Oh b*llocks

[tomti]

my e30 has been off the road for a while sitting on my drive.
I wanted to start it up today to move it, i knew the battery was flat but thats ok i thought, the clifford alarm isn't working due to being flat but the doors open with the key.

Only thing is, the boot wont open with the key and guess where the battery is. You know, the battery i need to jump start!

Any ideas guys

[Simon]

Open your bonnet, and use your jump leads under there, postive on the connector near the O/S front strut, and negative on the engine eyelet.

Emergency bonnet release is located behind the N/S grill, small hole in between 2 screws, stick a flat blade in there to release.

[tomti]

ok mate thanks. Just one more problem. Ive just snapped the only key i have for it in the bootlock! I just thought i'd try it gently one more time and didn't hear or feel it snap but when i pulled the key out half of it is still in the bootlid barrel. FOR F*CKS SAKE!

[rubber_duck89]

Its not your day is it? That will have to be a new lock set then maybe?

[tomti]

yea i guess so. How do i open the boot now tho to remove the old lock?

[Banjo1981]

If you can get the boot open using the central locking you should be able to take the barrel out of the lock and get the key out that way, any good key cutter should be able to cut you a new one from the two bits.

[Brianmoooore]

yea i guess so. How do i open the boot now tho to remove the old lock?

You take out the rear seat back, knock out the steel ski hatch panel, and throw a well trained small child through into the boot.
For the battery; open the bonnet and charge the battery by connecting to earth and the phantom battery + terminal on the bulkhead by the front battery tray.

[TouringTash]

through the back seats as Mr Moooore says. Had to do that on a few 3 box cars and and its always all gone back togeter ok.
Though as well trained small children are in short supply I can offer the loan of an obediant Jack Russell.

[tomti]

right, i hooked up a battery in the hope of being able to use the central locking but all my alarm does when you press the fob is beep and doesn't unlock anything. i thought about the ski hatch but the only problem is the massive strutbrace going across the opening

Maybe ill just keep it as a garden feature

[TouringTash]

just wait and let the battery charge for a bit, turn off the interior lights and go and have a cuppa.

[tomti]

ill try again tomorrow. ive given up and calming down before the petrol cutter comes out.

Thanks for the help chaps

[capri_rob]

If the bootlock is fecked anyway a screwdriver in it and a good smack from a hammer is as effective as it always was at getting the boot open. Make sure you've got another lock and key to replace it with first though.

[magpie]

[nickso]

have you tried using the key in the lock again? if it works you can strip the lock down and retrieve the broken bit and just use a new key.

[magpie]

try a magnet and a pin,......then it's hammer time and a new boot lock.

[tomti]

ok turns out i have a really handy friend! He came round my house with a broken key extractor tool. he trained as a locksmith years ago. had the broken part out in minutes so im off to a locksmith tomorrow to see if i can get a key cut from both halfs. Im in a better mood now

[TouringTash]

if it doesn't work out and I do hope it does but if the worst is going to happen I'm willing
to pay for the fuel for the petrol cutter If I can come and watch.

[magpie]

ok turns out i have a really handy friend! He came round my house with a broken key extractor tool. he trained as a locksmith years ago. had the broken part out in minutes so im off to a locksmith tomorrow to see if i can get a key cut from both halfs. Im in a better mood now

a friend in need.....