The introduction of new-era door locks in cars is now at its final stage. We can see those keyless entry systems even in cheap and budget-friendly vehicles. But those systems work well only when the battery is OK. Once the battery is dead, you will not be able to use the marvelous entry system and you will not be able to get into your car if you don't know some tricks.
Car battery issues highlights
- Possible reasons:battery age, driving conditions, drains, long sitting, electrical problems
- Types affected:all types
- Average age:4-5 years
- Most commonissues:low voltage, no crank, battery light, glitchy electronics
- Can you drive?only if it starts
- DIY fix:possible
- How much to fix?$150 - $250
Disconnecting the battery to unlock the doors - will it work?
First of all, you should know that many modern cars have a second battery. The auxiliary battery is placed in a different location in your vehicle and can get into action when the main battery is completely dead. So, if you disconnect the main battery, in many cases, the auxiliary battery will still work to support the security system, door locks, and other functions of your vehicle.
But what happens if the car doesn't have any auxiliary battery? In this case, the following consequences may occur:
- the car will lose any access to electricity, so all its functions will stop working;
- you will not be able to unlock the door locks with a key fob or keyless entry system;
- also, you will not be able to use the central lock to open all doors;
- the only way you can get into the car is the backup key that you may find inside the key fob or in other places specified by your vehicle's manufacturer;
- the door locks will remain in the same position they were at the moment when the battery is disconnected.
So, the answer to the initial question is "No, the door locks will not open once the battery is disconnected". This is the issue of security, manufacturers just can't program this function because car theft would become a much easier business.
Also, physically the locks can't open when they don't have any connection to the battery - they just don't have any power to rely on, so they remain in the same position as they were before the battery was disconnected. If they were open, they will still be open. But if the locks were closed, they will not open.
How can you open the doors in your car if the battery is dead or disconnected?
If it's an older car, it will have a special keyhole at least in one of the doors. Usually, it's the driver's door. The central lock will not work, so you will be able to open the door with the key but all other doors will remain closed. You will be able to unblock them from the inside of the vehicle.
Here's what you should do:
- insert the key into the keyhole;
- turn it to one of the sides and try to open the door;
- if it's still blocked, then the key to another side and open the door.
It may require some physical effort to open the lock because you don't have the support of the system that is usually backed up by the battery.
If you have a more modern car with a keyless entry system, you will have to make some more steps to unlock the vehicle:
- find the key that is most likely hidden in the key fob;
- use the same technique as we've told you before;
- open the doors, then open the hood;
- charge the battery and happily drive your car with all perks of the keyless system.
All vehicles have the possibility to open the doors manually. You just need to check it in the manual for your vehicle because different manufacturers offer different functions and ways to do that. Just check it in the manual now or at least go to some specialized forums and learn this because this knowledge can save your life in emergencies.
Final words
We perfectly know that situations, when the car battery is completely dead, are very unlikely. But if the electric system fails and you just can't open the doors, disconnecting the battery will not help you - the doors will not be unblocked automatically. The door locks will just remain in the same position and you will still need to search for the backup key.
About the authors
The CarAraC research team is composed of seasoned auto mechanics and automotive industry professionals, including individuals with advanced degrees and certifications in their field. Our team members boast prestigious credentials, reflecting their extensive knowledge and skills. These qualifications include: IMI: Institute of the Motor Industry, ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technicians; Coventry University, Graduate of MA in Automotive Journalism; Politecnico di Torino, Italy, MS Automotive Engineering; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Mechanical University in Skopje; TOC Automotive College; DHA Suffa University, Department of Mechanical Engineering
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