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dead battery, can't unlock door with key.
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boyd
New User
Feb 8, 2009, 10:44 AM
Post #1 of 8
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dead battery, can't unlock door with key.
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Have a 2004 chevy avalanche, 5.3L V8, about 60,000 miles. I got sick (open heart surgery) and could not get to the truck to start it up. Battery is now completly dead, the doors are locked, and my key will not unlocked the door. Can anyone tell me what must be done to get into the truck so I can jump start it. Thanks for any help you folks can give.
Boyd
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 8, 2009, 11:18 AM
Post #2 of 8
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Re: dead battery, can't unlock door with key.
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Perhaps wrong key, duplicate that doesn't work well OR try another door??
T
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boyd
New User
Feb 8, 2009, 11:46 AM
Post #3 of 8
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Re: dead battery, can't unlock door with key.
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Thanks for the reply. Not the wrong keys. Only 1 chevy in the family. Only the driver's door has a key slot. Thanks again for the reply.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 8, 2009, 12:07 PM
Post #4 of 8
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Re: dead battery, can't unlock door with key.
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Arggh! Guess you should try lock spray or even WD-40 to try to free it up. Bet the lock almost never gets used and is good and sticky by now.
Is it cold or icy where the car is? This could be frozen from moisture and there's stuff for that to squirt in the key hole.
Also - check the age of the battery in this vehicle. May still be an orig and it's too old to trust for diddle if so now. Being dead for a time won't be easy on a good one either and a quick killer if dead and freezing temps!
The next approach if all fails is to pop the latch for the hood either thru grille or from underside. May have to remove a splash shield and it's still difficult on most to trip the first latch like you do from inside.
If you have a motor club like AAA try them as well. They should have tools to gain entry and insist they try on passenger's door if at all possible! I've seen the attempt mess up too much stuff that's in driver's door!
T
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boyd
New User
Feb 9, 2009, 8:48 AM
Post #5 of 8
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Re: dead battery, can't unlock door with key.
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Hi Tom, I'm in up-state N. Y. Yes it is cold. I tried WD-40 and lock spray. It did not help. The battery is only one year old so I don't think thats the problem. A mech. friend is coming today with tools to try and unlock the door. I'll take your advise and have him try to unlock the passenger side. I'm starting to think that the last time I locked the doors something went wrong with the door lock. I'll let you know what the end results are. Thanks for the reply.
Boyd
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 9, 2009, 9:24 AM
Post #6 of 8
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Re: dead battery, can't unlock door with key.
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Boyd,
Do yourself a huge favor when this is over with and totally check out that battery. They don't like being totally discharged ever but can be a quick kill when exposed to the temps of the area - not unlike where I am.
The electrolite can actually freeze and damage unseen with plates in side or actually crack the case! Even with a slight charge the electrolite won't freeze.
Car batteries aren't like cell phone - other batts and don't ever like a full drain down to dead. It need to be "load" tested after a full charge up if it will take it at all. Don't rely on the vehicle's alternator to do that either as that's real hard on it if bat is very low!
Good luck,
T
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boyd
New User
Feb 10, 2009, 10:32 AM
Post #7 of 8
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Re: dead battery, can't unlock door with key.
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Hi tom, my wife reminded me that we have roadside service. The guy wedged a small, heavy duty, deflated air bag between the door and the moulding attached to the car body. Then he inflated the bag using a small hand pump. The air bag separated the door from the moulding just enough to insert a long, rigid, slightly bent rod inside the car. The end of the rod had a ninety degree bend that was about one inch long. He positioned the end of the rod on the door latch, twisted the rod and unlocked the door. From start to finish it took less than two minutes. When I told him how impressed I was he just smiled and said he used to steal cars but not anymore.
Regarding the door lock, you were right. The lock seized from lack of use with the key. (lesson learned) So far the battery is holding a charge but I will have it checked as soon as I can. Again, thanks a lot for your advise it's really appreciated.
Boyd
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 10, 2009, 11:19 AM
Post #8 of 8
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Re: dead battery, can't unlock door with key.
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Thanks for getting back with the good news!
There are "kits" to get into vehicles like you mentioned and some pricey for everyone in biz to own. The motor clubs deal with this a lot and I'm really PSYCHED you got someone who knew how to work it without damage I hope.
Neat story on the guy who showed up to do it too
T
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