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Perhaps best not to describe anything in detail here.
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I last saw the spare set of keys about 2 years ago. I know that is not wise.
I can see the logic in not discussing it on here, however i just want to get in the car!! The recovery guy tried everything he could including phoning many people for suggestions!!
I know that cars are made to be difficult to break into, just didnt think it would be impossible!!
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Can't you claim on your windscreen part of your insurance. That is, break the rear screen and have it replaced, having got the key back. Would cost you probably £75 excess, but cheaper than a locksmith or Ford dealership etc.
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If you can prove ownership I would expect your Ford dealer can dentify the key details and supply a basic key.
The key is only needed to unlock the boot not allow you to drive it.
Talk to them Mon morning?
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"If you can prove ownership I would expect your Ford dealer can dentify the key details and supply a basic key."
When has a Ford dealership ever done anything for the greater good. They will charge for this service. As to the type of Focus, your suggestion might work for a Mk 1 as the tail gate has a dedicated lock, but the Mk2 is different. It would need a newly programmed key which aren't cheap. Remember they will exploit any situation to make a buck. They don't provide any charitable services, believe me. But hey, find that out for yourself and give it a whirl. I look forward to being surprised.
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unfortunately smashing things and claiming on insurance is not an option at this stage as I rang the insurance company to find out if i had breakdown cover with them and explained the situation. if i break he window now, i'll have to pay for it.
Car has been taken back to a garage overnight although the car is locked and the keys are in the boot, id taken out the parcel shelf so the keys are now in full view, if id've left it in the b&q car park where it was it would have been nicked!!
So far they have tried (i dont know the technical terms) wedging the door open with a pump thing and poking bits of metal in to try and open the door handle and trying to push the boot release button but of course neither of which would because once youve locked it you cant open it from the inside anyway!! He also tried, (forgive the crap explanation) wiring a battery to something in the gearbox, somehow that is supposed to make the electric windows work???
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Try to locate the spare you haven't seen in two years?
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unfortunately i have moved 3 times since then so i really isnt going to happen
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This has happened to me in a Ford rental car, Ill never rent another Ford because of it.
I got away with the help of the AA; this appeared to be the way they did it:
a battery pack was connected to the wiring harness from underneath the engine compartment, this gave accesory power to the car, then a wedge was used to create a small gap window frame to body front door, a small hand pumped airbag was slipped into this gap to make frame to body gap a little bigger, then a stiff wire passed through the gap and used to lower one of the electric windows (by pressing the window switch on the door) the AA man climbed in through the window, through into the rear hatch and retrieved the keys.. So it's possible. Good luck
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that is exactly what thet were trying to do, but they just couldnt get any power to it. The only reason they took it back to their garage overnight is because they were embarassed that they couldnt get into i and I think they were enjoying the challenge!! people keep elling me it would be easier if it was an astra...... unfortunatley....its not!
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Only suggestion I can offer is to smash a door window, cheaper to repair as you can use a second hand replacement since they are not bonded in.
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My thoughts as well, MF, a side window isn't going to cost that much to replace... probably pick one up from a scrappy...
As for the spare key, ohno, I'd suggest, to use a well known phrase from a TV programme... I'd "Make it happen" and find the damn thing... appart from saving the agro if this happens again many people get suspicious if you haven't got both sets when you come to sell... they tend to think you may be keeping one set back so you can nick the car!!
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If you have any fixed windows that are not bonded, ie rubber seals, just take a stanley knife to the the rubber seal. Cheaper and easier to fix.
Been there and done it, on the rear screen of a Fiesta.
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If you have any fixed windows that are not bonded ie rubber seals just take a stanley knife to the the rubber seal. Cheaper and easier to fix.
Seems like a good idea. Check it out with a windscreen replacement company ?
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Does it have a knock sensor which unlocks the central locking in the even of an accident?
Of course, the problem will be clouting it hard enough to set off the sensor but not so hard as to do damage.
It might not need much impact - there were reports of fuel cut-off sensors being set off by parking bumps which left no damage.
I imagine turning the car on it's side would do it, but that's a bit drastic.
Does it have a tailgate release button on the righthand side of the dashboard?
It might be possible to activate that by poking a narrow rod through one of the door seals.
