ok so the other day I put my baby in the garage, then had my mates over and a dude who had never seen my car before wanted me to crank up the sound system.
I did so, went to show him the sub in the trunk, stuck the key in - and it wouldnt unlock?
I opened the boot earlier that day n it was fine WTF!!
it moves to about 2 o clock and then just wont budge, dont wanna snap my key off but yer how the hell do i fix this
Andrew's metal polish is in there! and my rags, which i needed today!
Hi Jay,
I've had this one before - do you have any other keys? - it may very well be that the key you are using has finally worn that "f"teenth off and won't let the tumblers release..
Polish - yes.... don't let it get in there if you can help it.
Another little trick which will keep all your locks (and keys) in good shape is to get some graphite powder (Bunnings have it) and every once in a year just a couple of "puffs" into the lock. Push your key in and out (no smart comments please) a few times to let the graphite penetrate the tumblers.
This is the ONLY lubricant for locks - the rest will attract crud and stuff up or even prematurely wear out your keys and locks - do NOT be tempted to spray WD40/RP-7 or any thing which will leave an oily/silicone residue.... graphite powder is the ONLY lubricant for locks...
as to two O' clock - I'm leaning towards the actual lock relase (not the tumblers and cylinder) as being the cause - I feel if the lock can be turned, the key/tumbler cylinder has done its job.
All the cylinder does is release a keyway. This permits the locking lever to dis-engage the clamp (tongue) on the locking plate(the part fixed to the end panel).
I don't know just how serious you were in fitting that sub woofer - but I do know you can access the luggage compartment through the rear seat - yes quite a bit of work to get in there (even in original state) but it can be done and may afford you the opportunity to avoid panel damage.
If you go this way, with good lighting you will find that you can undo the two bolts which hold the lock plate and your boot will open with it attached.
After that - you can pull the locking cylinder retainer down and release the cylinder for repairs by a locksmith..
This is probably the best I can offer, J - hope some of it helps.
thanks rosco, il have a play with that for a while,
climbing through my boot will be next to impossible hahah
I too dont think it has to do with the tumblers, I do have two seperate keys, I used the spare one to access the boot in the morning, I have been trying to interchange through both and get it to open.
The lock could be to do with rags hidden under my boot, or the face my boot floor can move slightly under a bit of force?
Im not really sure, will probably get someone to look at it for me
Sure J,
Yes, it could be that something has become trapped within the lock/striker - but after a little thought over dinner this evening on your problem - now feel that if the key can turn past the tumbler lock - it should permit the cylinder to complete the arc.....
My suspicion is that there may be some movement (slack) in the lock mechanism and something has come adrift preventing the release of the latching lever.
I would appreciate that you have probably made many attempts to "bump" open the boot lid with the key in its (best possible) unlocked position.
Pushing the lid up and down or "jiggering" may release the lock - but be careful not to damage the bodywork.
The other possibility I pondered was in the actual retention of the lock cylinder - is is possible that the whole cylinder is turning with the key - that would better explain why you cannot get it past the two O'clock position - this is my way of thinking, J - I may very well be wrong....
Let me know if you want to remove the rear seat - there are a couple of little pitfalls for new players - especially if you have fitted rear seat belts...
The backboard behind the upper rear seat cushion is held in place by bendable retaining tabs - if you carefully straighten those out - you will have access to the luggage compartment - you only need to release one side.
Pix of your work with the sub will probably be your best indication of which side to attack - if you go down this line.....
Let me know what evolves - I am interested in this two O'clock apsect....
we have done everything including beating the crap out of it (without causing panel damage) that graphite powder and everything....
now... i just tried to get into my boot through the rear seat, had to cut up my back board with a saw, then I also had to kick it to make it snap properly..... I now have decent access, there is nothing caught in the lock i think its just being a bit stubborn...
will have to unbolt the latch n screw around with it....
Two bolts or screws on the lock plate - the bottom part of the assembly which is locked together (bolted to the bottom rear end panel) and the boot will lift up with the assembly still locked....
My FC was the reverse. Just after having it sprayed (4 days after getting it back) I had a wedding to do. The apprentice at the shop put my locks in, upside down!!! I locked the car at the wedding, my brother went to get something and couldn't get in, bugger boths sides wrong!!! We ended up going through the boot, pulling the subs and forcing a broom out past the edge of the back seat and popping the rear door lock up. Oh what fun we had, at least I could take the bride and groom to their destination....
Speed and Style........... One day I'll get the speed bit.
Finny wrote:Hey J, good to see you got in. Otherwise you could have cut around the lock with an angle grinder and welded in a new one from a donor car.
Keen to hear what the cause was. Does it work once you got it open ?
I always found jiggling worked with doors, boots etc. Just getting worn.
What did you learn ?
Buy a wagon !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! or at least put in a cable for a remote boot opener.
How?! If you could tell me how, I would be very appreciative, because then my mooneyes/autoloc boot popper could be installed. At present, I cannot see how one would do this!
Craig wrote: Andrew you have a red so I wouldn't race it
