Please Help...Dead Battery-Locked Car

[GrnAudiA4]

Does anyone know how I could go about getting into my car that is locked and has a completely dead battery. I just bought a used 98 2.8 that I can not get into. When I drove the car home I parked it and locked it up and noticed the factory alarm lights by the lock blinking red. Now the lights are not lighting up and the key is not unlocking the car. Windows are shut closed and the hood is also closed shut. I am trying to keep from calling a locksmith if possible. Any info would be grealy appreciated.

[culaslucas]

have you tried the trunk with the key?

[GrnAudiA4]

Not yet...I am completely new to this car and have no clue how the whole locking thing works...if I am able to open the trunk is there a way to get to the car cabin??

[Poopie]

why can't you just stick the key in the door lock to unlock it?

[GrnAudiA4]

I've tried that and it doesn't unlock...thats why I think it has something to do with the battery being dead.

[walky_talky20]

No, you can't put the seats down from the rear, but it does give you a few options:

1) If you have the winter package, the ski-sack (in the center armrest between the seats) is accessible from the trunk and you may be able to access the cabin through it - perhaps being able to open one of the rear doors.

2)If by some chance one of the rear seats was not fully latched in upright position (sometimes they take a bit of force to latch) you could simply push it down and access the cabin.

3) The most tricky solution. Access to the trunk will give you access to the Central locking pump as well as the trunk lid alarm switch. Both of these devices have a Red/Blue wire that goes directly to the battery via one 15 amp fuse. You could (theoretically) hook up another battery or jumper cables to this wire (negative to the chassis). This could provide enough power to unlock the car via the remote. Sort of like those "jump start via the cigarette lighter" things.

Just some ideas.

[Chard]

are you sure you're turning the key the right way? the key will still unlock the door regardless of the battery.

[Rau]

Yeah, that's why there is a keyhole in the first place?

[big_greasy_taco]

Put in key, turn left, door unlocks... No battery needed

[Siena]

From the sounds of things, the previous owner has removed the actuating rod from inside the driver's door lock. This means the only way the driver's door lock will open the car is via the central locking pump itself, using the key or remote, as long as there's power (charged battery).

So, with a live battery, the car can be unlocked via the OEM key fob, or by double-unlocking the driver's side door, the pump will lift ALL the locks. The operating rod within the driver's side door (linked from the lock cylinder to the door mechanism) is the only mechanical connection. Remove this, and the only means is via double-unlocking, which is electrical, and needs battery power to operate.

It's the factory deadlock / anti-car jacking function, whereby if you unlock the car via the key on the driver's side, only the driver's door is unlocked, reducing the instance of being car-jacked via the other unlocked doors.

Best way to gain access is to take a jumper pack under the car, connect the negative clamp to a good ground, and the positive to the permanent live on either the alternator or starter motor. This effectively restores power to the car, allowing the central locking to operate, either via the driver's side lock, or the remote.

I hope your car isn't stupidly low, and your jack isn't locked in the trunk too...

My advice, once you gain access to the car, please purchase the driver's side actuating rod, save yourself a bit of grief in the future. Good luck.

[CrtchRktRcr]

you're smart siena. isn't there a keyhole on passenger side? i'm too lazy to walk to the garage and look

[Siena]

On a '98, there'll be keyholes on both sides, but the lock operating rods could be missing from both sides, so the user has to rely solely on the micro switch within the door, and a live battery.

Quite a common security mod some owners employ to make the car harder to bust into. Unfortunately, it sometimes works too well, so even the owner can't get in.

[CrtchRktRcr]

ah yeah my roomate has a 98.. i have a 99

[Chard]

a tennis ball will do the trick

[Siena]

a tennis ball will do the trick

The old tennis ball cut in half trick doesn't work.

We live in modern times, not VW Golf I / II era.

[GrnAudiA4]

Thanks for the help fellas...I will try everything posted and hope I can get into my car...Will repost once I get in..

[tdn]

On a '98, there'll be keyholes on both sides, but the lock operating rods could be missing from both sides, so the user has to rely solely on the micro switch within the door, and a live battery.

Quite a common security mod some owners employ to make the car harder to bust into. Unfortunately, it sometimes works too well, so even the owner can't get in.

