Are you saying the key does not open the door??

Try using a jumper wire/boost box, connect (+) to main starter lug, (-) to fame/engine.. this should power the battery then you can use the remote..

Good luck!

... Philip

 

Phillip,
The battery is so dead I cannot open the door by hand. Will this method ( all new to me ) power the battery enough to use the key in the door?

 

I see the door key goes through to the latch mechanism, does this only operate an electrical switch and not mechanical linkage. That's pretty blooming useless in this case.
Yes if you can get power onto the starter motor feed as suggested it should unlock.

 

Next time I disconnect my battery, I will test whether the key can or cannot unlock the driver door.

 

Yesterday's afternoon, I removed the driver door's panel to fix my speaker. I decided to check the key barrel from the inside and didn't see any mechanical linkage from the key to the rest of the locking system. It seems to be just a switch.

I've never experienced a battery so dead, that it can't operate the door lock actuators. In my late Datsun, I was able to unlock doors with battery giving 6~8 volts. In my previous tracker, the doors worked even when the car wouldn't even turn on the dim lights.
However, this Vitara is the first car I've owned with factory installed-BCM controlled power locks.

So, in the unlikely scenario you open the engine hood, raise all windows, step off the car, lock doors, remove the car battery and close the hood... are you officially f****d??
(This, unless the blessed BCM, using some kind of leftover power, unlocks a door when it detects the battery is removed).

These systems are pure evil. :devil:

 

I can't confirm this, but my REAR door/hatch seems that it may do both operations, electrically AND mechanically.
I feel linkage-like resistance there.
Try yours?

 

The 98-05 models are mechanical and can be operated easily without a battery. Before my GV became my daily drive I regularly disconnected the battery over the winter months.

 

The 06 onward models only have one "keyed" lock, the driver's door, and as far as I know, that will always lock/unlock with the key.

What happens when you try unlocking it with the key, does the key turn? If the door is locked, the key should turn in the lock direction (top to front) with no resistance, and as you turn to unlock (top to rear) you should feel (and hear) the mechanism click over.

 

Slim Jim. $1 - $2 bucks.

Metal coathanger free.

Novice 5 - 10 minutes, old guy - been there done that on sisters car
more times than can remember 1 - 2 tries - 30 seconds.

Don

.

 

I've seen slim jims used on cars with the pull up-push down pin system. Easy to catch the metal rod and pull it upwards. My Vitara uses a wire system, whose moving parts are not really easy to see/grab.

Does it work here too?

 

If there is anything that can be hooked, I would imagine it could be opened with the right technique. Up, down in - out, even twist or turn.

Sometimes a piece of string will work.

I have opened many with a piece of 6 gauge wire since that was a standard item on my work truck.

Rescuing damsels in distress while at work was always fun. :lol:



Don

.

 

Just recalled this guy that worked for the Coca Cola local company, here in Costa Rica. This was his story.

He decided to help his boss to open her locked Hyundai Accent/Excel. Crap car, anyway... at least those that we used to see here.

After many tries, he decided to force the key barrel using a hammer and an big ass screwdriver. When forced, all 4 doors unlocked, all 4 windows came down and refused to go up afterwards.

He opened the car as offered.

 

Haha!!!!! :lol:

and the crowd roared!!!


I hope she was appreciative.

Maybe he got lucky for that one.
Who knows.


Good story.


Don

.

 

Back to seriousness.
I couldn't live with the doubt.
I just disconnected my battery to test this issue. The driver's door locks and unlocks with the key.

Possibly OP has a faulty lock system or something changed from 2006 to 2009 model.

 

The OP used the word "manual" which does not unambiguously state that he/she was using the physical key embedded in the remote. Perhaps he/she was just referring to the button on the door handle, and was simply not aware that the fob contained a physical key.

 

Back to seriousness.

Yes,

that is what I would have thought.

BTW, my 81 Toyota 4x4 up through 85 - 86 you only needed a plain old pencil
to unlock the cab, on the side closest to the jamb just push the lock-
pull up thingy with the pencil under the handle and wala!!

Uh oh, I'm gona go check the 99!

Don

.

 

The OP used the word "manual" which does not unambiguously state that he/she was using the physical key embedded in the remote.

Actually, the reference was to a person, who is named "MANUEL".

Although he/she might have meant manual, as in manual transmission,
which could be construed as physically as with the use of a key.

However, you may be correct.

Still, I am leaning towards the more hopeful idea that the rear door was unlocked and they found their way in.


Don

.