[james007]

Hello everyone,
Dumb situation to be in I'm afraid. I've lost my working 'flipout' key for my 2011 FD 5 Door Hatch, Petrol 1.6lt, Auto, Black. The second flipout key has broken (blade has snapped out of the flipout part) and is inside my car. If I can just break into my car I can find my broken key and get some spares cut. I know there's supposed to be some sort of 'demobiliser' built into the flipout key, but I was able to use just the blade of the key and turn it with pliers to start the car successfully before.

I'm hoping to avoid calling a locksmith, as it will be minimum $350 and there's a chance my spare broken key may not even be inside the car...which I really hope isn't the case!

[james007]

I have found this video that may work, but I'm hesitant as I may damage the door:
Tricks to Unlocking a Power Door When You Lock the Keys In : Car Repair Tips - YouTube

[Dazzler]

Welcum James,

Sorry to hear that. I believe there is a way to access the car by removing one of the front wheel arch linings, but not sure of the details. Hopefully others can help... 

[nzenigma]

Dazz is on the money. (he just got released from jail)

Jack up the car and remove the front wheel and the plastic guard liner. This will reveal a black foam pad at the door end of the guard. Remove it or pull aside. You will see the rubber weather seal on the drivers door.
Make up a rod & hook similar to the one in the video and push it into the car,
 Good Luck. Will help if you have an observer.

[james007]

Thank you gents! I take it the wedge in the door won't work? I've heard on this very forum that the i30 is a particularly difficult car to break into

[nzenigma]

Most are these days. This way you shouldn't do any damage if careful. The shape of the hook may need to be revised until you get it right. Thanks for the Thanks.

[james007]

I just realised my jack is in the car... So I'm not going to have much luck taking the tyre off anytime soon.

I've been trying to wedge open the door and put a coat hanger through. So far I've had some luck getting the coathanger inside the car, but twisting and getting it to the unlock door button on the driver's side is proving difficult. I'll keep at it

[tw2005]

I just realised my jack is in the car... So I'm not going to have much luck taking the tyre off anytime soon.

I've been trying to wedge open the door and put a coat hanger through. So far I've had some luck getting the coathanger inside the car, but twisting and getting it to the unlock door button on the driver's side is proving difficult. I'll keep at it

Find a friend and use their jack. Most Jap cars are likely to be the same setup. My Magna jack and brace works perfect on the i30.

What are you like replacing window glass? Cheaper than $350 but very messy and not as safe unless the window has tint.

[tw2005]

what's it cost to join the NRMA? Car Insurance coverage for lost keys?

[james007]

I get free glass replacement once per year - which I have already used within the last year when a tree branch fell through my back window

I've had luck getting a coat hanger in through the top of the door and onto the Door Lock button. Pressing it doesn't unlock the doors though 

I've taken a break and put on some sunscream and will try again in a bit! I'm going to try and open the lock on the door handle next.

[tw2005]

I get free glass replacement once per year - which I have already used within the last year when a tree branch fell through my back window

I've had luck getting a coat hanger in through the top of the door and onto the Door Lock button. Pressing it doesn't unlock the doors though 

I've taken a break and put on some sunscream and will try again in a bit! I'm going to try and open the lock on the door handle next.

Sounds like you could do with some luck. These have a deadlock feature, not sure exactly what that entails , but no, if the car is locked with the remote the internal unlock button is deactivated, I just tried it

[james007]

My central locking stopped locking my driver door for some reason a year ago, so I've only been using the key to lock the car.

I'm still trying - just come inside for another break. My plan of attack so far is to come in from the edge of the driver's window with my coathanger and try and pull the lock towards me. I've had some luck, I've got the lock about 25% turned and nearly unlocked the door. Bloody hell after all this effort and the damage I've done to the rubber weatherproofing on the door I should have just called a locksmith or a mechanic!

[tw2005]

My central locking stopped locking my driver door for some reason a year ago, so I've only been using the key to lock the car.

I'm still trying - just come inside for another break. My plan of attack so far is to come in from the edge of the driver's window with my coathanger and try and pull the lock towards me. I've had some luck, I've got the lock about 25% turned and nearly unlocked the door. Bloody hell after all this effort and the damage I've done to the rubber weatherproofing on the door I should have just called a locksmith or a mechanic!

yes, my thoughts too. I'm somewhat similar, hard headed  but sometimes it's false economy perservering. I can't believe $350 is the charge.

personally, I'm pretty handy pulling things apart so If royally stuck I would have shattered the window. About $80 -100 used and a lot of work fixing it and cleanng up assuming you don't get arrested , LOL.

