Okay time for dumb move of the day and a FYI

[Skip]

My 97 Outback has been sitting for a while (bad VSS drive gear => will not pass OBD II inspection, need to yank the lump (bad HG) and tranny).

 

During the recent cold snap with temps in the single digits, I tried unsuccessfully to open the drivers door.

 

Unbeknownst to me the door opened far enough to trigger the "key in the ignition" alarm.

(Key was in the ignition. and remote key unlock fob is on the key ring.

Living out in the boonies does have some advantages)

 

Fast forward to yesterday, heat wave had temps in the upper 20's and I could enter said vehicle.

Turned the key - yep dead as a door nail. (what's a door nail anyway??)

 

I pop the bonnet get out and open the hood

I left the key in the ignition and closed the door - bummer move?

If you had a dead battery in a parking lot lets say,

a good Samaritan offers a jump, you get out to assist,

do you take the keys and or not close your door?

 

Note:

The car does not have a security system that I know of,

there is no "security" indicator in the position shown in the owners manual.

But it does have factory remote locks.

 

So:

I get my brainless battery charger hooked up.

(The brain type chargers I have will not charge a totally flat battery)

As soon as I flip the switch I hear click click click and see the parking lights start to flash.

 

I utter a Homeresk like "DuuHu"

 

I doesn't take Sherlock Holmes to tell you what happened.

All doors are now locked and the only key I have hangs in the ignition..

Just got this car and have not got around to getting a spare key.

 

Luckily I was at my home and I have quite a few items in the shed.

I got a piece of 0.090 aluminum about 1" wide and 2' long.

 

With my Swiss army knife to pry the window gently away from the seal,

I was in in less than two minutes.

(why do we even lock these? I'm a flunky and

do not break into cars for a living - how long would it take one of those folks?)

 

Door open, three clicks on the door unlock button and the lights quit flashing.

 

 

Thanks for reading and maybe it helps someone prevent themselves from a similar debacle.

[Gnuman]

the parking lights flashing always seemed to me to be a basic security system, particularly as it also seems to disable the ignition. second, I have made that same move several times myself so don't feel bad. In the case of a totally flat battery, yes, I would keep a door open. As I have said, this has happened to me before . On the subject of a door nail, I refer you to the first chapter of "A Christmas Carol" for the definitive word on the subject. I figured someone had to say it. . .

[jamal]

huh. I can't lock my car unless I lift the handle as the door closes or use the key from the outside.

 

I've still managed to lock my keys in there though.

[Suzam]

You gotta admit that the frameless windows make for easy break-ins when you lock the doors with the key inside!!