Dead battery cannot unlock door with key either? Help.

[civdiv99]

My 2011 Camaro has been parked for a while. Original battery is dead. Obviously I cannot unlock car with fob. Turns out that using the key in the door (physically inserting and turning) does nothing. The key turns but door stays locked, so it seems the lock is electronic, not a physical lock actuation.

Surely there is a way to deal with dead battery in this situation?

[civdiv99]

Never mind. I read that you have to turn it with oomph and it’ll give way and turn past the normal travel and unlock, which it did.

[CamaroFred]

Okay, then open the hood and connect a jumper or charger to the red post and the ground contact next to the air filter and the electric trunk should release so you can access the battery.


It wouldn't hurt if you occasionally used the lock cylinder in the door. Put a bit of oil on the key and give her the old in-out-twist a few times.
Wouldn't hurt your ignition or glove box either. Just don't overdo the oil.



F'kn Chevy not putting a lock cylinder on the trunk. A'holes.

[civdiv99]

Yeah I’ve already swapped the battery since I posted. I just didn’t anticipate the necessary torque to turn the key past the stop, but I suppose given it normally works electronically it makes sense to have a stout detent at that point before it moves mechanically.

Thx