Locked keys in car…. Locksmiths can’t help

[Roo]

Dumb move, shut the door with the keys inside and the doors were locked.

Called someone to try and get a stick in there and no luck.

Called 2 locksmiths and neither could unlock the doors.

Suggestions? One said they needed to drill the lock out which I really don’t want to do.

I can’t believe a 1981 door lock is that hard to pick.

[MrChocky]

Dumb move, shut the door with the keys inside and the doors were locked.

Called someone to try and get a stick in there and no luck.

Called 2 locksmiths and neither could unlock the doors.

Suggestions? One said they needed to drill the lock out which I really don’t want to do.

I can’t believe a 1981 door lock is that hard to pick.

And on Xmas eve! You might need to contact James Epsey. He is the DeLorean keymaster.

[Michael]

Dumb move, shut the door with the keys inside and the doors were locked.

Called someone to try and get a stick in there and no luck.

Called 2 locksmiths and neither could unlock the doors.

Suggestions? One said they needed to drill the lock out which I really don’t want to do.

I can’t believe a 1981 door lock is that hard to pick.

You are right. There is nothing at all special about those locks. Most "lock picks" are not locksmiths at all but entry specialists. In other words, they gain access into your car with a variety of tools without going near the actual lock tumbler.

Getting a key isn't hard with the vendors, but I know you need in now. I wonder if there is a way to trip the inertia switch from outside the car?

I'm actually a little surprised a set of "jigglers" wouldn't do the trick.

[Roo]

You are right. There is nothing at all special about those locks. Most "lock picks" are not locksmiths at all but entry specialists. In other words, they gain access into your car with a variety of tools without going near the actual lock tumbler.

Getting a key isn't hard with the vendors, but I know you need in now. I wonder if there is a way to trip the inertia switch from outside the car?

It’s blocking our entire driveway [emoji23]

Does tripping the inertia switch unlock the doors?

They tried picking the lock but you are correct, they have tools which match most factory specs. They don’t actually manually pick the lock.

[Michael]

Just an idea if it's on your property, jack the rear up and put the rear tires on rollers, push out of the way till a new key (or a competent locksmith) arrives.

Yes, if the switch and locks are working (and battery), tripping the inertia switch will unlock the doors but I doubt that helps any since it's inside the car.

[FABombjoy]

Yes, if the switch and locks are working (and battery), tripping the inertia switch will unlock the doors but I doubt that helps any since it's inside the car.
Without naming names, a QAC guy mentioned that a soft mallet was occasionally employed to open a locked DMC from the outside.

[Michael]

Without naming names, a QAC guy mentioned that a soft mallet was occasionally employed to open a locked DMC from the outside.

I remember reading something about that in the DML archives, but it was hush hush because the intel on how to gain entry didn't need to be public knowledge I guess.

[Roo]

Without naming names, a QAC guy mentioned that a soft mallet was occasionally employed to open a locked DMC from the outside.

Any info would be appreciated

[Roo]

Third locksmith said he can’t do it, suggested I break a window. Doofus.

Anyone know a vendor I can get a key from that’ll overnight it?

[M@rty]

U would have thought a 40 year old car lock would have been easily picked aswell..

I take it there is no way of getting a coat hanger in past the rubber to open the handle inside?

With a lot of modern cars with standard doors you can bend the top of the door out with a small airbag and get in with something like a coathanger straightened out and open the inside latch with a bit of skill providing there is no deadlock system on.

With a delorean tho with its stainless steel and gullwing door design thats not happening i dont think.

[M@rty]

Another thing you could try is if you have someone you know that owns a delorean close by, longshot i know but i have seen it before on older cars where a key from another car can unlock strangely only one of the doors so try both,, wont do ignition barrell tho but you dont need that ofcourse you just need in.

Another thing do you have breakdown cover, may sound mad as you have had 3 locksmiths out but in the uk we have the AA rac and others, they are usually quite good at getting in, they call the office and at some point someone nationwide will have been locked out of a delorean so the breakdown mechanic will log it at HQ what they did or how they got in to help the next poor sod.

Good luck... xmas eve aswell mad..

[Roo]

U would have thought a 40 year old car lock would have been easily picked aswell..

I take it there is no way of getting a coat hanger in past the rubber to open the handle inside?

With a lot of modern cars with standard doors you can bend the top of the door out with a small airbag and get in with something like a coathanger straightened out and open the inside latch with a bit of skill providing there is no deadlock system on.

With a delorean tho with its stainless steel and gullwing door design thats not happening i dont think.

It’s been tried, no one can get in.

[Rich]

That's a tough one.
Among the ideas so far a "real" lockpicker is best, somebody who can align the tumblers and rotate the linkage to unlock it non-destructively, followed by getting a new key cut by James at DMCH. That would have to happen later, after you tow the car out of your driveway since it will take time for the key to get there.

I don't think there's any way around the drop glass to poke at the linkage, assuming both of the windows are tightly closed.

