Unlock Car with Dead Battery

[Carrot]

Has anyone come across this before, and if so, how did you get around it?

I have come back from holidays to find that the battery in my 9n3 Polo GTI is dead. The problem is I locked the car before I left, and now cannot open via the remote (obviously), nor via the drivers or rear tailgate key locks. I therefore cannot open the bonnet to recharge the battery.

Any help would be appreciated.

[seangti]

That's an issue... My battery collapsed on the weekend, fortunately (and intentionally) I'd parked outside ultratune as I had to clutch start it in the morning. I could still open doors with remote, my lights didn't really flash, though when ultratune put the battery tester on, it had 0 CCA (cold cranking amps). Your doors should be mechanical for that reason.

I'll follow with interest as to suggestions, as I too pondered and chuckled about that scenario.

PS. Ultratune didn't have a suitable battery so he jump started me and I had to get it from Kmart tyre and auto for $199... Not sure if that's reasonable or not, but wasn't in a position to argue.

[Blitzen]

Have you tried unlocking the car with both keys?? One of your keys may be flat too.

[buzuki]

Surely the key works in the barrel?

[Carrot]

Blitzen, I thought the same thing and have tried both keys as remotes and in the door + boot.

buzuki, unfortunately not. after doing some quick reading, the barrels on the the door/boot active an electronic switch which unlocks the door.

[h100vw]

Can you get a jump lead onto the positive lead to the starter motor?

Really surprised the key won't work at all though. It might feel as though it has reached the stop but I bet it will turn a bit further.

Gavin

[Carrot]

Gavin, I'll try again tonight when I get home. If I could get a jump lead to the starter motor, I'm not sure I understand what your train of thought is?

by the way, when did you make the move to Brissy from SA?

[DeanB]

I had a flat battery in mine and the remote locking wouldn't unlock. However, key in the drivers door worked fine ... so not sure why yours isn't working.

[kaanage]

Gavin, I'll try again tonight when I get home. If I could get a jump lead to the starter motor, I'm not sure I understand what your train of thought is?

I think he means by going under the car (it's quite open if you remove the under tray), not through the bonnet.

[Carrot]

Well I got the problem solved. As mentioned, the key did work in the door. I didn't pick up on the door unlocking due to the lack of feedback in the key when the door actually unlocked and also that I couldn't see the door unlock due to my dark tint and the poor light in my garage on Sunday night.

Anyhow, I am in, so just need to charge the battery and all is good. The lesson for me here is to remove the bluetooth module from the diagnostics port when I don't use the car for an extended period. thanks for all the comments.


kaanage, I didn't understand what would be achieved by being able to do this, but now that I am in it does not matter anymore.