Doward

I locked the keys in my car. Anyone know a way to get the doors unlocked? I was gonna slim jim it - but the locks are sideways on these beasts, and a clothes hanger bends too much to pop it.

Dale

iTrader: (12)

I havent tryed yet, but the theifs seemed to get into mine quite easly when It was in driveway working on it.

I slim jim should still work, just try it at an angle like / that, and when you latch, slide sideways with both hands, keeping that angle.

Quick_Trans_Am

iTrader: (2)

Ok first of all, coat hanger is too flexible. you can use a slim jim on the lock. put it down near the lock cylinder inside the door. Once you do that, you will have to feel around for the tab on the cylinder... (should be ever-so-slightly to the left of the lock) On my firebird, the tab presses DOWN. I imagine the camaro is the same. do you have to turn your key clockwise or counter clockwise to unlock it? if counter, then press down, if clockwise, pull up... I know it's easier said than done, but once you find it, it's easy. Hope this helps

ScrapMaker1

it is really easy to get in, since I locked my keys in my bird when I was at the beach, 300 miles away from home... the locksmith tried the same thing I tried, but he had a better tool... As I watched him, I realized if I had just tried 10 more minutes I could have gotten in... but from the driver side (on most all cars) if you follow the window up to the upper right, there is usually a small space you can push through the weather stripping and get the hangar through..... If you had a strong hangar or wire or whatnot then it should be no problem, I was just to lazy to try any more. One thing I tried was to loop the hangar around the t-top handle, but I couldn't get it... you might be able to if you have them... if you just make a bend at the very tip, to grab the lock (which has textured plastic, so it will be pretty easy) then as you slide the hangar in, just keep bending it to the right angle... you can't stick it in bent, nearly impossible.... and its also really helpful if you have someone looking in from the other side, because its damned-near impossible to tell what you're aiming at, especially if you have tinted glass....

Doward

arg!

Doward

heh....

Doward

woot

Doward

Yes, I used the space at the upper right to wedge that (4 coat hangers taped together) in and push the lock. Nothing to it, once I stopped, and thought it out.

Dale

iTrader: (12)

now we know what doward looks like, LOL.

Good job

devianb

Would that work with shaved handles too? I don't like the idea that my thirdgen is so easy to get into.

Doward

Not unless you could hit the door popper... if when it unlocks, it pops, then yeah, you could get in!

85SportCoupeto89RS

Just barely pull back on the window glass and insert yard stick to hit the switch to pop the hatch, it work's wonders. But I always keep a set at home and my parents have a set too.

85SportCoupeto89RS

Yep, all you lost was the handle and rod that went to the tab on the striker release.

devianb

If you had power door locks and the battery was disconnected, would you still be able to unlock the door via slim jim, hanger, or what ever aparatus used to unlock a door without keys?

85_ZED28

Good idea! I never would of thought of the hatch button.

I've locked my keys in the car a couple times lol. I just keep an extra key in my wallet

TechSmurf

dude.. they're easier than everyone says =\

When I bought my '88 the second day I had her I locked the keys in (seems to be a trend with me after I buy a car)... well.. experience with the '86 paid off (she started locking *herself* from the force of the door closing.. beat that).

I actually started laughing, walked into the tool shed, grabbed a carpenter's square, walked back, popped the lock in about 5 seconds (still laughing)... I was half way back to the shed when I realized I'd just broken into my car in under 20 seconds. Any sturdy flat item you can slip past the window seal is more than enough. On the driver's side the lock cyl actuates internally from a side position to a downward position in order to unlock it. Just push down on the tab, the rod.. anything near it, and it's open. If I don't end up shaving my handles, I'll be designing a steel enclosure for that mechanism to prevent such because of just how easy it is.

Dale

iTrader: (12)

devianb, yes you can still lock/unlock power doors just like manual doors. Its just "slightly" stiffer.

92CAMRORS

Hey, same thing I did as well! Before I figured that one out, I had to pop the left T-top to get in, which resulted in a not-so-good-working t-top. Then, just fix the t-top locking mechanism and I am back on my way.

