Opening A Car Door When The Lock Cylinder Fails

Any car owner may find themselves in a situation where the vehicle’s lock cylinder suddenly fails and it becomes impossible to open the car. To get out of this situation you need a good knowledge of the vehicle’s mechanisms and an alternative method of entry. What can be recommended? First and foremost, remain calm. To avoid misunderstandings with the police (after all, a car is being opened), check that you have the vehicle documents and ID proving you are the driver.

Opening the door yourself

Any do-it-yourself attempts should be carefully considered and use improvised tools in a way that causes minimal damage to the vehicle. The most common methods include:

1. Wire hook. Find a rigid, hardened wire at least 80 cm long. Bend one end at a 45° angle to a length of about 10 cm. Pry back the window seal, insert the wire, locate the door locking rod and pull it upwards to release the lock. This method tends to be effective mainly on older domestic cars.
2. Looped rope. Suitable where the lock button protrudes slightly above the trim surface. Fold a length of rope in half and form an overlapping loop without tightening it. Carefully feed the loop past the prised-back door seal until the loop catches the lock button. Then tighten and pull upwards to disengage the lock.
3. Drilling (if power is available). Use a drill with an appropriately sized bit to bore out the lock mechanism. It is important to judge the drilling depth carefully to avoid damaging the inner door trim.

Methods such as levering back the top of the door, smashing glass, or using a screwdriver cause substantial and unnecessary damage and should only be used as a last resort, for example when you are far from any populated area.

Calling in professionals

The optimal solution is to call a professional, whether an independent locksmith or roadside assistance. The usual procedure is as follows:

• the driver reports the incident (phone numbers for specialists can be obtained from directory enquiries or advertisements);
• the vehicle’s location and make are confirmed, and arrival time and contact numbers agreed;
• on arrival, the driver must present documents proving ownership of the vehicle;
• the technicians assess the condition of the lock cylinder and decide on a method of entry;
• they agree the proposed actions and any likely consequences with the vehicle owner;
• the work carried out is recorded in a written or verbal agreement;
• they carry out the opening.

Bear in mind that a failed lock cylinder will usually need to be replaced, and in many cases the boot/boot-lid cylinder will need replacing at the same time unless you want to use two different keys. The technicians who carried out the entry work can usually recommend local garages where a proper replacement for your particular model can be fitted quickly and to a good standard.

Which option is best

Choosing between attempting to open the lock yourself and calling a professional auto locksmith depends on the owner’s preferences, the circumstances and the location, but consider the following:

1. Time. How long you will spend attempting to open the lock yourself is unpredictable if you lack experience. A professional’s time is limited to travel and the work itself.
2. Tools and materials. Most drivers will not be carrying the specialised tools required, whereas a professional will have them on hand.
3. Appearance and technical condition. The DIY methods above do not guarantee preservation of paintwork or structural features. An experienced technician greatly reduces the risk of such damage.
4. Cost. Hiring a professional entails a fee, but the damage caused by amateur attempts (broken glass, damaged rubber seals, panel beating and repainting) is likely to be far more expensive.

Therefore, whenever it is possible to call a specialist in emergency car door opening, you should generally refrain from attempting methods that often result in significantly higher repair costs.