Hi all



My daughters car (fiat 500 2012 1.2) has been sat around doing very little miles over the last couple of months. It had trouble starting so put the battery on a full cycle. It's now been a few weeks and have found itvs probably died again. The problem I have is the manual door lock doesn't seem to work either so we have no way of accessing the car. The key just doesn't want to turn in either direction.



Could anyone offer any advice?



Many thanks

typecastboy will know. Welcome by the way, stay safe. ?

This is a very good reason everyone should lock the car with the key every month, its probably never moved since manufacturer, spray WD40 in the lock, leave it over night then try again.
I think this cropped up recently, they jacked the car up and managed to attach a "power feed" possibly jump cable to the starter this gave enough power to unlock the car.

Key anticlockwise to unlock

Does the car have Bluetooth? this has been found to be a cause of constant drain, but more likely a new battery now as its had it.

Also possible the key has worn to the point it no longer perfectly matches the door lock.

If the car's in a secure location it's not a bad idea to leave the bonnet popped so you can access the battery in these circumstances. If it's on the street of course that's out of the question.

Lots of WD40 may free it up.

Have you ever used the key in the door? Might have had a different handle fitted (many reports of broken handles) and the doorlock does not match your key.

Getting electricity to it from underneath might be teh best option, but take care not to short it out on anything. Fit the cable to the car before attaching the other end to a power source.

I’ve just fixed this in my Sport. The rod has come off.


https://youtu.be/rIvOg7E_Hmg

typecastboy said:

I’ve just fixed this in my Sport. The rod has come off.


https://youtu.be/rIvOg7E_Hmg

Click to expand...

I would have thought that if the rod was off, the key would turn, but do nothing. The OP has a lock that will not turn, so we're thinking seized barrel, or wrong key/barrel combination.

Needs to employ a car thief to open the car.

portland_bill said:

I would have thought that if the rod was off, the key would turn, but do nothing. The OP has a lock that will not turn, so we're thinking seized barrel, or wrong key/barrel combination.



Needs to employ a car thief to open the car.

Click to expand...

Oh yes, I must have missed that bit.

Thanks all. Used plenty of Wd40 yesterday and left to work its way in overnight. No joy. Just applied some lithium grease but I don't think it'll make any difference. We have never used the key to open the car. Looks like we may have to pop one of the back windows. Are they expensive to have replaced?

Have you tried a mobile locksmith? Might be cheaper than replacing a window.

No don't do that. You can get a front glass for £25. I sell them for £18. But if you can get a tool in without damaging the top of the door like was done when my current project was stolen, you can get something on the door handle and open it.

OK that's food for thought. A mobile locksmith quoted £80 to gain access. They're going to quote for a new lock.

Do you think it would be possible to service the lock from inside the car?

fatspanner said:

OK that's food for thought. A mobile locksmith quoted £80 to gain access. They're going to quote for a new lock.



Do you think it would be possible to service the lock from inside the car?

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If you look at my video, you will see how to get the lock out of the handle. It’s easy but unless you change the ignition, door and petrol cap you’ll have different keys.

There’s a possibility it’s the locking mechanism rather than the actual lock. £20 on eBay. Easy to fit. Once you get the door open from the inside it might give you more of an idea. It could have been an attempted theft by jamming a screwdriver into the barrel though.

https://youtu.be/rIvOg7E_Hmg

Thanks, that's really useful. I'll probably go down the route of smashing the drivers side window. Do you have a link to the replacement you mentioned.

fatspanner said:

Thanks, that's really useful. I'll probably go down the route of smashing the drivers side window. Do you have a link to the replacement you mentioned.

Click to expand...

Before you do that , post roughly where you are, someone who can get in with breaking window may be nearby(-:

OK, I'm in Nottinghamshire NG17

If you have a jack axle stand and jump leads you should be able to connect power to the alternator positive cable and engine block and provide enough power to unlock the car

fatspanner said:

OK, I'm in Nottinghamshire NG17

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Too far for me.
Any one compitant near NG17?

fatspanner said:

Thanks, that's really useful. I'll probably go down the route of smashing the drivers side window. Do you have a link to the replacement you mentioned.

Click to expand...

This is the cheapest at the moment. Make sure it’s got the little black plastic thing otherwise it won’t stay in the runners.


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274356804453

jackwhoo said:

Before you do that , post roughly where you are, someone who can get in with breaking window may be nearby(-:

Click to expand...

And this is the door lock which it may be.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/143586796564