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Tailgate release button is normally disabled when doors are locked.
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Ah, slight weakness in that part of the plan
Mine worked without the key in the ignition, but I suppose I never tried it with all the doors locked.
Edited by ifithelps on 11/10/2009 at 11:18
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Mine worked without the key in the ignition but I suppose I never tried it with all the doors locked.
Mine just doesn't work :-(
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Does it have a knock sensor which unlocks the central locking in the even of an accident?
Urban myth I'm afraid.
Of course the problem will be clouting it hard enough to set off the sensor but not so hard as to do damage.
Which could also set of the airbags and write off the car value wise.
Does it have a tailgate release button on the righthand side of the dashboard? It might be possible to activate that by poking a narrow rod through one of the door seals.
This is deactivated if the car is locked.
Best solution is to get a new key from Ford dealers, circa £80
Edited by kith on 11/10/2009 at 14:03
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>>Best solution is to get a new key from Ford dealers, circa £80
A simple key does not cost anywhere near that.
However , as has been discussed before, If you have only one key then Ford will probably charge you £160 to sort things out.
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>>Check it out with a windscreen replacement company ?
Further thoughts. call a windscreen co, explain the situation and get them to takeout the window and replace it all in one visit ( check they have the correct replacement surround)
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This has happened to me in a Ford rental car Ill never rent another Ford because of it.
why not?
surely the fact that the Focus is hard to break into is good?
lets think about it, Ford used to have a bad reputation that they were easy to break into, and steal.
seems to me they have sorted that issue out!
I am amazed just how many people only have on key to their car, and then when they lose it, complain how difficult it is to;
1/ get into the car,
2/ obtain a new key (with our franchise I admit its nearly like getting blood out of a stone - but IMO thats the correct way)
3/ move the car (almost every time a key is lost the cars in the 'wrong' place!)
also, many people leave their documents (V5 etc) in the car - making it far easier to move on if stolen.
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In the current circumstances I think I would go down the route of getting another basic key cut to the chassis number of the car by a Ford dealer. It shouldn't cost an awful lot of pounds, it is neater and cleaner than smashing a window and when it is all said and done, you still have a spare key that will operate the door locks in an emergency.
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>> This has happened to me in a Ford rental car Ill never rent another Ford because of it.
This set-up isn't unique to Ford. I know Mercedes saloons do the same thing. Remote release of the boot - put the keys down in the boot, shut it and you're locked out.
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Thankyou to everyone who has posted so far. The comment about impact releasing the automatic locking is very true, I had an accident a couple of years ago not a particuarly serious one but I stood there afterwards and watched the car lock and unlock itself for about half an hour, never really knew why until i just read that, at this stage not really prepared to turn it on its side at the moment.
The guys that have my car i'm sure are doing there best, i have now gone for the option of incentives. My fags are in my car. so Ive told them that if they can get the car undone without costing me any more money they can smoke the fags and i'll give them £50. Lets face it, its sunday and any other option is going to cost me atleast that!!!
Rang the local ford dealer. they said the only way that they could help was by getting me a spare done once i get the one out of my car, not particuarly helpful at this point.
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I'm fairly sure that a Ford Dealer should be able to produce a key using the details obtained from your Registration and VIN numbers, that is, if they can be bothered to look the information up! You would probably have to produce your V5C for them to be willing to do this, though.
You could just try unlocking it with another similar-style Ford key. I don't know how old your car is but if it's getting on a bit then the locks will be quite worn and there' probably more chance of this working. I'm sure I read somewhere once that you can use any Ford key to lock any Ford car, but it doesn't work the other way around so that won't help you.
Can't think of anything else, I'm afraid, that doesn't involve breaking something.
Edited by Galaxy on 11/10/2009 at 13:46
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This set-up isn't unique to Ford. I know Mercedes saloons do the same thing. Remote release of the boot - put the keys down in the boot shut it and you're locked out.
And Skoda, I was warned about it when I collected the car!
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You're just gonna have to bite the bullet and use the universal "one key fits all" method.
tinyurl.com/yh4psfe
.
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>>You're just gonna have to bite the bullet and use the universal "one key fits all" method.
I like it:-)
An updated version with holes for better finger grips ?
