Need help to break into my Explorer

[Majisto]

Hah, nobody will do anything as stupid as I did when I replaced the S80's battery.

Un-hooked battery in trunk + Electric trunk opener + Closed trunk + Non-folding rear seats = I unhooked the battery cables, closed the trunk, but forgot to take the battery out. The opener is electronic, and the key-hole would not work. I could not get into the trunk, and since the battery was in there unhooked, I couldn't drive the car anywhere.

How did I fix it? Well, I attached jumper cables to the front of the car, and somehow there was enough juice to open the trunk. I lost all my pride and called the dealer on this one. Talk about embarassing. Who thought of putting batteries in the trunk anyway?

 

[Brandons]

i believe thats were they are on many miatas too lol.

I always keep an extra non chipped key for the focus in my wallet. Locked myself out once (the first time i have ever done this) and also locked my cell phone in lol, i called mum who had the extra set but was 30 min away, to come and unlock the doors. So while my friend and I, while laughing incredibly hard at the situation, it suddenly started to downpour. Mom got there and never happened again, whenever i lock myself out i just grab the spare and other people just think im checking my wallet before i get in the car

As for the explorer, i dont worry, drivers side door doesnt lock anymore. Countless times too i have left the key in the ignition (all doors unlocked) in busy parking lots or at school (lots of nosey idiots there) without any problems. I have nothing to steal anyways, and no one wants a green and brown explorer

 

[cardumb]

the door jam is the opening the door is in. jam is just a nice way of saying hole. pry the door away from the truck only about 1/4 to 1/2 inch, pry at the top rear corner of the door just above the glass. hit the button with a coat hanger don't bother to try and pull up on the door lock itself. you dont need alot of leverage to press the electric lock button.

When I locked my keys in my oldsmobile a few months back I couldn't get it unlocked if my life depended on it. I cannot imagine that it's harder to do on an explorer than on an 87 cierra. Anyway, my uncle whose a hardcore car guy even came over and tried...didn't work...finally, he did kinda what you're saying, but he did it in the top FRONT corner...the hanger fit right in AND it was a straight shot to the unlock button (or would have been if oldsmobiles are made like explorer).

 

[stealthone]

For Future Reference

Most college kids have cell phones and most cell-phones have "Road Assistance" riders for $3 a month that includes bringing gas to and unlocking college kids cars. I have had my son under such a policy for years.

The true beauty of these is that the coverage is for ANY VEHICLE THEY HAPPEN TO BE IN (at least with Cingular/AT&T)
That means even if they are at the beach with their buds and their bud/babe locks him/herself out, they can get help.

NOTE: There is a limit of 2 rescues of the same type per year, so use judiciously.

 

[cgriffin_5139]

You can also get AAA on gut yourself not anyone particular car! My wife's mom has it and she has my wife under her policy. You can get gas, towing, vehicle unlocks, hotel discounts, everything AAA has to offer.

 

[cgriffin_5139]

Oh and if you have to break glass on an X do the back glass. It takes an hour to put it ( bolts in place)and costs like $25 from a junkyard.

 

[///Manuel]

92 Explorer. Just used the antenna and went through the top of the door to reach the unlock button. That wasn't easy because the top of the door is offset and just doesn't go straight down. Too bad I couldn't try out the screwdriver technique, didn't have one handy.

 

[draggn]

If you have full coverage insurance they will pay for lockout service since it is cheaper then paying a company to replace your glass. Check your police in case you need it in the future.

 

[ddarko]

Thank You!!!

I have been there and done that more times than I will **EVER** admit. Many times in the dead cold of Alaska which necessitates a QUICK entry method. I found a GREAT way to get in to MANY Ford vehicles and trucks. It will also raise your paranoia level ever so slightly.

Take a flat blade screw driver...normal size. Lift up your door handle and on many applications you will see it has the dual connectors into the door frame. Where those connectors go in (pardon the lack of technical termonolgy here) you will see a small gap on both sides. Ford was goodly enough in many of their vehicles to put the door lock knob with the associated linkage RIGHT above the rear opening and the linkage behind the door handle is not only threaded but is straight. If you are clever enough, you should be able to get that screwdriver into one of the gooves there and be able to push it up. You will need to go in at a down angle and you will feel it when you hit it.

I have done this on MANY of my Ford vehicles many times. I can't guarantee it won't cause any damage but it never has on mine and I can't imagine what if anything that it would break. So long as you are careful there is no reason you can't get into your vehicle using this method in less than 10 seconds or so. I used to have a Ranger without a keyfob that I would constantly lock myself out of so I started carrying said screwdriver in the bed of my truck. Friends would ask why that rusted out screw driver was always there and I always explained that it was my spare key.

WOW THANK YOU!!

I just bought a used '01 Explorer Sport TODAY which only came with ONE key and like an idiot I got carried away "personalizing" the cabin and left my keys on the seat when I got out and locked the doors! Honestly, this is the first time I've done this to myself!

