Only Trunk Key Accidentally Locked in Trunk (Page 1/3) jhobbins OCT 18, 07:34 PM Hey guys, I accidentally locked my only key in the trunk. The switch on the dash hasn't worked since I bought the car. What is my best option here? I'm seem to recall having some luck prying one of the vents off on my old 84, I just don't want to damage the deck too bad. fierofool OCT 18, 07:56 PM You can't access the trunk lock through the engine vent. Probably the best, aside from a locksmith, is to take a small drill bit and drill into the key slot and pick out the springs and pins. I believe you drill at the top of the key slot. Then you can turn the cylinder with a screwdriver. You might also try one other thing. Find a key that will insert into the lock. Take a set of jumper cables and clamp one cable to the key and go underneath and clamp the other end the engine. Try the trunk release to see if it releases. There is also a method of applying power to the release button harness but I'm not familiar with which wires to use. Someone else might explain that method. Patrick OCT 18, 09:01 PM quote Originally posted by fierofool: ...take a small drill bit and drill into the key slot and pick out the springs and pins. I believe you drill at the top of the key slot. Then you can turn the cylinder with a screwdriver. Years ago when I locked my keys in the trunk (while across the border a hundred miles from home), I didn't bother with a drill. I just hammered a slotted screwdriver (with a square shank) into the keyway, put a crescent wrench on the shank... and turned the screwdriver as if I was using a key. Popped right open. Yes, the lock cylinder was now toast... but I was very glad to get my keys out of the trunk! cvxjet OCT 18, 10:35 PM quote Originally posted by Patrick: Years ago when I locked my keys in the trunk (while across the border a hundred miles from home), I didn't bother with a drill. I just hammered a slotted screwdriver (with a square shank) into the keyway, put a crescent wrench on the shank... and turned the screwdriver as if I was using a key. Popped right open. Yes, the lock cylinder was now toast... but I was very glad to get my keys out of the trunk! Bingo! I have done this in the JYs to access the engines for parts (Other people use a crow bar and destroy the lid, tail lights and rear bodywork.......) Patrick OCT 18, 11:12 PM quote Originally posted by cvxjet: I have done this in the JYs to access the engines for parts (Other people use a crow bar and destroy the lid, tail lights and rear bodywork.......) That's exactly what I found done a few years to an '88 Fiero GT which had perfect tail lights... until some idiot broke them while trying to force the decklid open. I was choked. fierofool OCT 18, 11:27 PM I don't know what the previous owner did on my 86 but he boogered up the hole around the lock. Not bad, but the fiberglass is damaged all the way around. TopNotch had once posted that he used the drill method I referred to on his 88 Coupe. Absolutely no damage to the decklid. I would imagine a drill bit about 1/8 would do the trick. Patrick OCT 19, 12:55 AM quote Originally posted by fierofool: TopNotch had once posted that he used the drill method I referred to on his 88 Coupe. Absolutely no damage to the decklid. Charlie, just in case you've misinterpreted what I posted... hammering the screwdriver into the keyway and forcibly turning the lock didn't damage the decklid at all. fierofool OCT 19, 08:40 AM Oh, no. I didn't misinterpret. I meant that the PO of my 86 did that. I know very well it can be done without damaging the deck lid. I've seen it done in the junk yard. I have no idea why he apparently pried around the edges of the lock. Maybe to pull the metal cap off the cylinder, I'm guessing. wftb OCT 19, 09:31 AM If your car came with an inside trunk switch and it doesnt work you can still jumper it out and make it work. There is a relay under the dash that you can remove(it is probably pooched) and then feed 12 volts to the wire that goes to the trunk solinoid and the trunk will open if the wiring is still intact. Better than wrecking the lock and having to buy a new one. FX OCT 19, 09:58 AM Yes, it could be a bad dash switch. When mine went, I just took the switch out, and jumped the two terminals on the plug. It opened...