I locked myself outta my 914 tonight.

Got a ride home, need to go back and get in.

I have the key with me. It locks the door, but won't open it.

It's the first time I've locked it!

Help me get in so I can stop and start

Use a coat hanger or a slim jim to unlatch the targa top.

Yes!
Keep 'em coming!

I'll get 20 mins or so of advice and then DO THIS

I jus keedeen.

Slim jim is the ticket! Took me 30 seconds to open mine when I was dumb enough to lock mine in Good luck! AL

Alrighty then.

1. AAA. They can open most things.

2. I didn't know about [1], so I had to try all, and I mean all, of the suggestions tossed my way.

So things that can sometimes work mostly depend on how shrunk/crappy the rubber seals are around your windows.

The game is to either roll down a window, or pull on an interior door latch.

If you can get a coat hanger in, you can try to release the rear targa seals. If you can get them loose, you can lift the lid an inch or so and get to the window crank or the door latch. (this did not work for me)

From one side of the car, you can run a long wire across to the other side and get to the latches. (this did not work for me)

With a heavier wire (used for hanging a second closet rod), bent appropriately, I was able to move the window crank down. There was a slight opening at the front of the drivers window, and I could work it in from there. Once you start the crank moving, you're on a roll.

kim.

Thanks all. I'm free again

Wish I had a slim-jim.
I used the coat hanger. Very tricky. I have patience like none I know

Took about 35 minutes.

So I can't lock my doors.
( not that there's anything wrong with that )

Glad you got out of "jail"!



kim.

Just curious... Did you roll down the window, hook the inside door latch, or release the targa latches? Nice to know what worked.

Naaa.. after he used the coat hanger and got in, he put the targa on (because it was about to rain)... and drove home.

-Rusty

I can't quite picture how you can release the targa latches using a wire, since you must pull down on these. Now if you have free access through the floor boards...

I am curious how others have "unlocked" their cars without keys.

Mike

I've had to 'break' into my 914 a number of times. Luckily, the 30 year old locks are well worn and can be pretty easily opened with any other key that is reasonably close to the same size. Just keep wiggling and jiggling while constantly putting pressure to try and turn the lock. Takes about 5 minutes.

On the other hand, I was once swapping cars with my wife. My 2 yr old son in the back seat in a carseat. Left the car running (1994 Saturn), got out, and by habit, hit the lock and closed the door. My wife was freaking out and went to call the fire department (baby locked in car). I got out my 914 keys which were in my pocket, and tried to jimmy the lock with them (same method as used on the 914). Had the door open in about 30 seconds.

No wonder car theft is so easy.

Demick

I'm thinking that using a coat hanger, bend the end into a circle, just a bit bigger than the window crank roller would be easiest.. then just run the coat hanger straight down and catch the loop around the window crank

Here's how it went down

I used the coat hanger, vinyl coated, mind you. (green)

I used some vise grips to make a tight hook at one end. I snuck the hook in between the window and targa trim at the rear most end first. I was able to pull the rear latches down one at a time by bending and twisting the wire until it popped down.

The fronts were way harder. I used the vise grips to keep the top between the roll bar wedged up so I could get the wire a far forward as possible. After I got the pivoting section of the latch around, I used the lug wrench handle I found in the trunk ( not locked ) to pry each latch down.

I felt like I had won a prize.

Maybe tonight I will lock myself out again and see if I can break in faster