TomP

Precisely why I don't have power door locks or a power hatch. People always ask me "Why didn't you put power door locks in"? I plan on welding a plate over that area when I swap door handles on my car this summer. I also plan on fixing how easy it is to get the hood open. Luckily I have a Firebird, so I don't have to worry too much about someone getting into the hatch with a hammer and one "THUD". (I'm not talking about breaking any glass, either.)

85SportCoupeto89RS

Its possible to make the switch only work when you have the iginiton key to the priming positoin or on position. Im glad none has tried poping my lock cylinder out of the hatch.

2_point8_boy

Time to test this out. I just locked my keys in the car at work. They have the keys to the door at work that I need to close, so i hope that I can get in. I'll let you guys know.

2_point8_boy

Holy Crap that was easy. :-O Took about 5 minutes for a first timer

GhostRider84

Alarm Systems ? Anyone ?

TRAXION

Thank you very much for this post. I locked my keys in the car this morning and did a search. I found this post and thought I'd give it a try. I bought a $2.99 plastic ruler from Staples and did what TechSmurf said. The key was to pull on the door handle while pushing down on the ruler. That saved me a $45 locksmith charge and now I know how to do it. It really is a shame how easy it is to break into our cars. I had no idea.

Tim

confucius101

ok so what kind of options do we have as far as preventing this ??????????????????????????????????

Xophertony

wow... i am going to cry

85SportCoupeto89RS

Always keep a spare key in your wallet,pocket, or a hidden magnetic box under the car. If you have keyless entry then you never have to worry, unless your battery is dead. Then its thru the hatch for u

2_point8_boy

if you have keyless entry, isn't the transmitter usually on your keys? therefore, if you lock teh keys in the car, you're still screwed

Xophertony

what options do we have in preventing OTHER people from using the old wire hanger 20 second breakinto our cars. how do we stop them from doing what we are all so proud of?

confucius101

Xophertony


what options do we have in preventing OTHER people from using the old wire hanger 20 second breakinto our cars. how do we stop them from doing what we are all so proud of?


That's the $100 question

TRAXION

You don't even need a spare key. Just tape an 18" plastic ruler underneath your car on the floorboard Loose your wallet and they have your key and your address! Nobody is going to look under your car for a ruler ... and if they do find it then they will just make fun of you because they will have no idea what it is for.

Tim

TRAXION

First of all - the wire hanger trick is stupid compared to using a ruler. I tested the ruler trick last night and could open my car in 5 seconds or less. That's right - 5 seconds. I repeatedly opened my car in 5 seconds with nothing more than a plastic ruler. You don't even have to fuss with getting it past the upper window weatherstripping like you have to do for the yard stick method or the wire hanger method. You don't have to pull the window out either since you are just sliding the stupid ruler down between the window and the door weatherstripping. This ruler method is absolutely sick. Plus, what cop is going to ask you 50 questions about a freaking ruler? I'm sure he would ask you 50 questions if you were carrying around a old wire hanger.

I still can't get over that you can break into our cars in 5 seconds or less using a freaking plastic ruler.

Tim

85SportCoupeto89RS

You cant use the yardstick trick on my car I adjusted the window so that it wants to stay on the weatherstripping. You can pull it out maybe a 1/4 of an inch and thats all she'll give. I think on the 82 i'm gonna make some shielding to prevent a slimjim or ruller from being able to release the lock. That will only work until the person smashes the window then your still screwed
I know the ultimate theft prevention, have someone in you car at all times with a 12 gauge shot gun. No one will mess with the car then.

Xophertony

once this "somthing" is complete you better post detailed instructions so the rest of our cars can kick as much *** as yours, i for one can't wait to make my car un-breakinable, unless they smash a window, damnit. i cant complain enough about thieves it would be worth sombody breking into my car, if i caught them doing it, man, they would be the thief, but i would be the one getting charges filled. i would **** them up!!!!

GTATransAM

I just found out i locked my keys in the car aswell.....its been sitting in garage for a week. But, i came here, searched how u guys got in....and with a metal ruler, and a few minutes......pop! I got in! So thanks for the info guys.