[james007]

I've had to sharpen the end of the 'hook' of my coathanger to grip the lock on the door. I can pull it about 75% but then the coat hanger slips off and the door remains locked.

I'm pretty sure it was designed this way to make it hard to get into. I'll keep trying!

[CraigB]

You need a Slim Jim, you'll have no problems getting in with one of these Access Tools SJ2 The Slim Jim | JB Tools


I had one when I was in the US so was left with my brother, who knows what he's done with it

[james007]

What an ordeal! I got in after approx 7 hours of trying. I have documented the lunacy for your amusement:

I had to wedge open the door with some wooden blocks and use a screwdriver to pry open the weatherproofing rubber to fit the coathanger through into the car.


I made a hook at the end of the coathanger to grab onto the door lock. I had to sharpen the end of the hook to make it dig into the lock and hold on, otherwise it just slips off. You need to come in at an angle so you can pull the lock back towards you.


Once you've got the coathanger hook on the door lock, you need to make sure you get the 'lip' of the lock and pull from there. This will take patience, believe me. I was doing this for 7 hours. The reason I persisted was because NRMA quoted me $397 and my insurer said $800 to unlock the car for me.


I finally pulled the lock far enough open that the door was unlocked and I got in. I managed to find my broken key inside the car and I could start the car so long as the blade was in the ignition, turned with pliers and the rest of the key was right next to the ignition.
Yep, I absolutely demolished my weatherproofing rubber doing this - but I'm happy to pay to replace and install it myself.

[Dazzler]

Wow! I admire your perseverance James. I am stubborn and tight, but not sure I would have stuck it out that long.

I have rescued many stranded drivers over the years with plastic strapping but probably wouldn't work on the i30 handle/lock.

[eye30]

Well done to finally get in.

Now you need to source a new key and rubber and sit back and enjoy a beer or two

[tw2005]

I'd hate to pick an argument with you Geez

So how's the door? Is it still closing flush?

With the key is it broken or is it just the roll pin that broke?

[The Gonz]

I'd spend all day to not pay that kind of money, so I can identify with your priority.
Always the most economical option, personal time not priced as it's all good experience.

[AlanHo]

Congratulations - what a saga with - but with a happy ending. Good of you to document and illustrate it too.

If you search this forum you will find posts about getting new keys and fobs - have a read before you take the plunge - it could save you more money.

[asathorny]

jolly well done 

[nzenigma]

Well done James.  We were all there with you.

  But wait, is it YOUR car? 

Remember guys, if the cops come looking, this is the 'Mr Big' behind the heist

jolly well done 

 

[james007]

I should have seen this coming! Now my driver's side window won't go up on its own anymore. I think it's out of alignment, as it will still move up and down so long as I guide the window into it's correct place! I'll try and get a video of it. I'll just refrain from using the window now

I'm guessing that wedging open the door has caused a small amount of debris to fall into the electric door mechanism and maybe stuff something up. I'll have to take it apart to look. What a disaster this is proving to be.

I managed to find my other key after all this. The dog had it the whole time and dropped it at my feet a few hours ago...

[tw2005]

I should have seen this coming! Now my driver's side window won't go up on its own anymore. I think it's out of alignment, as it will still move up and down so long as I guide the window into it's correct place! I'll try and get a video of it. I'll just refrain from using the window now

I'm guessing that wedging open the door has caused a small amount of debris to fall into the electric door mechanism and maybe stuff something up. I'll have to take it apart to look. What a disaster this is proving to be.

I managed to find my other key after all this. The dog had it the whole time and dropped it at my feet a few hours ago...

Are you serious about the dog?

Is the door square? I think I asked this previous because wedging something that far personally i thought risky.

The glass would not have flexed so all that load would have gone through the mechanism and guides.

[nzenigma]

  Ever considered public transport, But avoid the trains, they have automatic doors. 

Glad its all over 

PS: The window will be sticking because the top frame does not align with the runners inside the door.
Eyeball it and If the frame IS bent, put your wedge down between the door and the frame, then give the window frame a push to bring it back to original position. Cheers

[cruiserfied]

Well done but i must say you got lucky only because of a pre exsisting problem. If your door lock was operating correctly and you had locked it with the remote this method of unlocking would not have worked. The door latch would have been deadlocked.