Anyway, my first approach was to use the coat hanger method but I couldn't get enough leverage to hit the unlock button through the rear hatch. I figured I could use a weight on the end of the wire (I have a strong heavy magnet at home) to get the job done. But then I came across this post and it worked! Was a little tricky at first trying to get enough leverage with the screwdriver while keeping the door handle down but I got in!! So once again thank you sir!

Once I got in the first thing I did was look for the entry code.
I've read that for the '01 Sport it is located behind the passenger side airbag but since I'm lazy I decided to check behind the rear service panel thing and lo and behold there it was! (Thanks again to this forum) Hope I can learn something down the line that you all don't know yet so I can make a contribution back to the community!

Cheers!

 

[71cutty455]

I know this is an old thread and there are already a lot of good tips but if all else fails most dealers can cut a new key from your VIN #. They may require that you show proof you own the vehicle. I have had this done several times although never on a Ford but I assume they are no different. By the way this is my first post.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Yeah, I know, I just wanted to see how many people were gonna try it.

We got our secretary to try it- I said "no really- it works! I'll take my phone out by your car. Go outside with me by your car with your cell phone, call me. Point the end of the keyfob at the phone, and push unlock."

<click>

She screams with delight...

The next day she comes in and says "you @$$holes! I told my husband, we went outside and did it and he said 'well of course it worked, you're standing right next to your g-damn car!'" then she called us a-holes again."

HAHAHAHA!!!

 

[ddarko]

I know this is an old thread and there are already a lot of good tips but if all else fails most dealers can cut a new key from your VIN #. They may require that you show proof you own the vehicle. I have had this done several times although never on a Ford but I assume they are no different. By the way this is my first post.

Yea I have heard of that. How much did they charge? When I called Ford for a quote they said ~$100 for a new key + program or $45 for just the programming. I would image having one done by VIN costs the same if not more for admin fees?

We got our secretary to try it- I said "no really- it works! I'll take my phone out by your car. Go outside with me by your car with your cell phone, call me. Point the end of the keyfob at the phone, and push unlock."

<click>

She screams with delight...

The next day she comes in and says "you @$$holes! I told my husband, we went outside and did it and he said 'well of course it worked, you're standing right next to your g-damn car!'" then she called us a-holes again."

HAHAHAHA!!!

AHAHAHAHA LMAO! Nicely done

 

[tongue_fu_master]

How do we know the OP is legit?...You guys may have just helped a burglar.

Just my 2 cents.

Have a great day

Tongue.

 

[protomind]

....
nevermind

 

[71cutty455]

Yea I have heard of that. How much did they charge? When I called Ford for a quote they said ~$100 for a new key + program or $45 for just the programming. I would image having one done by VIN costs the same if not more for admin fees?

It was only like $5-$10 but that was for a key without any chip/programming. The ones I've had cut from the VINs were not Fords but I'd imagine they can do it just as simple. It wasn't any drawn out lengthy process, I just brought my title to the dealer and 15 minutes later walked out with a key....

 

[Essex4x4]

Use an Auto Jiggler, here just watch this video it should help all those who own a Explorer
http://video.google.com/videoplay?d...l=4&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0

 

[ddarko]

It was only like $5-$10 but that was for a key without any chip/programming. The ones I've had cut from the VINs were not Fords but I'd imagine they can do it just as simple. It wasn't any drawn out lengthy process, I just brought my title to the dealer and 15 minutes later walked out with a key....

Ah. Well I ended up buying two keys off ebay for like $12, got them cut for free at canadian tire and then had the dealer program all three (spares + 1 original) for just under $60 (crooks) including taxes and hidden fees (like $3 "environmental fee" charged to customer, wtf?). Anyway, I bit that bullet rather than spend a lot of time searching for someone else to program it for me. I guess if I lose one now I should be able to reprogram a third key myself at least.

 

[Nocturnall]

I locked my keys in my explorer but had AAA to come unlock it for me, damn alarm. On my escort I grabbed the outside door skin, crammed my fingers in through the top of it near the weather stripping and bent it out till I could slide my arm in and push the rod up for the lock, this or the ole elbow through the side window was gonna get the keys out when I did it on the X if it wasn't for AAA. After unlocking the door I just kicked the skin back into place and off we went.

 

[sbhaynes12]

I locked my keys in my 96 Explorer tonight and I have work at 8 in the morning. I dont know the keyless entry code and I dont have another key... what should I do?

 

[ddarko]

I locked my keys in my 96 Explorer tonight and I have work at 8 in the morning. I dont know the keyless entry code and I dont have another key... what should I do?

Have you tried any of the methods mentioned in this thread?

Jimmy locking mechanism via hole in driver side door handle
rear hatch window pry
front door jamb pry
CAA/AAA
rock through window
dealer/locksmith + VIN

In that order (due to your time constraints). I sold my X a while ago and haven't been around here in some time but I'm still subscribed