Can't get into my Explorer

[sigmarc]

I have a 2000 Explorer XLT that I bought used 6 years ago. The car is locked, the battery is dead, and I just found out that the key does not open the doors, it only operates the ignition. Moreover the key does not even fit in the keyhole for the rear liftgate window. Is there another key for the liftgate lock? Are there any suggestions for getting into the car, short of breaking a window? I don't have AAA.

 

[Blue91Ex]

um, not sure if this works on cars as new as yours, but you could try a narrow, thin, ~14" long piece of sheet metal with notches cut out of the side about 1/2 an inch from one end. i cant remember what they are called but i know on older cars you could use one to slip into the window stripping at the base of the window and unlock the door manually with it... anyone else have more detailed info on these things?

 

[sigmarc]

Sounds like you're talking about a "Slim Jim". I've never used one and don't quite know where in the door the locking mechanism is located.

 

[jd4242]

I'm not 100% on your year but the older explorer's had a direct wire from starter to battery that is always "hot". If you hook a jumper cable to the large wire on the starter, not small wire that engages the starter and one cable to the frame.that should power the truck up to open the doors and not engage the starter.

 

[sigmarc]

Good thought, but opening up the hood is another problem.

 

[pbnj22]

I'm not 100% on your year but the older explorer's had a direct wire from starter to battery that is always "hot". If you hook a jumper cable to the large wire on the starter, not small wire that engages the starter and one cable to the frame.that should power the truck up to open the doors and not engage the starter.

this.. but you will have to jack up truck and access from underneath engine bay... i have worked at a car dealership and had to use the "slim jim" tactic many times before.. works good on older cars.. newer ones not so much.. i have had success with using a wood block or plastic with a "wedge" shape and wedging it in the top of the door just enough to shove a long coat hanger or skinny piece of metal in there to hit the unlock but on 2nd though if your vattery is to dead to use the keypad then it is to dead for this technique... call a locksmith?

 

[jd4242]

Good thought, but opening up the hood is another problem.

this.. but you will have to jack up truck and access from underneath engine bay... i have worked at a car dealership and had to use the "slim jim" tactic many times before.. works good on older cars.. newer ones not so much.. i have had success with using a wood block or plastic with a "wedge" shape and wedging it in the top of the door just enough to shove a long coat hanger or skinny piece of metal in there to hit the unlock but on 2nd though if your vattery is to dead to use the keypad then it is to dead for this technique... call a locksmith?

You don't need under the hood at all.just crawl under the truck and attach the cable.the starter is right there...

 

[IAmTodd]

Start soaking the inside of the keyhole with Deep Creep. All 3 tumblers in my 2000 were locked up due to corrosion from not being used. I only got the drivers door working well, passenger would sometimes work and the hatch would never turn.

 

[1Aauto]

Welcome to the site

 

[sigmarc]

Success!!!

Thanks for all the help! Using several of the suggestions here, I cobbled together a solution of my own. I used a wire coat hanger with a small hook at the end. I used a steel chisel as a wedge to create an opening just enough to get the hanger in past the door molding. I got the hook around the door latch and pulled. Pulling the latch unlocked and opened the door.