TechSmurf

omfg... I never realized until re-reading this that I'm the bloody source of Traxion's ruler trick.

Well, I might as well be the source of the solution too, then. Ruler trick opening is preventable. Spend a little too much free time staring at the mechanism with the interior door panel removed, do the ruler trick a couple times while watching with the panel removed exactly how it works (which is how I figured out how to do it in the first place), you'll soon get an idea of where to add a metal shield over the lock cylinder to make it less vunerable.

67 Camaro 88

My hatch popper is wired to my clutch stuffs..... clutch has to be depressed to be able to pop the hatch.


-Bud

IROC57TPI

OK i don't get it... You guys want to be able to get in your car, but you want it secure so that a theif can't get in?? So you build a guard around the lock cylinder. What happens the next time you lock your keys inside? Are you going to have to bust your own window? A locksmith won't even be able to get in with that guard. So basically you're gonna be really screwed if you ever lock your keys in again.

And another thing... Car thieves look for cars that they can make $ off of. As in parts. Do you think a 12+ year old car is on the top of their hit-list? And actually if I wanted your car, all i need is a tire iron and i can have it in less than 15 seconds. Do you want me to post details on how easy a 3rd gen is to steal? Even with your homemade lock guards... I can have the car within 15 seconds and you won't hear a thing (glass breaking, etc.).. I guess it pays off to be a professional repo man.

kevo2k6

.

kevo2k6

i guarantee that you couldnt STEAL my car in 15 seconds unless your towin it which would still take longer than that. an also i dont know about the rest of u guys but ive got that dum little chip or wutever in my keys yo my car, and i guess its not able to be hotwired because of this. and i know wen sumone had tried to steal it they couldnt but they really messed **** up and got away with my stereo. is the stuff bout the little "chip" in my key bull**** the dealer is feedin me so they can charge me 20 dollars for a copy of my key or wut?

IROC57TPI

The VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) with the chip is easily bypassed within less than a minutes time. A pro will know that all 88-up F cars came with this system and bring their own ECM and blank key with the key already being programmed in the ecm.

Let me take you step by step... Maybe so some of you can see how easy it is to steal one of these cars and possibly try and prevent yours from being stolen.

1). Take screwdriver end of tire iron to door lock in a twisting motion. Door unlocks in less than 10 seconds. It will damage the doorskin doing this, but does a theif care?

2). Again using the flat end of the tire iron, jump in car, insert the tool behind the turn sig. lever and proceed to break the column casing. Behind it you will see the back of the lock cyl. with a gear on it. Pop the gear off, them depress the flat aluminum piece that has gear teething on it and the car starts and you're off in the night. This step will take less than 20 seconds.

3). In case of VATS- Bring your own ECM and key already programmed to the ecm. Remove 2 7mm screws holding in ECM, pull the plugs and it drops out. Plug in the other ecm... Now insert the key blank into the lock cylinder. VATS is bypassed. This step will take less than 30 seconds.

Now in 2 minutes or less your car could be GONE. Even with the factory VATS.

Enter aftermarket alarm systems. Most are easily bypassed. I won't go into this because an alarm is there to deter theft and if i told you how easy they are to goet around you probably would end up with your car missing in the morning.

As I've said i'm just pointing all of this out as a heads up.

As a deterrent the single best thing you can do to keep your car is invest in a steering column protector. Its a heavy steel collar that locks around the column. Its not impossible to get around but the time and effort it takes to break it isn't worth it to anyone. They'll simply look elsewhere.

A few other thing s to consider:

If you want to keep your valuebles (stereo equip. etc.) you need to keep it out of sight. If you have a custom sub enclosure in your hatch area tint the window as dark as possible. Make covers for your subs, amp rack, etc. so they remain out of sight. Any aftermarket stereo is open game for theives. If they see it, they'll bust your window to get it. Do what you can to hide it.

vsixtoy

This to consider before you try and steal my car-

1st off its always garaged and never left longterm in any parkinglot, otherwise I take another vehicle that I could give a **** about.

2nd, you may get lucky and get into it fast, but you aren't going to find my killswitch (no its no under the dash) You'll never in a million years get it started.

