Locked out

[oldskewel]

Glad you got it fixed.

I now find myself in a similar predicament. I know it is bad practice. When I first got the car, I was paranoid about getting locked out, took what I thought were sufficient precautions, and now am stuck.

Briefly, I have read what seem like every thread on this forum about this problem. Nothing non-destructive works so far. Several times there is a mention of some secret method given out selectively when people are stuck. I have PM'ed the people who claim to have used this method, and have no answer after a couple of days of waiting.

So if anyone knows the method (e.g., from user UCrewX5), please let me know.

I know there are many different variations on the lockout, e.g., summarized in the threads listed here:
https://xoutpost.com/1105705-post2.html

My specific situation is:

• Car battery is just fine.
• I have plenty of keys.
• Door handle carriers are all good.
• Windows all up, locked out, hood closed, alarm set, car in my driveway.

Just about 10 days ago, I tried to re-initialize my key fobs, since they had not been working for a while. After doing that, I found that only one of the 4 was working. I figured I should recharge all their batteries, so (as I have done a few times before, over the years) I put them all near the ignition key cylinder, turned the key to ON, hooked up a battery charger, and left it overnight to charge the key fobs. Yes, I know, there are easier ways, but I have too many projects. Following that charging and a few programming attempts, unfortunately ZERO fobs worked. But perhaps useful to note that prior to the failed recharging, one of them did work, suggesting the car-side of things are OK. And for the current situation, I think it mean there is zero hope of getting them to work before getting a door open some other way.

Then as bad luck would have it, my door key cylinder failed. I know all about how to fix it, and in fact, as part of my paranoia about this situation, I had replaced a cracked component in the mechanism that I had noticed a few years ago.

So now, the key fobs are all non-functioning, and the mechanical unlock does not work.

Some extra stuff I have tried and failed at:

• holding in the unlock button on a key fob to roll down windows - does not work
• repeated wiggling, attempts to see if anything in the key mechanism will catch and turn - does not work
• pried open the top of the front passenger (right) door, reached in with a rod, pressed multiple times on the door unlocking button on the central console - does not work (although there may be a chance I just need to press a lot harder on that button)
• reached down with a rod to try to actuate the passenger window. Does not work, of course, because the key is not in the ignition. But when I did that, I expected the alarm to go off. It did not, which may point to why the central unlock button does not work as I believe it should.
• Also reached down with a rod to try to actuate the passenger door inner door handle. I know it is double locked, and my understanding is that once the central button is pressed, they should be openable with a double-pull. No luck.

At this point, I'm hoping to hear of the secret method. If I don't, I will probably, in this order:

1. Try again to press the central locking button, being sure to adjust my technique so I am surely pressing down fully.
2. See if I can reach in with a rod through the same pried passenger door access point, put a key into the ignition, turn it to ON, and then roll down a window.
3. Remove the plastic cap over the door key cylinder. Drill out the screw holding the cylinder in place, and actuate the door lock actuator using a screwdriver once it is exposed.
4. Check price and availability of windows.

Any advice, corrections to my failed attempts, etc. will be greatly appreciated.