we have a 1996 suburban with electric locks, don’t drive everyday as we have a 1968 ford galaxie and 1984 pontiac parisian (the everyday car). the suburban is used for long trips towing etc. not everyday because it is a gas hog. anyway it will not unlock. thought it was the battery in the remote but it is fine. the car battery is dead and the key will not unlock either the driver or passenger side doors. what’s up with that? it’s like the twilight zone, the key used to work. we can’t charge the battery because we can’t pop the hood, the car is locked tight. tried a coat hanger and still can’t pop the locks. any ideas? and where is the bar to pop the lock? we were told 8" under the lock but my son thought it was closer to the hinges side. all help accepted. thanks!
The key lock works mechanically and is not dependent on the battery. Are you SURE you are using the correct key? When you get the correct key, the lock cylinder will turn and the door WILL open. If all else fails, call a mobile locksmith before breaking the door glass. Much cheaper.
you would think but the key DOES NOT work. the tumblers will not turn that is why i’m thinking that the electric end of it has it in some sort of standby or something
No, the electric has nothing to do with the lock cylinder as noted in the other post.
The biggest problem with electric door locks is that people fail to use the key to open the door or have the lock cylinder lubed then the lock cylinder rusts.
Call a moble lock smith to unlock it.
Spray the locks with penetrating oil and then they should work.
Maybe spray a little penetrating oil in the locks. If the pins are stuck, the key wont turn. JB “Blaster” can work wonders…That winter driving salt mist gets in EVERYWHERE.
Hopefully the penetrating oil will get the key locking mechanism working again. As others have stated the battery problem will have no affect on the manual locks. Since the battery has died you may also find you have to reprogram the keyfobs once you get inside the vehicle again.
quote:
Since the battery has died you may also find you have to reprogram the keyfobs once you get inside the vehicle again.
Try simultaneously holding the “Open” and “Closed” buttons on the key fob for 30 seconds or so. Repeat for each key. That once worked for re-programming the ECU in older GMs.
The procedure has gotten a little more complex recently:
[i]Document ID # 397060
Copyright General Motors Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
Transmitter Programming
No Tools Required
In the event that a transmitter is lost, program the old and the new transmitters into the memory of the remote control door lock receiver. Up to 4 transmitters may be programmed.
Important
Once the keyless entry receiver enters the programming/diagnostic mode, the programming of the first transmitter erases all previous transmitter programming information. You must then program all of the transmitters.
Program only 1 vehicle remote control door lock receiver at a time. If you program multiple receivers simultaneously, the same transmitter could possibly be programmed to more than 1 remote control door lock receiver.
Perform the following steps:
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Sit in the vehicle driver’s seat.
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Remove the ignition key from the ignition lock cylinder.
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Close all of the vehicle’s doors.
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Remove the MALL PGM fuse from the fuse panel. Refer to Electronic Diagnosis in Body and Chassis.
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Turn the ignition lock cylinder to the ACC position.
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Turn the ignition lock cylinder OFF, then back to ACC within 1 second.
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Open and then close any vehicle door. You will hear a chime when the remote control door lock receiver enters the programming/diagnostic mode. If you do not hear a chime, start again at step 1. If the remote control door lock receiver does not enter the programming/diagnostic mode after a second attempt, refer to Electrical Diagnosis. Important: After 7 seconds you may hear a chime confirming successful synchronization. After approximately 14 seconds, you will hear a chime confirming successful programming.
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Press and hold the transmitter LOCK and UNLOCK buttons simultaneously for 14 seconds.
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Repeat step 8 in order to program each additional transmitter.
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Remove the ignition key from the ignition lock cylinder.
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Install the MALL PGM fuse back into the fuse panel. Refer to Electrical Diagnosis in Body and Chassis.
Validate that all the transmitters that were programmed operate properly. Refer to Keyless Entry System Operation.[/i]
I have had this hapen to my 96 subie. the way in is with the rear tailgate latch. first try to open it and then pull the handle down . . the handle hinges are rusted. after that use the key to open the hatchbach.it is an all mechanical latch no internal selanoid