SELF LOCKING XANTIA

tim leech · Post by **tim leech** » 17 Jan 2007, 17:30

As its says guys, my xantia has developed a nasty habit of locking itself, and today it did so whilst I was washing it, and you guessed it I left the keys in the ignition

, it also deadlocked itself too as I heard the two clunks. Now Citroen have told me they cannot order me a spare key as its too old so the only way to get in is to smash the drivers window and cough up £60 to get into it!

Anyone know another way before I get my hammer out!

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » 17 Jan 2007, 17:38

I suppose the drivers door lock still does actually select the key? Maybe so worn that anything similar will turn?

I suppose it hasn't got the sill buttons like a BX - but recessed square things like a ZX?

tim leech · Post by **tim leech** » 17 Jan 2007, 17:43

Its remote locking jeremy so the doorlocks hav enever been used much, plus the deadlocks are activated also!

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 17 Jan 2007, 18:50

Hi Tim - bizarrely, this has happened to me too on my Xantia.
Outside my garage on a Sunday evening in the pitch dark...

The only way I found was to pack around the top of the driver's door
opening with wadding to lever the door's window frame outwards enough
to get a metal clothes hangar bent into a long hook into the car to pull the
door lock lever up! Took a bit of fiddling but it worked and the door was
then levered back into place with no visible harm done.

I've broken glass on a car in the past and it takes so long (and there's so
much hassle) removing the chards.

Sounds like a sticking controller on one of the front doors.
Mind, mine hasn't done it again since.

Andrew

mezuk04 · Post by **mezuk04** » 17 Jan 2007, 19:07

Well like mentioned before if a coat hanger has worked for someone if you take your time it should work to.

But knowing me I would probably damage the door and opt for for smashing the window which is a bit of a hassel, its still pretty cheap to get a replacement and fairly easy from the scrappers

deian · Post by **deian** » 17 Jan 2007, 19:09

coathanger trick won't work with deadlock, as they are also locked from the inside, i suppose you haven't got a spare plip?

what i would do, check you insurance small print, see if you have free insurance cover, and no claims protection, then smash the windscreen, maybe you can cut a hole in it like thieves do in the movies, your not a thief are you?

i once went to another car forum and no-one would post a reply to the same problem as yours as they don't know if you are a thief or not, no1 from the whole forum!!!

good luck though, or smash a window and look for a replacement in the scrappy

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 17 Jan 2007, 19:20

Smashing a windscreen is a bit extreme!!

A broken side window on a Xantia isn't quite as end of the world, although
the idea of damaging your own car in such a way goes against every instinct!
You're right Deian about the deadlocks though - I find it hard to believe it did
the double locking. Is there a neighbour with a new electric gate/garage
door or BIG telly with a very strong remote nearby!?

Don't suppose you're in the RAC/AA - they spend most of their call out time
these days sorting this situation out on top of flat batteries and people afraid
of getting their hands dirty changing a flat tyre...

I'd still try and get in through the opening in the door frame if you can't get
AA help - wont the door open when the door handle is pulled open?

Andrew

slim123 · Post by **slim123** » 17 Jan 2007, 19:54

Flicking the lock with a wire wont work if it's deadlocked!!

AA / RAC may know a way, they have lots of experience with this sort of thing, if your not a member then you should be, (this is exactly why)

Citroen main dealer should be able to order you a key if you quote the chassis number from the log book, although they may want to see the log book as proof of ownership.

In the past I have ordered keys in this way.

If your local guys will not help, try another dealer as some bigger dealers simply cannot be bothered if it's only worth a couple of quid to them.

Regards
Slim

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 17 Jan 2007, 20:10

Could you go leaving the car parked locked WITH the keys in the
ignition OVERNIGHT though...

I think that'd be worse than a bin liner over the window sans glass.
Any scummy lowlife who see's the bin liner will think the car's been "hit"
already and wont have a radio or other goodies inside so taking their
attentions elsewhere...

Bite the bullet and get that hammer - probably better with the rear window
- less glass and less to get the chards trapped in inside the car...

It'd be worth undoing the fuel ECU computer overnight to stop the car
going AWOL mind!!

Andrew

deian · Post by **deian** » 17 Jan 2007, 20:31

the ecu is under the bonnet which is only opened from inside the car?... which is locked? i wouldn't hit the back window myself, they may be harder to get hold of and u also got the demister to pay for too, at least with a front window u will get a nice crystal clear one as new, if you have protected no claims and free windscreen cover!

don't do what i did and try to prise a window open, it will shatter eventually!!!

good luck

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 17 Jan 2007, 20:40

Apologies for my not being very clear - BACK DOOR WINDOW!!

I'm suggesting breaking the REAR side door glass to get the car going
again once the keys are retreived AND disabling the car when it's
parked/unused until a "new" replacement glass is obtained!!

10quid in a yard?

Front windscreen insurance cover will usually have an excess of 50-60quid
these days and after the 'trauma' the car goes through with a replacement
(

) it's never quite the same as when it left the factory! The scuttle
trim is something I don't fancy disturbing allowing water ingress...

A side window glass that moves to and fro all the time will easily change
over and there'll be a damn sight more saloons than estate rear door
window glasses in any scrappy - it's not an estate is it!!? Most of the time
the door trim has kindly been removed by someone after the door motor
mechanism...

Good idea trying a different dealer for a new key!!

Andrew

deian · Post by **deian** » 17 Jan 2007, 20:58

well yes, i agree now andrew! scrappies are handy for these kind of things!

reblack68 · Post by **reblack68** » 17 Jan 2007, 21:44

Would it be possible to do the coathanger trick but use it to retrieve the key? You can wedge the top of the door out quite a bit and hold it with wooden wedges. Extremely fiddly but free.

tim leech · Post by **tim leech** » 17 Jan 2007, 21:45

Tried Citroen guys, as its over 10 years old they cant get me a key,as the records dont go back far enough! I have a key number but its in the owners pack which is in the car of course

. I spoke to a citroen mechanic who said theres 2 ways of getting in, one is drill through the door!

or break a window as once the deadlocks are activated your stuck!

My excess on the windows is £60, my rear screen demister is pretty naff and some of it doesnt work, plus the seals all cracked at the bottom and the total/chevron badge is missing so Im going to break that one so at least I get a fully functioning rear window for my money.

wheeler · Post by **wheeler** » 17 Jan 2007, 23:03

deian wrote:coathanger trick won't work with deadlock, as they are also locked from the inside, i suppose you haven't got a spare plip?

what i would do, check you insurance small print, see if you have free insurance cover, and no claims protection, then smash the windscreen,

Going through a windscreen aint that easy,it will smash ok but they are laminated so they are tough to get through,the screen is part of the structure of the car.
If you decide to put a window in cover the whole glass with sellotape before you smash it.you can then lift the glass out in a big peice & it minimises the mess.