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MG MGF Technical - Keys possibly locked in boot Help!

Lost keys looked everywhere.
Possibly dropped them in boot and shut it.
Yes I know I'm a Pillock Any ideas. I Know Rob Bell Had a suggestion some time back.
Dealer said it could take weeks if at all.
clive heenan

This may help - it's quite involved and time consuming, but is at least damage free...

http://forums.mg-rover.org/showpost.php?p=712657&postcount=16

You might be able to contact Scarlet Fever (Andy Phillips) directly for info on the other 3 methods he alludes to.
Ian Matheson

Thanks for that Ian - a lot of us are going to need to know that!

Cheers

Pete
Pete Tipping

It's only any use if you can still get into the main cabin of the car.

The only other ways that I can think of getting access to the boot will require damaging some part of the car. Obviously I wouldn't want to post these quicker, easier and more damaging methods of entry on a public forum for anyone to read!
Ian Matheson

Not a lot of help, Clive, but after you get it sorted have a spare key cut and wire it to the roll bar or somewhere.
roy bridge

Not the most practical advice, but some insurers cover the cost of getting the locks changed, so before you do any damage check with your insurers, i expect it wouldn't really count as a claim, so is worth checking.

(You could even say your keys where lost or stolen, i mean you arn;t SURE theyre in there yet are you...?)

I've read the thread above and no it would end in damage, leave it to the pro's, you might even get a coutesy car with 4 seats for a few days..!
:)
B Brad

There was a long thread some time back about someone who had a large case in the boot and foced the lid closed but couldn't get it open.

I belive he broke the tail light and then got access into the boot.

Its an expensive way into the boot for a tail light replacement if you can't get access to the cabin, but I believe you can get at the mechanism to open the boot, check the archive to see how.

Brian
brian

contact your dealer, provide all necessary id for both yourself and the car, and get the key code.

you can then get a key cut to that code, and hey presto.

that's what i did in december!

yours in Pillockdom,

mike

mike

>> I've read the thread above and no it would end in damage, leave it to the pro's, you might even get a coutesy car with 4 seats for a few days..! <<

Hmmm, well i've done it 4 times now, 3 times 'for real' and once 'live' in front of a reasonable crowd in the lecture theatre at the MGF 10 event at the Heritage Motor Museum. Haven't damaged any of the cars to the best of my knowledge with this method, but it usually results in damage to my arms (bruising).

What i will add to my piece linked above is that this is much easier to do on a 1.6 or a 1.8i F than on a VVC F or TF. This is because the plastic inlet plenum is smaller than the VVC alloy one and thus there is more room to get your arm in there. I've only ever done 1 VVC and the bruising on my arm was significant. Also, if you have an ITG Maxogen then you are also going to have trouble (it'll need removing before you can access the passenger side hinge).

Budget a good hour to get in there - it takes time because you are working by feel in a tight space.

Even if you contact me directly i won't give you the other three methods (sorry), they are dangerous knowledge in the wrong hands and i'd hate to be indirectly responsible for a spate of boot thefts. This is not a reflection on your character Clive, it's more of a principle thing. Also, the other three DO result in damage to the car, one of which is particularly expensive to repair afterwards! eek! :-O

SF
Scarlet Fever

Hi Guys Many Thanks for the tips.
After all the panic New key arrived within 24 hours. The last thing they said was" best smash the rear light. Thats what we do, You could be waiting weeks" Glad I didn't. When I opened the boot, I found the keys wrapped in the tonneau. That's why I didn't spot them when I closed the boot.Again many thanks.
clive heenan

Glad it is sorted Clive. Think I can now work out the procedure SF is hinting at, but what a pain!

Having been vaguely paranoid about this possibility from first seeing the MGF boot, have rigidly followed two rules:

1. Never put the keys in the boot, not even the temptation to put them down for a moment while sorting out something. Always in the pocket while sorting.

2. Always be looking at the keys while closing the boot. If they are in the hand one knows they are NOT in the boot.

Particularly useful rule if one has the boot rack on ... tends to make the lid self closing :eek.

Chris
Chris Reeves

This thread was discussed between 08/02/2006 and 11/02/2006

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