Help Battery dead key inside

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Oct 12, 2009 | 02:48 PM

gdombroski

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Help Battery dead key inside

Left lights on and key inside as I always use electronic opener. Anyway to open hood to charge battery without key??

Oct 12, 2009 | 03:00 PM

85e150

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Got AAA?

Got a friend with AAA?

They'll have it open in 10 seconds without damage.

It would appear the hood is too tight against the top of the battery to do any fiddling from below, even if you could reach up in there....

Likewise, the cable is pretty well buried for the hood.

Even $100 for a locksmith call would be cheap compared to the damage you might could do.

What about a spare key anywhere?

Oct 12, 2009 | 05:45 PM

ncranchero

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From: E.Lincoln County, NC

Is the '93 Explorer in your profile the vehicle you're locked out of? If you have the tow package with the 12V power terminal in the plug you could energize it and it would be enough to power the door locks...........

Oct 13, 2009 | 01:27 PM

marragtop

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From: Baltimore

It would probably be easier to slim jim the door than try and get the hood open.

Oct 15, 2009 | 01:42 AM

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From: Northern California

Not to beat a dead horse, but since I was 16, and bought my first car (1969 Dodge Dart GTS 340) in 1974, I always carry a spare key in my wallet, and have a spare key at home.

It's such an easy and simple thing to do on DAY 1 of acquiring any new or used vehicle. It would save you the grief and worry as per your thread subject.

Plus, everyone that drives should be a AAA member. Best insurance on top of your car insurance. Use a tow or jump service, it pays for itself right then.

Oct 15, 2009 | 01:08 PM

shorod

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From: Cedar Rapids, IA

Carrying a spare key in your wallet was a bit more convenient, and inexpensive, when the keys were thin, flat plated brass keys. The modern transponder keys unfortunately make that less convenient.

I do really like what my Infiniti has with a mechanical key tucked nicely inside the fob. It has the pushbutton ignition with proximity key so the fob (with key) stays in my pocket, but if the battery dies in the fob or car the mechanical key is in my pocket to at least open the driver's door. I'm glad to see more products going a similar route. That should greatly reduce the number of people getting locked out of their cars. I'm sure people will suggest down sides to this setup as well, but I don't have any complaints so far.

-Rod

Oct 15, 2009 | 02:55 PM

85e150

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Do a check on that set up and make sure you can kill the engine while moving. Toyota has a stuck throttle issue and it has been said you can't kill the engine at speed. (floor mat deal, either goes on top of the pedal or the pedal wedges into the grooves on the mat). Better to know how it works before you need it.

Wonder if the OP will let us know, or if this becomes another "whatever happened to..." thread.