I broke into my un-liked co-worker's car after he locked himself out with the car running. However, I don't know how he did it. He has an '05 Legacy GT Wagon (yes, MT). The lock button was stuck half way and a pull of the door handle wouldn't open the door. So being a Subaru with frameless windows, I grabbed a wire coat hanger and some tape (to not scratch the paint) and tried to get the power lock switch or a window switch. I could get to them but the hanger wasn't strong enough to push the buttons. He explained the 1/2 way locked situation AFTER I had given up with the coat hanger. I don't know why but I put a knee on the door, pushed in, and pulled the handle. The door opened right up. I guess the mechanism was just bound up.
He's internally fuming that I got it open that way. He's the type that when really embarassed, he gets really pissed off and starts mumbling and grunting to himself. He gave me a half hearted thank you and jumped into his car and sulked.
I just had to share.
Next time watch from the sideline and laugh?
I had the same problem with my Corolla once and the solution was the same. I stepped out of the car with the engine running, I don't know if the door was locked or not - but if the door is closed while locked without pulling the handle, the lock is supposed to pop open so that it can't just swing closed and lock you out.
Anyway it blew shut but was only "half-closed" and I was locked out. At the suggestion of a coworker I gave the door a hard shove to close it fully and then I could get in.
I think what causes this is that the door can latch while "half-closed" but it has to be fully closed while not pulling the handle for the lock "safety" mechanism to disengage the lock.
that is one of the reasons I do not trust my Malibu. With Chevy's insistence that it locks automatically, I never ever close the door with the engine running
For me, if I leave it running and get out, at least one window is always rolled down. Learned that the hard way about 5 too many times. Most of the auto locking cars can be fixed though, either by the owner or by a dealer scan tool.
my solution to a wonky door lock solenoid with my Integra …
the dealership couldn't reproduce the problem well enough to fix it, though they did admit that there was something going on that wasn't "exactly" right … I've got a diagnostic report from them that admits there is a "problem" and if it ever gets worse they would fix it under warranty … regardless of age … wonder where that paper is … the new owner might need it…
I had a spare key made (without the electronics) and carried it in my wallet
I refuse to get out of any running vehicle without rolling a window down. Between paranoid factory engineers and badly programmed aftermarket remote starters, I've had quite enough of cars running on the hoist with the doors locked, thank you very much.
Kenny_McCormic wrote:
For me, if I leave it running and get out, at least one window is always rolled down. Learned that the hard way about 5 too many times. Most of the auto locking cars can be fixed though, either by the owner or by a dealer scan tool.
+1 for having a window down. A lesson I learned after only one experience with a customers car years ago.
At work I get called to unlock someone's car about once every couple of months. My success rate is really good but what I notice is that it's always really E36 M3 cars. Nobody ever locks themselves out of a Jag or Lexus. It's always an '85 S-10 or the like.
T.J.
PowerDork
3/19/15 6:21 a.m.
mad_machine wrote:
I never ever close the door with the engine running
That must make quite a scene with you driving down the road woth your door open all the time.