Breaking any glass will be expensive and time-consuming to clean and repair. Either of the drop glasses are the cheapest targets. I'd do that only if the drop glass was due for replacement anyway (scratched/damaged). Or if I was in a big hurry and the difficulty of repair was acceptable. Or if James can't cut a key due to lack of a code at his end.

There's a way to pop a locked trunk but no non-destructive way from the trunk into the cabin as far as I know.

[FABombjoy]

Any info would be appreciated
That's all I have.

If your DLM is connected, battery charged, and the locks work, you could pull the drivers wheel and hit the fiberglass body with a rubber mallet to see if you can trigger it.
If the battery is dead you'd need to crawl under the back/bottom and connect a charger.

This shows the locations of the switch so you know where to concentrate:
https://www.delorean.com/pdf/DELOREAN-Fuel-Module-Controller-Bulletin.pdf

This free, possibly terrible advice comes with a 100% money-back guarantee.

[David T]

That mallet trick only works if, as already mentioned, everything is in working condition AND the inertia switch is NOT mounted on the Lambda counter. You need to find a locksmith that can get a tool inside and move the door locking control on the opposite door. The way to try it is to use wedges on a door on the upper back corner and get an air bag in. Once you pump it up and get enough room you go for a long tool and try to unlock the opposite door. Caveat, I have not tried this on a Delorean but it does work on other cars. Plan B might be trying a Slim Jim if you have one and know how to use it and get lucky. Drilling out the lock would be Plan C. Do the driver's door, that one gets the most use so it is the most worn. If you have the 2 key system this would be the time to go to the 1 key system anyway.

[pk2678]

Wasn't there some advice how to get the power windows working with some modifications in the engine compartment? And then to use a long coathanger or something similar where the speedo cable enters the car to open the windows? Then you should be able to open the doors.

[Acmetowers]

It'll be a long job but if you remove the t panel you'll be able to short out the door locks or window by the door harness.

Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk

[M@rty]

That mallet trick only works if, as already mentioned, everything is in working condition AND the inertia switch is NOT mounted on the Lambda counter. You need to find a locksmith that can get a tool inside and move the door locking control on the opposite door. The way to try it is to use wedges on a door on the upper back corner and get an air bag in. Once you pump it up and get enough room you go for a long tool and try to unlock the opposite door. Caveat, I have not tried this on a Delorean but it does work on other cars. Plan B might be trying a Slim Jim if you have one and know how to use it and get lucky. Drilling out the lock would be Plan C. Do the driver's door, that one gets the most use so it is the most worn. If you have the 2 key system this would be the time to go to the 1 key system anyway.

I thought of the airbag too but thought that would damage the car even if was possible due to the deloreans design..

Found this on youtube

EJFSanchez2
EJFSanchez2
1 year ago
Wasn’t there a trick where you hit behind rear wheel well near the door. Do it a certain way and lift the door open. Kind of like how in the old days if you hit the top of a newspaper stand and pull the door you can unlatch the door.
Stockholm Delorean
Stockholm Delorean
1 year ago
Thx. There is an "inertia switch" in the driver side footwell, which is supposed to open the doors and cut of the fuel pump in case of impact. Mine is however by-passed. And also, it only works if the battery is connected, and mine is not at the moment.

Was that what you meant with the mallet trick?

Other thing is how hard is the back window to replace,, must be plenty of bttf builders with spares as they are removed once the car is modified..


Found this aswell

http://www.deloreans.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=2152&pid=20757#pid20757

[WHO1DMC]

It'll be a long job but if you remove the t panel you'll be able to short out the door locks or window by the door harness.

Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk

You would have to cut six screws three on each side of the panel. There behind the outer door seal witch is glued on. That's of course you are using the outer door seal. I know of one person that isn't. So that's why I said it.

So this would be a very invasive removal!


Dave B.

[Acmetowers]

You would have to cut six screws three on each side of the panel. There behind the outer door seal witch is glued on. That's of course you are using the outer door seal. I know of one person that isn't. So that's why I said it.

So this would be a very invasive removal!


Dave B.Good point forgot about those!

Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk

[Roo]

Finally found a true locksmith. Took him 5 minutes to hand cut a key by eyeballing it.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211225/a07cd22df3350652ccedef82a0a3efd3.jpg

[Michael]

No wonder you were anxious! That R32 needs to be driven!

[Roo]

No wonder you were anxious! That R32 needs to be driven!

Exactly. It was raining and AWD donuts are super fun in the rain [emoji23]

[M@rty]

Didnt know it was a time machine, dalm nice one too with my favourite reactor fitted... good taste in cars with the skyline too mate.

Glad you got in...3 locksmiths with tails between there legs..

You can call your new locksmith doc...hehe

[M@rty]

Finally found a true locksmith. Took him 5 minutes to hand cut a key by eyeballing it.



