Battery Dead - Cannot unlock the car! Help!

[tiranathon]

Hi there, I have a 1996 Audi A4 Avant 1.8 (without remote central locking) i.e. only key operated.

The battery is totally dead.

I tried to use the key to open all the locks, using all the keys but to no avail. Would anyone know how to open the car to let me open the bonnet to jump start it please?

Cheers

Tiran

[Alan02]

I cant see why the key cant open the door?Even without power. Once in,you would just `pull` the interior handles twice to open them from the inside.Have you just got this car? Maybe it has had a new ignition barrel and you didnt get the original keys that opened the doors?

[brollah]

I'll agree with Alan02 , even without power for the central locking pump, the key should still unlock the actual door.

[olds_kool]

same happened to my old car, keys would not open doors without power
the rod join to door lock had sheared off as its a thin cast metal piece and its quite common for it to break and the car will not unlock mechanically

if its an avant you should be able to unlock boot and climb in?

if not jack car up and attach jump leads to something like starter motor and an earth this should give enough juice to trip switch and operate pump when you try key

[tiranathon]

I cant see why the key cant open the door?Even without power. Once in,you would just `pull` the interior handles twice to open them from the inside.Have you just got this car? Maybe it has had a new ignition barrel and you didnt get the original keys that opened the doors?

I assure you I've tried, as manual key entry is the only way to enter the car, i turn the key and the lock doesnt move, usually i hear a motor from within the door make a wirring noise as it unlocks, but as battery dead, its not moving anything. I am assuming the locking mechanism is purely electronic and theres no mechanical link to the lock.

[olds_kool]

have you read my post?

[tiranathon]

have you read my post?

yes I did, boot seems deadlocked as the key wont even turn in the lock, and i get the same joy out of the passenger side door as i do out of the drivers door.

The only way i can see is to do what you suggest and jack up the front of the car and try to jump it that way.. ill let you know how i get on.

=)

[chrismaher2007]

on my a4 b5 when the battery is disconnected only the passenger door will open with the key.

also i have one key that never works on the boot but does everywhere else.main key does work on the boot. so try your spare on the boot

[olds_kool]

the spare (aka valet/workshop key) isnt supposed to open boot or glovebox
idea is you can lock them with your key then hand over workshop key to garage/car wash/valet etc.. and your valubles remain safely locked away

[chrismaher2007]

the spare (aka valet/workshop key) isnt supposed to open boot or glovebox
idea is you can lock them with your key then hand over workshop key to garage/car wash/valet etc.. and your valubles remain safely locked away

never knew that. interesting

but it opens with an electric button so there must be a way of stopping that aswell

[olds_kool]

setting boot lock horizontally or vertically cant remember which disables c/l and switch on boot