I thought of a way to disconnect the rod while still being able to get into the car rather easily if the battery does fail. I would really like to explain it... but that would defeat the purpose. It's rather simple, but pretty difficult to figure out by someone trying to get into my car. Of course there are other ways of getting into any car, but I like the idea of removing the quickest/easiest way.

Oh.. and for having your text in blue.

[dcampana]

nice info Siena....

dont understand why anyone has an issue with the blue text. its legible and an option for us to change at any point. another way to be different, but just my .02 and worth much less than that;)

[lotusgardener]

The old tennis ball cut in half trick doesn't work.

We live in modern times, not VW Golf I / II era.

What's the tennis ball trick?

[Chard]

The old tennis ball cut in half trick doesn't work.

We live in modern times, not VW Golf I / II era.

Maybe you haven't tried it, but yeah, it works. Regardless of what year it is, the car still has vacuum locks.

[Siena]

Maybe you haven't tried it, but yeah, it works. Regardless of what year it is, the car still has vacuum locks.

I know the old tricks that were supposedly tried on old Golfs and early Audi's, and I'm aware they still have vacuum locks on current models. I also know that no manufacturer would leave such a loop hole in their model's security, assuming it existed in the first place. Can you imagine the lawsuits that would arise?

But the vacuum isn't via the door locks, as in there's no physical connection between the vacuum lines, and the lock barrel. So, how would using a halved tennis ball as a plunger create vacuum in the lines to raise the locking mechanism?

[Tifun]

you can unlock the trunk with the key without it being hooked up. I dont have my vac line hooked up there......push and turn left at the same time.....

As for the tennis ball trick, i've tried it on my car, doesnt work. however it worked on a few other cars...however they were older, one actually being a mk2 gti hehe. I used a full ball with a small slit on it and simply just pressed it hard and fast while lifting the handle. Worked prolly 1 in 5 tries for me.

[somebody5788]

you can unlock the trunk with the key without it being hooked up. I dont have my vac line hooked up there......push and turn left at the same time.....

As for the tennis ball trick, i've tried it on my car, doesnt work. however it worked on a few other cars...however they were older, one actually being a mk2 gti hehe. I used a full ball with a small slit on it and simply just pressed it hard and fast while lifting the handle. Worked prolly 1 in 5 tries for me.

Are you serious........................ I thought my trunk lock didnt work

[terraflata]

Reading all this its kind of weird. I haven't had a battery in my car for a while. My doors do not lock using the key, nor do they unlock using the key, and yes the rods are in the doors. In fact I couldn't even lock my drivers door from the inside (Which later ended up as stolen tools from asshole kids), which is when I removed the rod from the inside, completely disabling any function my drivers side door handle had. I get in by means of the trunk to keep punk kids from stealing shit, damn I need a garage!

But yeah, just thought I would share. Maybe pre-facelifts are POS when the power goes out!?

Terraflata

[Chard]

funny, the tennis ball worked on my car.

[GrnAudiA4]

Thanx for the help fellas!!...I was finally able to get into the car....I tried every and all suggestions and turns out I was able to get the hood popped by sliding a long pole with a cable at the end of it and pulling the latch through the sunroof that I had left slightly open...

[Sidney]

Found the easiest way to deal! No tools required If can open your boot lid.
This morning I ended up here, because my 98 b5 tdi 1.9 flat battery. Worst thing was the battery power not enough to unlock the door.
Fortunately managed to open the boot by key.
Step 1. Locate your centre locking vacuum pump. Just below right hand side tail light in the boot. It may covered with safety form.
Step 2. Pull out the safety form care fully If you think its important then you can see the pump behind it Not fixed with bolt or scows.
Step 3. You can see back of the pump two black pips attached, theres lock mine in white colour, squeeze the white ring to clip off. clip off both pipes.
Step 4 You will see two size of pipe blow the small pipe with your mouth, back and forth. then you will hear the door lock unlock noise.
If succeed place them as it was.

[A1 A2 German]

Hello 2009!

I see this all the time. You simply jack up up car and run an alligator clip to the starter, ground anywhere you want, from another battery or jumper cables attach to the alligator clip wires. Now you have the power to unlock (set car back on ground, do not attempt to start as you'll fry the tiny ~22g alligator clip wires and aswell the cars still in the air).