Unlike my auto centre pop it will not fit in my shirt pocket.
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One of my wife's friends has managed it TWICE;both times the RAC were successful at getting in but it did turn out to be the same mechanic both times!! And these occasions were about two years apart.
Edited by jc2 on 11/10/2009 at 17:08
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.. Does it have a knock sensor which unlocks the central locking in the event ofan accident?
>>
...Urban myth I'm afraid....
These systems do exist in mainstream cars:
'In the event of an accident of a certain
severity, locked doors unlock
automatically (to allow help to gain
entry from outside)'
Admittedly, that's an extract from the manual for a Vauxhall Vectra.
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Most cars I've of late has a similar worded bit in the manual.
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Price up a rear lamp cluster at your local scrapper......If acceptable, apply hammer.
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...Price up a rear lamp cluster at your local scrapper......If acceptable, apply hammer...
If it's a hatch, the only way to change a bulb is to undo an external screw - normally shielded when the tailgate is shut - and drop the cluster.
So smashing a cluster would only give you access to a wiring loom sized hole in the rear pillar.
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Window would be cheaper, tape it up with gaffer tape then a smack with a hammer and centre punch or one of those emergency hammers...kinetic energy is everything in breaking car windows. Gaffer tape will minimise the amount of glass you have to clear up later.
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I am surprised at the lack of success using the little blow up bags.
I watched them in use with the liitle box on the back of neighbours motorbike in which he had locked his keys. I was impressed with the use of gaffer tape to protect the paint.
They had a little camera / light on a stalk to aid finding the keys in the dark.
I would have expected something like thin plastic electrical conduit plus a magnet/ hook to do the business.
I have watched a friend loose his patience with a hire car and jemmy the boot open with a length of scaffold pole from the helpful AA van. The plastic rod that linked the boot lock to catch had gone AWOLl. Oh how we chuckled at the AA mans horror at such a crude method.
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Aye, but you could shove a garden cane with a magnet sellotaped to it through the wee hole......After many years you might get lucky......
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After many years you'd be thin enough to crawl through the hole Humph.
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Remove rear number plate.
Cut undersized hole in tailgate, but one big enough to poke a magnet, stick, or whatever, through and retrieve key.
Refit the number plate and no-one would be any the wiser.
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Cut undersized hole in tailgate but one big enough to poke a magnet stick or whatever through and retrieve key. Refit the number plate and no-one would be any the wiser.
Except for the hole in the inner lining of the tailgate
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My new car, did I mention I have a new car?.....has a keyless system. A wee fob thing which if you have with you in your pocket or wherever or it's in the car somewhere allows you to lock or unlock or start the car regardless. You just press a little button thing by the door handle or boot release. Or to start it you just turn a built in key wotsit which is a bit disappointing really. Brill though. I've got a new car BTW.
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Remove rear number plate.
Cut undersized hole in..........
ifithelps
I think that you deserve a price for the best (and cheapest ) lateral thinking solution! Get out the tank cutter I knew it would be useful for something.
Just make sure that you miss the linkage to the rear wiper and rear lock solenoid linkage!
Edited by pmh3 on 11/10/2009 at 18:58
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...I think that you deserve a price for the best (and cheapest ) lateral thinking solution!...
Cheers.
I'm warming to my theme now...
The hole might give access to the lock mechanism which perhaps could then be popped with a thin screwdriver, bent rod, hacksaw blade, or some other tool devised for the purpose.
This method might even leave the rear trim intact.
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The petrol cap on my dad's Zephyr was behind the rear number plate. As an aside of course....
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Where is it on your new car Humph? I've heard you have a a new car, btw. What is it incidentally? Apologies for thread drift, we'll now go to Humph's new car thread :-)
JH
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, we'll now go to Humph's new car thread :-)
No thank you - there's already a thread in existence ! :-0
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Cheapest lateral thinking? cutting holes in bodywork?
Thats it. I am firmly convinced that people on here are on weekend release from the brain hospital.
Edited by Altea Ego on 11/10/2009 at 20:49
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Thats it. I am firmly convinced that people on here are on weekend release from the brain hospital.
For the first (and hopefully the last) time ever, I am shocked to find myself concurring with the Ego....
