gordsan Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 Does anyone have any ideas on how to open my car - I tried both fobs and all three keys in all doors (driver/passenger and hatchback) - nothing works. I've no idea how to get my car open! I assume it is electrical or battery, but can't open the hood to check the battery as the release lever is in the car! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belacane Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 What year is your car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordsan Posted September 30, 2014 Author Share Posted September 30, 2014 2002 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 Are you sure its your car? Is it in your driveway/ garage, or in the parking lot at the mall? I tried for about 5 minutes once to get into a Toyota Camry because it was the exact same body style/ color/ trim as my mothers. Finally looked at the plates and it wasn't hers. Hers was another 3-4 rows over in the parking lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordsan Posted September 30, 2014 Author Share Posted September 30, 2014 It is in my garage where I parked it the night before. Definitely my car, my keys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forester2002s Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 It could be that an electrical gremlin is instantly re-locking all doors as soon as you unlock. Try unlocking a door with the key, and hold the key in the unlocked position while you try to open the door. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordsan Posted September 30, 2014 Author Share Posted September 30, 2014 The problem is that I can't even turn the key in any of the locks - it's like the locks are frozen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forester2002s Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 This is a shot in the dark, but: - try taking the batteries out of both remotes, or take them both well out of range; - then try a key in one of the doors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 if the key will not turn, try spraying some silicone lube in the lock. make sure you are using the right key? call a locksmith, he can probably get in quicker with no key. '' lockmedic'' could probably help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upnorthguy Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 Unless I've missed something, Lockmedic is over at subaruoutback.org. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 when you do get in, if the alarm is sounding, you must cycle the ignition quickly 3 times from OFF to ON (not start/not ACC) and the alarm 'should stop. maybe not if the security system is malfunctioning so, either wait and hope it turns itself off - or be prepared to pull a fuse or remove the battery Neg. terminal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flowmastered87GL Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 Have you tried the key in the rear hatch?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upnorthguy Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 She already tried the hatch ("I tried both fobs and all three keys in all doors (driver/passenger and hatchback"). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 (edited) This is a problem with remote entry. We all do it, even I do it. We dont use the locks so they seize over time. You need to spray the cylinders with a penetrating oil then GENTLY shock the cylinders with the key in the door. Have a duplicate set of quality keys handy just in case. Try each cylinder eventually one will loosen up. I went through this with my 97 when the battery died. You can possibly reach up and pull the hood release cable. It may take multiple attempts, and use a good product, then after that use lockease to lubricate all the rocks at every oil change. Edited October 1, 2014 by nipper 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordsan Posted October 1, 2014 Author Share Posted October 1, 2014 Thanks - will try this last one when I get home tonight. Nothing else has worked so far! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartless Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 it sometimes takes several soakings to get them to break free, but they will eventually. the old saying "use it, or lose it" does apply here - if you dont use them periodically, they will seize up. The other half found this out recently with his 2006 Outback. We did get them freed up eventually, and now he uses the key periodically to prevent this very problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 We should all add this to our oil change routine. A can of lock ease in all locks on all the cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp98 Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 We should all add this to our oil change routine. A can of lock ease in all locks on all the cars. As soon as it quits raining or snowing here and the sun comes out I'm going to lube up the key locks and make sure that all works as it should. On my 96 pickup I hardly ever unlocked the passenger side door with the key and did notice that it got stiffer and harder to unlock whenever I tried to do it. That one is also going to get some attention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 (edited) a bit late, but i got a response from lockmedic, see below. If that call came into my shop, I'd make the assumption that the batteryon the car was dead, otherwise the fobs would be functional (assumingthe fob batteries were good). If that's the case, I'd have to questionwhy none of the keys work in the doors. If they're all craptasticcopies, it's possible they could work in the ignition but not the doorsas the ignition lock typically has the most wear and is therefore theleast sensitive to poorly cut or worn keys. All the more reason to testduplicates in EVERY lock in the car after buying them. . .As for a solution, probably the least costly would be to get a new keycut by VIN from the dealer. If that still doesn't work, probably time tocall out a professional. I can say it's not incredibly difficult for alocksmith to get into a 2nd gen outback but not sure I could offer muchadvice that I wouldn't consider risky to the average Joe or Joline.Once you get the car open I'd say the next order of business is to findout what's up with the locks. Corrosion is possible if it's in asalt-belt state. . . or nefarious things like superglue being injectedinto the locks (which is a truly evil thing to do, BTW). hth Edited October 2, 2014 by johnceggleston Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzam Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 I wonder what happened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
later, Peter Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 you have any enemies or practical jokers in you life? did someone put "super glue" into your lock mechanisms? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmdew Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 No one remember a coat hangar? Easy, use a windshield scraper up on the top rear corner of the window to lever the window of the frame. Take a coat hangar bent into a hook to open the door from the inside. 5 minutes and your in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzam Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 I PM'ed gordsan on 10/5 because I'm curious to learn the outcome of the problem. Hopefully we can attain closure. I re-read the post and even though she stated it was "Definitely my car, my keys.", i can't help but wonder if there is another Subaru in the family and the keys are for it. I can't tell you how many times I've grab the keys for one of the cars and had to return to the kitchen to grab the proper set. It's even more confusing when my daughter is home since I reprogrammed one of our MY01's remotes for her MY99 to replace her dead one. Try going out to the driveway and unlocking the car, getting in and wondering why the heck you can get the key in the ignition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordsan Posted October 6, 2014 Author Share Posted October 6, 2014 It was two separate issues - alternator and stiff lock. Alternator fixed and mechanic really had to jiggle the keys to make them work (in any lock). The fob didn't work because the battery was completely dead and even with a jump, did not hold charge. Now the steering seems to be gone. Time for a new car me thinks! I have loved this car and it has been great - but it is just at that point where I'm conitnually pumping money in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 alt and steering issues???? is the belt still there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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