either:

* leave them the keys so they can shut the alarm off themselves/move it if it's in their way
* leave it unlocked and empty of anything of any value
* or, leave it with a small wire attached to the battery positive and dangling down in the engine bay/poking out the bonnet, so it's all locked up but a small 12v battery can quickly power up the central locking

(or also fix the mechanical lock)

 

[foxhole]

Piece of thin cord/ rope

 

[davidmiller]

It doesn't matter. The jump pack will cause voltage to be applied at all the same points as the "proper" battery normally does

View attachment 371334

In essence by connecting a jump pack to the thick wire on the starter, or the thick wire on the alternator, the jump pack will become the "proper" battery of the car, which allows you to unlock the doors, open the bonnet and reconnect the proper battery. Any easily accessible point that is directly connected to the positive terminal of the battery will work for this; the starter and alternator are typically lower down in the engine bay and more easily accessible from underneath by jacking the car

The wire you use on the jump pack doesn't need to be thick; you aren't going to start the car with it. It may thus be easier for you to clamp the jump pack negative to somewhere metal on the engine, clamp the jump pack positive to a small flexible wire say a metre long, and then just hold the other end of the thin wire against the starter/alternator big terminal while you push on the central locking fob

I think it's a good idea to disconnect the battery but if doing it again it might also be more convenient if you either:

* leave them the keys so they can shut the alarm off themselves/move it if it's in their way
* leave it unlocked and empty of anything of any value
* or, leave it with a small wire attached to the battery positive and dangling down in the engine bay/poking out the bonnet, so it's all locked up but a small 12v battery can quickly power up the central locking

(or also fix the mechanical lock)

Thanks for that. Hopefully I can see the alternator/starter from underneath, and see the wires leading to them.
I've got some twin and earth I presume would be ok.
Would a car battery charger work in place of a jump pack? I mean the ones you would leave them charging for hours.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Would a car battery charger work in place of a jump pack? I mean the ones you would leave them charging for hours.

No, use a proper battery, or a jump pack - but make absolutely sure you get the polarity correct. Negative to body/engine.

A charger, can be of two types, neither much use. The older type, will put anything up to 20v volts out, and could wreck the car's electronics. The more modern type, will not output any current, unless they see a battery connected.

 

[robinbanks]

Honestly, 8 AA batteries in series would probably provide enough juice to open the central locking, but perhaps you have a mate who would call round so you can connect a length of twin and earth up to his battery

It'd also give you someone to shout "right, push the unlock on the fob now" to

 

[HERTS P&D]

Or even a 12v cordless drill battery.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=jump+strting+a+van+with+a+cordless+tool+battery

Andy