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.. Does it have a knock sensor which unlocks the central locking in the event
These systems do exist in mainstream cars: 'In the event of an accident of a certain severity locked doors unlock automatically (to allow help to gain entry from outside)'
Yes, if the key is in the ignition and the engine is running (i.e. being driven into a collision!).
If the ignition is off, all such systems are disabled (for blindingly obvious reasons!)
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Plastic pallet/parcel wrapping strip slid through doors doubled over, so that the loop can pull/lift handles is often a good bet.
Lifting the door handle while pulling the loop may help.
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Plastic pallet/parcel wrapping strip slid through doors doubled over so that the loop can pull/lift handles is often a good bet.
The oldest trick in the book.... except that most cars made in the last 10+ years are fitted with deadlocks which prevent the door being opened from the inside when locked...
I suppose there's always a chance the OP didn't activate the deadlock. On Fords it's not automatic (it requires a "double click" on the lock button) but I'd be very surprised if the recovery man hadn't already tried it.
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Keys can be locked in the car - these are just accidents.
But not having a duplicate key is bit of folly. A key cutter can make a duplicate key for £5 and one doesn't need a chip embedded into key for just opening the door.
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I agree with oldnotbold's suggestion of not posting detailed replies here but - most recovery firms (not just the majors but the more local contractors too) should have tools and methods to gain entry with a minimum of fuss or damage. I would vote for bending the top of one back door outwards coupled with the garden cane / magnet solution. Unless the focus has manual rear windows that can be wound down and climbed through?
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Who says that it has got rear doors???
I would try speaking to a different more helpful Ford dealer about cutting a key. They can do it from the chassis number if they really want to.
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Try getting in touch with a autolocksmith
For example
www.theautolocksmith.co.uk/
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....Cheapest lateral thinking? cutting holes in bodywork?....
Altea Ego wrote:....Thats it. I am firmly convinced that people on here are on weekend release from the brain hospital....
AE:
It was obvious to anyone (not on release from the brain hospital) my post fell into the semi-serious category and was well described as lateral thinking.
Anyway, do you really think cutting a small hole in a tailgate is going to compromise the structural integrity of the whole car?
You've obviously never been to a body shop.
You ought to have a go with a compressed air chisel and then you might know what I mean.
Yet more tosh is posted by whoopwhoop, who tells me the systems to unlock cars in an accident are disabled when the ignition key is out 'for obvious reasons'.
Well, as an example, the Audi version is linked directly to the airbags - airbag goes off, doors are unlocked.
So according to whoopwhoop, if you are sat in a parked Audi and someone slams into it, the airbags won't work.
Give me strength - I think I'd rather be back in the brain hospital.
Edited by ifithelps on 12/10/2009 at 08:57
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Well as an example the Audi version is linked directly to the airbags - airbag goes off doors are unlocked.
It seems that Whoopwhoops point is that this system could not be used to open the car, I kind of agree if it were to set the airbags off as well!
Edited by cheddar on 12/10/2009 at 09:07
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...system could not be used to open the car, I kind of agree if it were to set the airbags off as well!...
Agreed, it's not much use in this case, but as the pair of them seem to think I'm mentally defective, I thought I'd reply in the interests of accuracy.
I think it's fairly well-known that if you slam into a parked car, the locks will open.
From a criminal point of view, the immobiliser is still set, so all you really gain by doing that is access, and it would be easier to gain entry by smashing a window, or jemmying the window frame of a door outwards and reaching in.
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So according to whoopwhoop if you are sat in a parked Audi and someone slams into it the airbags won't work.
Correct. If the ignition is *OFF* then all safety systems are disabled.
A quick "google" proved me right - the first result was from a Honda website techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/pubs/om/CV0202/CV0202O...f
quote
"A sophisticated electronic system
that continually monitors and
records information about the
sensors, the control unit, the
airbag activators, and driver and
passenger seat belt use when the
ignition is ON (II)."
Give me strength - I think I'd rather be back in the brain hospital.
Off you trot then!
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>>>Correct. If the ignition is *OFF* then all safety systems are disabled.<<<<
Not on all cars. A friends 8 year old was injured (broken arm) when the airbags went off spontaneously in a Peugeot 306? whilst the car was parked without ignition keys. He had gone to fetch something from the car.
