Dead Battery - Can't get into vehicle

[shillabr]

We have had our 2010 Genesis parked in the garage for several weeks without being started and when we went to unlock the vehicle with the remote fob, it wouldn't unlock. I am assuming that the vehicle battery is dead because neither key fob will unlock the vehicle, even after changing the fob battery. I thought, no problem, I will just use the manual key to unlock it. To my surprise, I found that the key will not work - it will go into the lock but will not turn in either direction. I also tried the manual key in the trunk but in that case the key will not even go into the lock. Now we bought the car used and I am wondering if the previous owner may have changed out the key fobs with new fobs that will work remotely on the car but that don't have the correct keying to be used manually. Is this a possibility?
My dilemma now is how to get into the car (or even the trunk so that I can recharge the battery)? Getting the car to the dealership would be a major ordeal and I am sure that they would not come to me. Does anyone know if tow truck operator can open a Genesis?

 

[EdP]

My dilemma now is how to get into the car (or even the trunk so that I can recharge the battery)? Getting the car to the dealership would be a major ordeal and I am sure that they would not come to me. Does anyone know if tow truck operator can open a Genesis?

Unless you get a better answer here, I'd call a locksmith or tow truck and ask them about getting in. Some cars are easy, other not so much.

If you can get in, you can pop the hood and jump it from there and then open the trunk.

Two lessons here. 1) If left for a long time, use a battery tender. 2) Don't lock your car if it is in the garage.

 

[16UltV6Guy]

I'm not very familiar with the 1st gen Genny, but is there any way to go through the back seat trunk pass-through and manage to reach the emergency trunk open handle?

Or a Pop-a-Lock service should be able to get into the driver's compartment.

 

[Hero6]

Locksmith would be the best bet here. In my area, unlocking a car runs about $60 and they are usually there in 45 minutes or less. If you have roadside assistance, your insurance should pay to have this done.

 

[Gunkk]

1 more lesson now obvious to the OP: Before you buy a used car, make sure the mechanical key works in the door/trunk locks.

 

[shillabr]

Good point!

 

[Rodney Dangerfield]

I'm not very familiar with the 1st gen Genny, but is there any way to go through the back seat trunk pass-through and manage to reach the emergency trunk open handle?

Or a Pop-a-Lock service should be able to get into the driver's compartment.

You'd have to be one hell of a contortionist to squeeze through there...also weigh less than 150 lb while being 6 foot tall.

 

[Rodney Dangerfield]

The other option is to go buy one of the battery booster boxes to quickly charge up the battery enough to get it to open up. I'd then take it to an auto parts store to have them run a check on the whole charging system to see if the alternator hasn't gone bad because sitting for a few weeks shouldn't have killed the battery.

 

[EdP]

The other option is to go buy one of the battery booster boxes to quickly charge up the battery enough to get it to open up. I'd then take it to an auto parts store to have them run a check on the whole charging system to see if the alternator hasn't gone bad because sitting for a few weeks shouldn't have killed the battery.

What would you hook it to? The hood release is in the cabin, locked.

 

[MorrisGray]

How would you connect the booster if you can't get in the car or the trunk?

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[joegr]

How would you connect the booster if you can't get in the car or the trunk?

Can you crawl under it and get to the "B" terminal on the starter?

 

[MorrisGray]

No, I do not believe you can but that is an interesting thought. I would call the dealer and see if they have a suggestion for sure. My wife is driving our Genesis but when she gets home I am going to see if the key will open our doors and trunk as I have never tried it. We did buy it new so it should!

 

[Rodney Dangerfield]

Been up since 4AM after about 7 hour sleep the last two days...complete brain fart on that one.

 

[Andyj]

The manual key should unlock the car door and the trunk if there is a key slot.

 

[daviderle]

If the OP still in the same spot, IMHO calling a good lock smith should be able to open the car in no time, they could also should be able to get a spare fob programmed and cut at the same time.

Tthere are many retailers that still sell these fobs, example:

Genesis Key fob

 

[16UltV6Guy]

You'd have to be one hell of a contortionist to squeeze through there...also weigh less than 150 lb while being 6 foot tall.

I didn't mean for a person to actually maneuver through the pass-thru. I meant to reach through it with a straightened coat hanger or something and hook the emergency trunk release handle and pull it.

But, in hindsight, the OP couldn't even access his driver's compartment, so that suggestion was worthless.

The manual key should unlock the car door and the trunk if there is a key slot.

We have had our 2010 Genesis parked in the garage for several weeks without being started and when we went to unlock the vehicle with the remote fob, it wouldn't unlock. I am assuming that the vehicle battery is dead because neither key fob will unlock the vehicle, even after changing the fob battery. I thought, no problem, I will just use the manual key to unlock it. To my surprise, I found that the key will not work - it will go into the lock but will not turn in either direction. I also tried the manual key in the trunk but in that case the key will not even go into the lock. Now we bought the car used and I am wondering if the previous owner may have changed out the key fobs with new fobs that will work remotely on the car but that don't have the correct keying to be used manually. Is this a possibility?
My dilemma now is how to get into the car (or even the trunk so that I can recharge the battery)? Getting the car to the dealership would be a major ordeal and I am sure that they would not come to me. Does anyone know if tow truck operator can open a Genesis?

 

[Emay]

jack up the car, pull the belly pans down and catch the battery terminal on the alternator. It's on the passenger side along the frame rail. I had to get creative last week due to a dead battery and that was the easiest reach I could find. It's a tight fit, if you need to, slide a blanket or some cardboard up on the rail side to protect from accidentally grounding.

 

[QuantumRift]

Geeze, just go the simplest route: Have the car towed to the dealer, and they will unlock the car. Don't overthink it.

 

[EdP]

Geeze, just go the simplest route: Have the car towed to the dealer, and they will unlock the car. Don't overthink it.

Have not heard back in two weeks so perhaps he is still thinking about a solution.

 

[QuantumRift]

I reckon so...

Have not heard back in two weeks so perhaps he is still thinking about a solution.