How do I open the hood if battery is dead?

Tony_V · October 24th, 2007, 22:12

It is a 1996 Passat TDI. My door lock system is totally non-functional. I believe it might be a dead battery, or bad contact between the battery terminals and cables. How do I open the hood to check the battery, if I am locked out of the cab? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Tony

TomB · October 25th, 2007, 07:14

Don't the 96's have key locks to use the key in?

Tony_V · October 25th, 2007, 08:06

I can't tell if you are joking, or are you saying the hood has a key lock?? Perhaps you didn't read the part of my short message that reads "My door lock system is totally non-functional."

fitzski · October 25th, 2007, 08:09

So using the key in the driver or passenger door does NOT unlock the door?

Tony_V · October 25th, 2007, 08:41

That is correct. My car normally makes a strange whining sound when I unlock it. The motor, or whatever it is, continues to run for 5-10 seconds after the locks are up. Now however, there is no movement or noise at all. It is possible that the battery is fine, and the lock motor is dead.

TomB · October 25th, 2007, 08:46

Tony,

You said you cannot open the hood because you are locked out of the cab and that this was in someway related to an electrical issue.

I asked, seriously, why you could not use the key to unlock the door to the "cab" as you call it and then pop the hood using the release in the wheel well.

None of this requires electricity.

Did I miss something? There should be a mechanical link between the key and the lock. Is your system modified with some after market locking system, or did VW really mess up on this approach?

Antsrcool · October 25th, 2007, 08:48

yea dude put the key in the door rotate it and then pull the handle and voila yer in. Unless somethign is broke inside your door. its set up that way in case yer batt goes dead

johnboy00 · October 25th, 2007, 09:09

BTW, Your passat is a B4, not a B5.

fitzski · October 25th, 2007, 09:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony_V

That is correct. My car normally makes a strange whining sound when I unlock it. The motor, or whatever it is, continues to run for 5-10 seconds after the locks are up. Now however, there is no movement or noise at all. It is possible that the battery is fine, and the lock motor is dead.

The key unlocking the door is a mechanical function, and should still work. Granted, it won't open the rest of the doors (i.e. power locks), but you should be able to get into the cabin.

Make sure you try turning the key both ways, and try the passenger door as well.

This is quite odd... and failing the key, you'll obviously have to find another way to get into the car. With a coat hanger inserted between the window and door seal, you might get lucky...

You also *might* be able to reach up to the hood release at the hood from under the car. MIGHT.

Antsrcool · October 25th, 2007, 09:25

id bet my last dollar he left the keys in the igntion in the on position and locked the doors.....

speed185187 · October 25th, 2007, 09:34

I always do a pocket check to make sure i have my keys, phone, wallet, ect.. before i shut the door. Doesn't matter how much of a hurry i'm in.

fitzski · October 25th, 2007, 09:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnboy00

BTW, Your passat is a B4, not a B5.

Good point... Mods, if you're reading this, can you move the thread to the B4 forum, pls.

Tony_V · October 25th, 2007, 10:26

Sorry about posting in the wrong forum. As a mechanic once told me, "don't tell me what you think is wrong with the car, just tell me the symptons." I guess I got ahead of myself here.

The symptoms are: The lock does not unlock when I turn the key. Left, right, or otherwise. I have not tried the passenger side yet.. only the driver side.

I bought this car used, so I don't know if it has a modified locking system. Nothing else is modified, so I would guess not.

Antsrcool, my keys are not in the ignition. Shall I give you my address to mail your last dollar to?

The first thing I'll try is unlocking the passenger side. I can't believe I didn't try this before posting. My apologies.

Antsrcool · October 25th, 2007, 10:28

i just spent my last dollar on lunch

o well. Id say try the right side door then

tditom · October 25th, 2007, 10:32

If you observe the interior door lock shaft while turning the key, you'll notice that the shaft will move when you are locking/unlocking. There is a direct mechanical linkage from the key tumbler assembly to the shaft. Perhaps the driver's side is broken. Tuning the key should also close contact on the switch that activates the trunk mounted vacuum pump that operates the other door locks (provided there is battery power).