Locked Out

Don't suppose I'm the first;

My GTA has just locked me out. The remote central locking was disabled a while ago, but the central locking has always reliably worked with the key, from the passenger side! But not today. There is a slight twitch from the button inside the car when I turn the key, but not enough to pop it up. So the car is spending tonight (at least) in a car park ten miles from home. Any suggestions please?

[stephendell]

If your battery is low you will need to put power to the battery with a jump pack. Using the live on the starter motor and any good earth is the usual way.

If your battery is good you can just about access the rod that works the door mechanisms by pushing in the door handle and working through the gap.

If either door has a poor seal or a window is very slightly down you can make a tool with a coat hanger to pull the manual door release near the handbrake.

Thanks Stephen, battery's fine, although I'd need to open the car to get to it! (There's a hole in my bucket, dear Liza.....) I'll give your ideas a try tomorrow.

[stephendell]

Often the lock solenoids fail when the battery is a bit low and lock you out. You are right you can't get to the battery easily as it will be locked under the bonnet hence you go to the engine and feed power back into the circuit via the starter motor connections which go direct to the battery. The solenoids may then work.

I hope you got into your car, did you? and how?

simple solution would be to phone the AA
we are quiet good at getting into locked cars without damage

if not a locksmith should be able to get in

I have practised on mine a few times and can get in using a tool I have ( a bit of fishing line on a large cable tie ) loops round the button easy if not a long rod to pull on manual release by the seat might work

hope this helps mate

I wondered how quick the AA would be?
Thanks Mr K.

Can you tell us what model year your Alp is please ? .......... if it is 87/88 onwards, you should be able to mechanically unlock the doors with just the key ....... no 12v battery required.
The pre 87/88 model year Alps do require the battery to be connected to lock/unlock the doors.
If the earlier Alp and there is a problem with the key switching circuit of a lock, it should then still be possible to lock/unlock the doors with the infra red remote plip.