Locked the keys in my defender

[bluetongue]

Locked the keys in the defender yesterday... :(

So found a coathanger later in the day and no joke - took no more than 2 goes to get the door unlocked...

... good from the point of view I could get my keys easily, but bad considering how easy it was to break into it.

Don't think I'll be leaving anything valuable in the car anymore...


... Scott

[harro]

Done it 3 times. Now I keep a piece of fencing wire in the back (my spare keys) Yes it is surprisingly easy to do.:twobeers:

[chunk]

most cars are easy to get into, if they were'nt the nrma and others would be out of a job. and the locks are only there to keep the honest people out.:)

[JDNSW]

Both my County and 2a make it impossible to lock the keys in. Interestingly the only car I have ever owned where it was possible to lock the keys in was a Laser - and yes, I did, several times. And after watching the RACV open it I wondered why I bothered to lock it - took him all of 15 seconds.
John

[bluetongue]

When I first got the defender I thought the locks could not be locked on front doors without the keys... then I realised that you just hold the outside door lock in and the inside door lock button pushes down no worries.... stupid me, I should have just stuck to locking with the key.... now if there is only a way for me to remember that in future
:bangin:

.... best thing about yesterday. I had it parked it in a "Wilson" carpark up in Chatswood.... I park there every day for work now. The guy who runs the carpark actually thought someone was trying to break in.... before he realised it's me (he knows me quite well because he's always worried that one day I'll take out his sprinkler systems in the roof) :cool:

[chunk]

I have broken into a lot of cars for people who have locked there keys in, you only need 2 pieces of coathanger wire, a lenth of blue packing tape and a lenth metal packing strip and they will get you into most cars.

I have had the tap on the shoulder from the boys in blue a few times, but when they find out I have the owners permission they usually watch to see how its done.

[Utemad]

I locked the keys in my (now gone :D) Rodeo once. It was packed to come home from a trip to Caloundra. Even had the engine running :o. I reached under the tray and unplugged the fuel pump to stall it before trying unsuccessfully to use a coathanger to open it. I called the RACQ and once they got there it took him seconds to get it open.
I fitted an alarm to it the following weekend.
I doubt any car is too hard.

[JDNSW]

I have broken into a lot of cars for people who have locked there keys in, you only need 2 pieces of coathanger wire, a lenth of blue packing tape and a lenth metal packing strip and they will get you into most cars.

I have had the tap on the shoulder from the boys in blue a few times, but when they find out I have the owners permission they usually watch to see how its done.

Much more difficult for example on a 2a with a push and twist on the LH door, cylinder only with a claw directly on the handle on the driver's door and push and twist window locks. Mind you, impossible to lock without the key.

[spudboy]

Anyone know if you can get proper locks (deadlocks?) fitted by a locksmith to improve security? Either replacements for the original locks, or add on locks further down the door?

I have seen a few Defenders in Africa with the old Hasp and Padlock setup rivited to the door, but that looks pretty agricultural.

[scrambler]

A few years ago I had the RACQ bloke out for over 30 minutes getting my Subaru Brumby open - he said it was one of the more difficult cars. We got talking and he told me there was one they couldn't open - a new BMW. After trying everything they could think of they called BMW and the "correct" entry method was to smash the cheapest glass - which happened to be the windscreen.

While I agree re locking the keys in a Series car, I rarely lock mine because it's too much trouble to lock the back doors of the wagon since the only way is to shut them first and then lock them from the inside by leaning over the back of the front seat. I figure the potential thieves wouldn't get it around the first corner even if they could get it started.

Steve

[tombraider]

Anyone know if you can get proper locks (deadlocks?) fitted by a locksmith to improve security? Either replacements for the original locks, or add on locks further down the door?

I have seen a few Defenders in Africa with the old Hasp and Padlock setup rivited to the door, but that looks pretty agricultural.

Dont bother.... A spring loaded centre punch opens all vehicles in seconds and does so very quietly.:nazilock::twisted:

Tombraider

[camel_landy]

Depending on how worn your lock is, you could have probably used anything... Even a spoon! :eek: The locks on a Defender are notoriously bad!

M

[DEFENDERZOOK]

Dont bother.... A spring loaded centre punch opens all vehicles in seconds and does so very quietly.:nazilock::twisted:

Tombraider




or the tiniest bit of porcelain off an old spark plug........

[DEFENDERZOOK]

Anyone know if you can get proper locks (deadlocks?) fitted by a locksmith to improve security? Either replacements for the original locks, or add on locks further down the door?

I have seen a few Defenders in Africa with the old Hasp and Padlock setup rivited to the door, but that looks pretty agricultural.



see if you can retrofit commodore locks to it......
they work as normal locks...then if you turn one more notch it dead locks.....

[spudboy]

Dont bother.... A spring loaded centre punch opens all vehicles in seconds and does so very quietly.:nazilock::twisted:

Tombraider

What's a spring loaded centre punch - and how do you use it to open the lock?

[DEFENDERZOOK]

What's a spring loaded centre punch - and how do you use it to open the lock?


who mentioned anything about a lock.....?
it opens any glass fixture...... :twisted:

[solmanic]

I firmly believe that the key to avoiding having your car broken into is simply not to have anything visible inside it. We had a hire car broken into in the UK because they could see the suitcase in the back. What they didn't see was the black document folder on in the front passenger footwell with all the really important stuff inside! Bottom line is if it doesn't look like there's anything worth stealing inside, it's not worth the effort and risk finding out.

