How to get into a Vectra when the remote doesn't work?

Question

We have a Vauxhall Vectra (an Opel something or other outside Britain), and both keys fail to open the central locking when you press the buttons. The lights on the car have gone on although we can see they are not switched on, and we can't get into the car. Apparently the keys will work manually but only if the car was locked manually, which it wasn't. Now the manual is in the car, the nearest Vauxhall garage is not nearby, like in any of the nearest towns, and we are not going to break into the car. Any ideas? And will the lights stay on indefinitely and drain the battery?

We aren't members of the AA or RAC, and neither the doors or the boot lock will open with the key. Also the lights have been on for more than 10 minutes without pressing anything.

Oh come on, it's 7 years old and it's a very nice car to drive, and very little has gone wrong with it apart from the F*CKING LOCK MECHANISM! Honestly, who designs a car you can't get into with a key manually? The b*stards.

Answer 1

You CAN get into it manually - even if you 'double deadlocked' it. (Locked twice on the remote). Put key in (driver door) lock an turn - it is VERY, VERY stiff as you're turning a whole lot of mechanisms!!

This is the advice from the VX Omega owners group.

If the battery is flat - get a set of jump leads. Connect + to the + of the starter motor (lie under the car) and put the - to the chassis / bodywork.

Answer 2

I drive a vectra,bit surprised the key wont work manually in the lock?the thing wi vauxhalls is wen u press the key to lock up,u have an option to press twice,double click.the indicators will flash twice,this activates deadlocks which prevent the doors from bein unlocked even from the inside,!is the battery flat on the keyfob?sometimes if u hold the key on your chin whilst standing close to the car it can work!honestly it uses your skull as an amplifier,it does work im not windin u up!cant think of owt else good luck.remember if it is double locked smashin a window is no use.....

Answer 3

the body control will turn off the lights in ten minutes. I don't think you have turned the key in the door handle lock cyl. far enough to get the door switch to unlock all the doors. Is there a key cyl. in the trunk? Then fold down the pass thru place the "trained monkey" or "small person" in to unlock the doors you might have long enough arm or leg to just reach the back door just about time the Bobby walks up and asks you what are you doing!

Answer 4

if the key is just spinning it is double locked. the lights will not turn off. u need to get power back to the battery so the fob works. using another car battery run one wire from the posotive terminal to the thick wire on the starter motor of ur car and run one wire from the negative terminal to any clean metal on your car (engine / gearbox casing). then push the remote fob and doors should open. the wires dont have to be thick, anything will do and if u want to be 100% safe put a 20 amp fuse in the posotive wire. obviously the car will need to be jacked up and supported safely to do this.

Answer 5

never heard of not being able to open a vectra with the keys regardless of how it was locked up!
i take it you have tried to open the doors and boot with the key.
the lights will stay on until the battery runs down.
scrap the above just read it properly.

Answer 6

Phone the police and ask for assistance. They have special tools that will open any car, any time. Be polite, and personable. You don't have to grovel, but they're doing you a favour, so don't be surly! You will probably also have to show ownership somehow. Maybe the insurance card?

Answer 7

Personally I would rather stay outside of a Vectra for life.

Not really much help eh? sorry.

Answer 8

besides charging the battery try a new battery in the fob

Answer 9

call out the aa or the rac

Answer 10

crush it and buy a proper car