I managed to get a secondary key cut from ebay on a suzuki ignis for my dad before using a high resolution photo of the spare he had, his car key used infared which the delorean would not have had but i used a launch diagnostic system to pair it.

Did you have that photo of your key originally,,, just wondering how your locksmith managed to eyeball your original key...

[FatCharley]

1. Jack up the front driver side of car.

2. Remove front tire.

3. Remove grommet where the speedometer cable enters the car.

4. Have a locksmith, AAA, or whoever you trust to come onsite with one of those fancy metal rods for pushing buttons.

5. Insert rod in the hole.

6. Start a video call between your phone and locksmith's.

7. Point your phone at the unlock rocker switch.

8. Have the locksmith guy use his tool to press the front of the unlock switch.

It worked for me. If this ever happens to you again, it could work for you.

[MrChocky]

1. Jack up the front driver side of car.



I'm told there's some risk of cracking the windshield if you jack up on side too much; probably not a big deal
in this case, but YMMV. I'd jack the whole front just in case.

[TheStoot]

1. Jack up the front driver side of car.

2. Remove front tire.

3. Remove grommet where the speedometer cable enters the car.

4. Have a locksmith, AAA, or whoever you trust to come onsite with one of those fancy metal rods for pushing buttons.

5. Insert rod in the hole.

6. Start a video call between your phone and locksmith's.

7. Point your phone at the unlock rocker switch.

8. Have the locksmith guy use his tool to press the front of the unlock switch.

It worked for me. If this ever happens to you again, it could work for you.

I get where you're going with this one but that unlock switch is pretty rigid, you could do it i guess. This is probably the only way i've seen it menntioned that would have a chance at working. I'm a locksmith by trade, I don't specialize in automotive, but i could most likely pick open the ignition with picks. A lot of people don't use that method anymore. I also have the tool kit that is made for specific cars and none of those tools would be useful in opening a delorean without damaging something.

[Nicholas R]

Just curious, can you explain how you locked the door without the key prior to closing the door? The DeLorean isn't like a Civic where you can just pop the door lock into the down position on the way out of the car. Did you look up and lock the door from the inside with it in the raised/open position, with the keys still in the car? Just curious since it seems like a really odd way to lock the door. In fact I don't think its even possible unless a wedgectomy (https://support.delorean.com/kb/a101/door-latch-modification-new.aspx) has been performed on your door latches (never done this mod myself).

Regardless, threads like this is why I keep a spare key hidden on my car.

[painterdave72]

how is it posible to lock keys in one of these cars unless both your door locks do not work?? or have the electric lock unhooked???? also where are anyones spares?? lol.. i think i have like 4 keys for each of my cars...

[chris williams]

1. Jack up the front driver side of car.

2. Remove front tire.

3. Remove grommet where the speedometer cable enters the car.

4. Have a locksmith, AAA, or whoever you trust to come onsite with one of those fancy metal rods for pushing buttons.

5. Insert rod in the hole.

6. Start a video call between your phone and locksmith's.

7. Point your phone at the unlock rocker switch.

8. Have the locksmith guy use his tool to press the front of the unlock switch.

It worked for me. If this ever happens to you again, it could work for you.
There is a way to do this without any phone (still not sure why that works anyway) but involves powering up a wire at the engine. I have done this myself but your operating the window switch. If anyone needs it, I can dig out the instructions. And I am an Auto Locksmith, best piece of advice: as wrote above and applies to any car new or old GET A SPARE KEY. Time and time again I go to jobs where the customer says "I was gonna get a spare but the dealer/locksmith wanted $200/£300/£400+, I wasn't gonna pay that" (clearly does not apply to a DeLorean)! I re-key lots of DeLoreans and can cut from code if required.
Chris
C

[dmcman73]

I know you got into your car already, but, if you called DMCH and gave them your VIN (they probably want proof you own the car as well), they could cut you a key from their VIN/Key database they have. Not every single car is on it, but a good lot are.

I had a broken key and I just sent them my VIN and got a new key in the mail...this was 11 years ago.

[MrChocky]

I know you got into your car already, but, if you called DMCH and gave them your VIN (they probably want proof you own the car as well), they could cut you a key from their VIN/Key database they have. Not every single car is on it, but a good lot are.

I had a broken key and I just sent them my VIN and got a new key in the mail...this was 11 years ago.

Yes, or you can order blanks and get them cut locally; will cost you about $15 all up.

[dmcman73]

Yes, or you can order blanks and get them cut locally; will cost you about $15 all up.

Does the local shop have the car key codes based on VIN number? Local is a perfect solution if you have the physical key or a picture of the key to get cut, not so much if said key is locked in the car like the OP posted.

[MrChocky]

Does the local shop have the car key codes based on VIN number? Local is a perfect solution if you have the physical key or a picture of the key to get cut, not so much if said key is locked in the car like the OP posted.

Looks like you didn't have your coffee yet this morning. The context you mentioned, and what I quoted, is having access to the car. Obviously.

HTH.