I don't think better locks will deter any thief if they can see a digital camera in your console tray. Unless you're prepared to put metal screens on all the glass (impossible) then just don't leave anything in there to start with. I also don't think there is much interest in joyriding a Defender so it's what's inside the car that's at risk more than the car itself.

[matbor]

A lot of locks aren't safe, just do a google search on "Lock Bumping" ! :nazilock:

Matt.

[JDNSW]

I firmly believe that the key to avoiding having your car broken into is simply not to have anything visible inside it. We had a hire car broken into in the UK because they could see the suitcase in the back. What they didn't see was the black document folder on in the front passenger footwell with all the really important stuff inside! Bottom line is if it doesn't look like there's anything worth stealing inside, it's not worth the effort and risk finding out.

I don't think better locks will deter any thief if they can see a digital camera in your console tray. Unless you're prepared to put metal screens on all the glass (impossible) then just don't leave anything in there to start with. I also don't think there is much interest in joyriding a Defender so it's what's inside the car that's at risk more than the car itself.

Very valid points - if the lock can't be easily defeated, and there is something worth pinching, they'll break a window.
John

[DirtyDawg]

Mine has aural central locking, when everybody gets out I yell " Lock the doors " and they all slam in unison:D

[scrambler]

Unless you're prepared to put metal screens on all the glass (impossible).

In some parts of the world (e.g. Papua New Guinea) people do just that - metal security screens on all windows. I'd have thought dead easy to do on a Fender.

Steve

[BigJon]

I spent 5 months working for the AANT and I had to open plenty of cars in that time. They thoughtfully provide several manuals with descriptions, pictures and hints and tips for opening locked vehicles.

The hardest I had to do was a wide body Camry, bit of wire the correct shape in through the rear window/door area. Deadlocked VT onwards Commodores are easy with the right tools and knowledge, 5 minutes will do it, start to finish. I got a Landcruiser 80 Series key out through the door jamb once, plastic wedges will flex the door an amazing amount...:p

I used to get into my Brumby with a coathanger in seconds. My Kingswoods are so easy it is nearly quicker to use a coathanger than get the key out! :eek:

[dobbo]

I have seen a few Defenders in Africa with the old Hasp and Padlock setup rivited to the door, but that looks pretty agricultural.

It worked for Mr bean on his mini:)

[dobbo]

In some parts of the world (e.g. Papua New Guinea) people do just that - metal security screens on all windows. I'd have thought dead easy to do on a Fender.

Steve

It would be if the side windows are the same size as on a horse float or caravan

[zwitter]

I had a child in each arm and had parked the 130 up the middle of the parking area at child care (that is their approved and prefered policy). DOH!!! locked the keys in it and screaming kids lots of parents providing encouragement to shift it NOW!

garage door key and a quick wiggle and it was open. barely raised a sweat.

Solar tint film does slow them down even with a centre punch as it all stays in place.

As all windows in defender are flat you could use polycarbonate to replace them.

Alarms will deter some but a smash and grab is just too quick.

A defender may not be the pick for juy riders BUT I have 2 friends whoose 4WDs have been stolen and used in ATM ram raids. Wrote both vehicles off too!

James

[solmanic]

My car alarm looks like this anyway...
http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/4968/060628diesel004fu1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Bigbjorn]

who mentioned anything about a lock.....?
it opens any glass fixture...... :twisted:

Use a battery driver-drill to screw a stainless steel or hardened self tapping screw into the key slot of the lock cylinder, chuck screwhead in a slide hammer, pull out lock barrel, operate lock mechanism with a screwdriver.

[VladTepes]

Anyone know if you can get proper locks (deadlocks?) fitted by a locksmith to improve security? Either replacements for the original locks, or add on locks further down the door?



Have you looked at a Defender lately ? It would be easier to unscrew the hinges than crack the padlock / deadbolt. LOL


Last time I locked my keys in the car I followed this procedure.

1. Return inside gun shop
2. Look at some more stuff to consider buying (never miss an opportunity).
3. Borrow coat hanger.
4. Jump into tray of my Defender Ute.
5. Slide open rear window, the latch for which is non functional on drivers side (I think this was a factory option to make getting locked out harder).
6. Bend coat hanger to resemble gaff hook.
7. Using hook remove keys from ignition (careful not to drop them on floor now).
8. Withdraw through rear window opening.
9. Use keys to open door, at leisure.
10. Bend coat hanger back into shape.
11. Return coat hanger to gunshop.
12. Look at some more stuff to consider buying (never miss an opportunity).
13. Drive away, to smirks from numerous Land Cruiser drivers milling about the gunshop - as they do.
14. Just an extra step so there aren't 13 steps whcih might be 'unlucky'.

:D

[DEFENDERZOOK]

My Kingswoods are so easy it is nearly quicker to use a coathanger than get the key out! :eek:



coathanger.....?
i thought it was the plain simple black plastic combs that everyone used to carry in their
back pockets that were used to open kingswoods.....

it actually takes longer to push the comb down between the rubber and the glass than it does to unlock it......

[bluetongue]

Have you looked at a Defender lately ? It would be easier to unscrew the hinges than crack the padlock / deadbolt. LOL


heh... I actually was considering this... I tried the coathanger first as I kind of guessed that the door construction would be the sh1tty old stuff that I used to break into during the eighties when I drove around in a 120y datto.

[bluetongue]

...when I drove around in a 120y datto.

BTW - please don't hold that against me! :D