Please HELP! Locked Keys inside Car. Doh!

[Rockyroad]

Hey guys,
I’m sure someone else has had that dumass moment when you see the keys in the ignition just as you lock the doors. (I’ve searched and couldn’t find anything)

I suppose it’s been a while since I’ve come across this due to the modern central locking and unlocking/locking from buttons on the keys.
Well my Vit is oldscool when it comes to technology. Hand windy windows and all!

So anyway locked the doors with my keys inside. I’m at work for the next 6-8 hours, and I’ll have access some tools/bendy metal rods etc.

Can anyone point me in the right direction so I’m not fiddling around for hours? I’ll have about 30min of daylight if I get out late.

As said there is no electronic security etc I have to worry about and I noticed the rubber seal on the passenger window looks to have been lifted before (prolly previous owner)

And no, I don’t have any other keys at home, one set only, inside the car.

Ahh it was so stupid I was holding some small things in both hands and thought I had my keys. Lesson learned only lock the door with the keys, or look at keys in hand then lock door!

Suzuki Vitara 98, 8V, manual 4x4, 3Door, tintop.

Cheers,
I don’t suppose this old design can be opened by using a fork handle as a key??

[Bex]

If you can find somebody with a Slim Jim (the gards usually have one), you should be able to get in. The lock knobs (at least on my car) are straight up and down, so it is difficult (but possible) to go through the side of the window and try to latch on to the locking knob and pull it up. Far easier to shove the Slim Jim down into the door itself and catch the locking mechanism that way and pull it up. Of course, any locksmith will be able to get in for you, as well. I don't have that problem, as I am soft top, and having locked my keys in many times, am pretty happy that the car is easy enough to brake into. Are you sure that your tailgate is locked???

[Rockyroad]

Ah ha,
Bex to the rescue again. Unfortunately though stupid enough to lock myself out I did check all the doors; all 3 doors are locked. Would a bent clothes hanger do the trick?

Would I just go in line with the lock button?

I was gonna get a softie but thought with our climate and long commutes the wind and cold would wreck my head as a daily driver. Plus living in a city, though they do look the biz and in the summer on the beach I’m sure yer smiling… as well as the times you lock yourself out!

Well at the very least if I don’t get it myself I know I’m not the only one to do it

[razor02097]

The only thing that isn't going to do damage is (like Bex said) a slim jim in the hands of an experienced individual...

[Rockyroad]

well as a side job im a car jacker... that kind of experience

I've done it a bunch of times when I was 15 on a mitsubishi lancer that my mam was forever locking keys in.

Just looking for tips as to where exactly I should be fishing on the vit to save time and lessen chance of damage. Worse case I'll have to get someone to do it, if its not easy for me I wont keep going at it until something breaks.

[Bex]

As you have auatomatic door locks, your inside mechanism may not be similar to mine, but here is mine, which will show you that a rod extends straight down from the door lock knob itself, about 3/4 of the way down, that rod bends. If it is possible to catch the rod at that bend, and pull up, then you would unlock the door. Again, most of the gards do have the slim jim, in case you don't get in doing it yourself.

[Rockyroad]

Success, removed rubber sill seal, Clothes hanger and 15mins.

I do have an alarm but didn't mention it as it wasn't on...I'm glad I have an alarm! This was a lot easier than expected, not as easy as maybe a soft top but not hard at all.

Thanks for the help,
It would have been a mega pain in the arse if I couldnt have got it myself.

[Rockyroad]

Originally Posted by Bex

As you have auatomatic door locks, your inside mechanism may not be similar to mine, but here is mine, which will show you that a rod extends straight down from the door lock knob itself, about 3/4 of the way down, that rod bends. If it is possible to catch the rod at that bend, and pull up, then you would unlock the door. Again, most of the gards do have the slim jim, in case you don't get in doing it yourself.

Fortunately in this case but unfortunately in general, although my car is a 1998 everything is bog standard, there are no fancy electrics. hand winding windows, no central locking, no mod-cons at al really, locking yerself out is about the only thing that could go wrong cause there’s nothing fancy to break. I'm lucky i don’t have to crank the engine!

Thanks again

[Bex]

Ah, well done. Good idea to get yourself a spare key now (even though it might not have helped here). This episode may just have been a warning from 'beyond'.....

[Rockyroad]

Originally Posted by Bex

Ah, well done. Good idea to get yourself a spare key now (even though it might not have helped here). This episode may just have been a warning from 'beyond'.....

yeah your right. I think next time i'll lock the hanger inside and keep the keys.

I had already tried to get one cut but they were out of my size. Your're right though it wouldnt have helped. Home is Dublin (where keys would have been left had I a spare), work is Galway (live there during the week). To cover all basis I should have a few sets, or one good brain that's not half asleep in the morning... didn't have my wheatabix that day!

PS thanks so much for going to the trouble of the door schematic.