So 3rd, you'd better start stripping what you want THERE in a hurry- because my SILENT pager alarm (which doesn't show to the public- unlike most stupid people with alarms) alerts me that some ******* has touched my car....

I proceed to rapidly and quietly dart out to the parking area and blindside the SOB with my 6'4" 240lb ***

Need I say more?

IROC57TPI

Believe me Dean, I am 100% legitimate. I don't steal, I repossess. And when I have an order there is nothing going to stop me from taking the car if I see it. I have had quite a few irate people in the past 18 years i've been doing this. The most common thing I hear from people is "you'd never get my car, I got a pitbull chained up to it, a kill switch, and its anchored to my driveway." Then theres always "i'll put a bullet in yer @ss"... Yup.. 18 years of hearing that and guess what? Not one bullet hole

Believe me, it takes more than a car stupid car theif to repossess a car. You have to know how to take control of situations. You have to learn to deal with people in every way. I have even had a few guys tell me "i'll spend the rest of my life in prison for killing you, but you ain't taking my car" but guess what? They eventaully end up walking or taking the bus.

Anyhow, as sure as you are about your own security, theres always someone out there that could challenge it.

Oh, and you're a pretty big boy, but I'm bigger

92RSSlowmaro

I locked my keys in my car once. The sheriff on my campus at college couldnt do it, neither could my friends from my automotive class, and the guy with the lock out kit was gone, so I had to call a locksmith.

When the guy got there, he used a slim jim and unlocked that sucker in about 10 seconds.

Makes me want an alarm SO badly...

aaron7

iTrader: (7)

I locked my keys in my car once too, and ended up calling the police (they open it for free ), but the guy couldn't do it! He spent 20 minutes with a slim jim to no avail. He then called for backup and the second officer got it open. I then went to leave after they left, only to find that they left one of the slim jims on my roof


Still have it a year later... but the ruler works much better (slim is just to wobbly)

FirebirdNYC

this is funny i actually got help from this topic about a few weeks ago, i had left my keys in my car, only set i carry and the spare was in my wallet in the glove box , i just got a yard stick and stuck it between the window and the weatherstripping and hit the hatch button, good thing my car was in the driveway and no one saw me break into my car

Dr G

Tom P:- How is it so easy to get the hood open? What do you have to do? Also, how do you get into the hatch? Will you post the details and some pics when you weld on your plate?

Does any one have any pictures of where and how to weld over a plate near the door locks to prevent these cars being so easy to steal?

pvt num 11

On the parts car CrazyHawaiian and I are parting out, the hatch lock was redone and the seller to Crazy didnt' include the key. We weren't going to strip the car with the hatch locked so.... His buddy (who was helping him stick a TH350 into his track car at the time) took a big screwdriver and a hammer and knocked out the retaining ring for the lock. Bam, hatch is open. Sort of loud, though, and I'm sure the impact would set off any alarm system that might be installed. I'll have to rig a killswitch inot my car as a deterrent - Hawaii is known for its parting out jobs on the side of not-too-used roads.

vsixtoy

Try me- I've put three different people in the hospital over the last 20yrs for trying to rob my property- two of them at the same time.

Problem with people you come across is they talk but don't act.

V6sucker

The fact remains, yes you can "beek up" your cars tolerance to break in by several means.
You can spot weld in plates around the door lock actuators/cylinders and rods.
You can add an alarm.
You can install a relay to the power hatch switch.
You can remove the trunk lock cylinder.
You can add hidden relays and switches to kill the ignition system.

One of the tightest security systems I have seen is where they use a ciggerette(Spl?) as a deterent.
They rewired the lighter to a ground, that gound activated a relay that interupted the starting circuit at the ECM harness. They also had the radio power antenna wire hooked to a relay that controlled the fuel pump relay.
SO you 1. had to have the cig lighter. 2. know to turn on the radio.

But you know that? if someone wants that car, there are going to get it.
The rear hatch breaks in a heart beat. I know. I just got finished trashing my 92.
The side windows are actually pretty tough. One good hit with a pointed object and they are gone. They actually withstood two good throws with a starter though. And another with a 5 Lb mini.