Strange lock issue, can’t unlock CX-5

[Conrad 16.5]

Then Why can't I open my door? I called my dealers maintenance department and they said if the key turn in the lock it should unlock it. It turns, but will not unlock.

Turning the key clockwise or counterclockwise does nothing? Can you feel any resistance when turning the key? No sounds as a result of the key being turned?

Have you tried the opening the rear hatch in the normal way? Either using the fob button for the hatch or the action button on the hatch itself?

Have you tried both fobs?

 

[stickerbush]

@GrantN Is your car still in the airport garage? What a nightmare!

 

[vrsick]

What a nightmare! Now I'm concerned.

 

[N7turbo]

Ideally, we should be able to remove the bottom engine cover and reach the hood latch or the battery terminals. Not saying reaching them would be easy, only possible. Hell a couple of terminal extensions down there would be nice.

 

[Conrad 16.5]

Ideally, we should be able to remove the bottom engine cover and reach the hood latch or the battery terminals. Not saying reaching them would be easy, only possible. Hell a couple of terminal extensions down there would be nice.

I was thinking the same. Perhaps there's some way of connecting cables down there in a way that hooks to the battery and getting the doors open that way? Of course, the other end of the cables connect to a known good battery.

 

[hsdejong]

Under normal circumstances you don't need electricity (from the battery) to unlock the doors with the physical key. I assume that if you can't unlock the door with the physical key, something is broken inside the door.

 

[Conrad 16.5]

Sounds to me like it's time to try the bent coat hanger trick.

Dunno if it's possible to get one through the door edge or not. Know anyone with a Slim Jim? Dunno if those would work either. It's better than breaking a window though.

 

[CX5Nut]

Are you sure you are at the right car?? I always thought the key would open the door even with a dead battery.

 

[Conrad 16.5]

Is your CX still parked at the airport? Gotta be running up a nice bill by now if so.

 

[Jmaz]

Maybe try spraying some WD-40 or similar in the keyhole and give the mechanism a decent dousing and work the key back and forth many times. Locks can bind up from not being regularly actuated because the fob is always used. Had it happen on the trunk lock on my previous car. It felt like I had the wrong key inserted because it was "frozen" from disuse. Might be worth a ry.

 

[GrantN]

Turning the key clockwise or counterclockwise does nothing? Can you feel any resistance when turning the key? No sounds as a result of the key being turned?

Have you tried the opening the rear hatch in the normal way? Either using the fob button for the hatch or the action button on the hatch itself?

Have you tried both fobs?

Yes. Both fobs. Both manual keys. All doors and hatch tried. I called the dealer and they have no idea. They said if the key goes in and turns (it does) it’s the correct key. They said to try a locksmith and then het it towed to an auto parts store for a new car battery.

 

[GrantN]

Maybe try spraying some WD-40 or similar in the keyhole and give the mechanism a decent dousing and work the key back and forth many times. Locks can bind up from not being regularly actuated because the fob is always used. Had it happen on the trunk lock on my previous car. It felt like I had the wrong key inserted because it was "frozen" from disuse. Might be worth a ry.

The key is fine and turns in the lock.

 

[GrantN]

I was thinking the same. Perhaps there's some way of connecting cables down there in a way that hooks to the battery and getting the doors open that way? Of course, the other end of the cables connect to a known good battery.

I asked the dealer. The said they don’t know any way to do it.

 

[GrantN]

Is your CX still parked at the airport? Gotta be running up a nice bill by now if so.

Employee parking so the bill isn’t the issue

 

[GrantN]

Under normal circumstances you don't need electricity (from the battery) to unlock the doors with the physical key. I assume that if you can't unlock the door with the physical key, something is broken inside the door.

The dealer said you do need car battery power in some cars.

 

[GrantN]

Hey Everyone! Thanks SO much for all the advice and help. Just so you all know, a 2017 CX-5 Grand Touring with the Advanced Keyless Function MUST have batter power to unlock the doors, even using the manual key. The service manager at my dealer didn't even know that, but one of his techs "thought" it worked that way on some years and models. The locksmith was great. Listened to my story, said, "yeah, lots of Mazdas' won't unlock it the battery is dead, and had the car opened and started in 7 minutes. He was fantastic. Thanks again for your ideas and help!

Grant

 

[Silly Wabbit]

Thanks for sharing! Definitely idiotic to need battery for manual key to unlock

 

[HyFlyer]

... and had the car opened and started in 7 minutes. ...

So, how did he get it open?

 

[Conrad 16.5]

Thanks for sharing! Definitely idiotic to need battery for manual key to unlock

I'm about due for a new battery, probably next spring. I'm going to test this on my CX while I have the battery out.

 

[GrantN]

So, how did he get it open?

The locksmith used a pneumatic tool to push the door open enough to reach in with a rod to manually unlock from the inside.