IIRC Peugeot settled out of court - it was not an isolated case!
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Not on all cars. A friends 8 year old was injured (broken arm) when the airbags went off spontaneously in a Peugeot 306? whilst the car was parked without ignition
If they went off spontaneously it's most likely to be a faulty in the firing system - airbags are explosive devices at the end of the day - and a fault can in theory cause deployment regardless of whether the system is activated or not.
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whoopwhoop.
Presumably, you are deliberately failing to grasp this - I used the Audi/airbags example as just that - an example.
Your quote from Honda says NOTHING about central locking unlocking in the event of an accident - it is irrelevant to this discussion.
If you run into a locked Honda - key out - hard enough, the locks will open.
PU mentioned this further up the thread.
This is the point about criminals being able to ram locked cars to open them - the car is locked, the key is not in, the owner is not there.
What is there not to understand?
I get more sense out of the guy in the bed next to me.
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>>I get more sense out of the guy in the bed next to me.<<<
Can you pass me a new bedpan please - mine is full.
;)
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If you run into a locked Honda - key out - hard enough the locks will open.
No they won't.
1. The sensors involved in detecting an impact are part of the airbag system. We've already proven that the airbags are not active when the ignition is off. Without the sensors being active, how would the car "know" there is an impact???
2. The energy required to keep the airbag sensors and ECU running would drain the battery in a matter of hours without the engine running.
3. Why would manufacturers go to such lengths to install deadlock systems if all a thief had to do to defeat them was run into the car.
If I've not got through to you by now, you're beyond my help I'm afraid.
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And if there are no more suggestions on getting into the Focus' boot then please don't post here.
I would have thought what the breakdown guys tried would get a window open at least. Maybe they didn't do it right.
So apart from breaking a window, trying to get a basic key cut is the best option. If this can be done without the other one that is.
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Could the original poster get Ford to supply him with a new key by quoting the VIN number and proving his ownership by showing his registration docs?
I know that on a previous Ford car of mine (admittedly with the older key type) that there was an alphabetical code which defined how the key was cut. You could give this to the dealers to get a new key made.
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A smug reply.. Having locked my Ford key in the boot, and having had to go home on the bus to get my spare key, I now keep the key number writ large on a piece of cardboard in my wallet. I believe that the recovery organisations can get a replacement.
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Try getting in touch with a autolocksmith
I agree.. or any decent locksmith (not a "keycutter") - what's the problem?
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A bit ironic that when I viewed this item the advert immediately below was :-
www.ford-car-keys.com/
They may not cover your area but they may someone who does
Edited by henry k on 12/10/2009 at 12:42
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Not ironic at all... the adverts try to reflect what is on the screen. Other parts of this page will also be influenced by the content and subject. They are not totally random.
Edited by rtj70 on 12/10/2009 at 13:15
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I know an ex Green Flag recovery chap and they know how to get into most cars if it's possible. A Mk1 Focus was apparently easy - a screwdriver and a short piece of wire.
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Interestingv thread...As a former ' breakdown man ' I have attended scores of ' lockouts ' over the years'
I can tell the OP how to get into the Focus electrically without doing any damage but I'm not sure of the security implications of putting this on open forum...although I'm sure no potential felon would bother.
If the OP could Email me through the mods, I can tell him how to do it.
Ted
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I have similar problem, only I have 2 keys one with alarm fob one without but barrel got jammed. I turn key and it doesn't open I have notice that when car battery died and remote stopped working after good 24h without power. (new battery in the remote)
I have managed to wedge doors and get hold of door handle without success - somehow deadlock was activated when battery died.
Car battery is now charged but when plugged in: alarm goes off and can't switch it off with remote.
Any one could advice how to power electric windows from engine bay?
Ted, any other advice?
Smashing window is last resort.
Regards
Kris
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Interestingv thread...As a former ' breakdown man ' I have attended scores of ' lockouts ' over the years' I can tell the OP how to get into the Focus electrically without doing any damage but I'm not sure of the security implications of putting this on open forum...although I'm sure no potential felon would bother. If the OP could Email me through the mods, I can tell him how to do it. Ted
1400ted how can I contact you I have the same problem. .keys locked in the boot snd dont really want to cause damage?? Thanks.
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