Classics Safer than Moderns
Discussion
I have just had an interesting experience with a Volkswagen. I currently have an MGB as my daily driver, with a couple more projects taking space, so in order to get the MG out yesterday, I moved my wife's 04 VW Beetle up the road, and parked it. Walked back, and went off in the MG. On my return to the Beetle this morning, I found the battery was flat! I then found that I could not open the doors manually with the key! The boot opened however, so I got my young Son to clamber through and open the door from the inside. IT WOULD NOT OPEN!! He managed to flip the bonnet, so I connected some jump leads from the MG (of all cars, it has two six volts in the back) to the battery of the Volkswagen, which is located at the very front of the vehicle, and immediately the solenoids kicked in and I was able to open the door!
This experience whilst benign has highlighted a huge problem, YOU CANT GET OUT OF A MODERN BEETLE IF THE BATTERY IS DISABLED!! I discovered what had caused the flat battery it was the near side indicator, I had left it on, and when you switch the ignition off, the N/S sidelights come on!
Hmmm..........
This experience whilst benign has highlighted a huge problem, YOU CANT GET OUT OF A MODERN BEETLE IF THE BATTERY IS DISABLED!! I discovered what had caused the flat battery it was the near side indicator, I had left it on, and when you switch the ignition off, the N/S sidelights come on!
Hmmm..........
dryden said:
I discovered what had caused the flat battery it was the near side indicator, I had left it on, and when you switch the ignition off, the N/S sidelights come on!
Hmmm..........
Parking lights. And it sounds like a new battery is required.Hmmm..........
As for not being able to open the doors - did you try the manual method ? http://www.vwgenuineparts.co.uk/vw_manual_door_unl...
Edited by marshalla on Wednesday 4th November 23:17
(My) Beetle has a normal lock with exposed barrel, those hidden ones are a later mod, but who but a psychopath would design a car that you cannot get out of without battery power. The battery is at the very front N/S so any impact could disable the battery...... Who type approved these?
I have written to Volkswagen about it this evening asking these very questions, I will update if I get a reply.
I have written to Volkswagen about it this evening asking these very questions, I will update if I get a reply.
dryden said:
(My) Beetle has a normal lock with exposed barrel, those hidden ones are a later mod, but who but a psychopath would design a car that you cannot get out of without battery power. The battery is at the very front N/S so any impact could disable the battery...... Who type approved these?
I have written to Volkswagen about it this evening asking these very questions, I will update if I get a reply.
Sounds to me like there IS a way - use the key in the lock - except because your key locks haven't been used or lubricated in the 11yrs since the car was built, they've seized...I have written to Volkswagen about it this evening asking these very questions, I will update if I get a reply.
The door wouldn't unlock from the inside because it was deadlocked with the remote from outside.
//j17 said:
Can you get out of a TVR Tuscan if the battery goes flat while your inside it...?
Yes you can, doors have an additional manual release. You may break the side window glass (and from experience those are a nightmare to find a replacement) though.P.S. Don't you have important stuff to be doing?
TomOSmith said:
Yes you can, doors have an additional manual release. You may break the side window glass (and from experience those are a nightmare to find a replacement) though.
Or just wait until it starts raining and wait for the window to randomly open it's self - or is that just your car TomO? 
dryden said:
IT WOULD NOT OPEN!! He managed to flip the bonnet, so I connected some jump leads from the MG (of all cars, it has two six volts in the back) to the battery of the Volkswagen, which is located at the very front of the vehicle, and immediately the solenoids kicked in and I was able to open the door!
This experience whilst benign has highlighted a huge problem, YOU CANT GET OUT OF A MODERN BEETLE IF THE BATTERY IS DISABLED!! I discovered what had caused the flat battery it was the near side indicator, I had left it on, and when you switch the ignition off, the N/S sidelights come on!
Hmmm..........
It's by design. When you last locked the car you did it with the remote from outside the car, so by default the dead locking system would be activated, so if anyone breaking a window in an attempt to enter the car, can't open the doors.This experience whilst benign has highlighted a huge problem, YOU CANT GET OUT OF A MODERN BEETLE IF THE BATTERY IS DISABLED!! I discovered what had caused the flat battery it was the near side indicator, I had left it on, and when you switch the ignition off, the N/S sidelights come on!
Hmmm..........
The dead locks won't be activated if the key is in the ignition, so there's no danger of getting yourself locked in unless you sit inside the car and remote lock it or wind the window down and use the key in the lock.
The root cause of the problem could be down to a failed micro switch on the door lock, the door doesn't register as open and the lights on warning sound does not activate to remind you that the lights, including the parking lights are on.
Modern cars are far safer than classics in that they offer better occupant protection, systems that prevent you from having an accident and better security. You could counter claim that with statistics as I bet that last year there were more accidents and injuries involving VW Beetles than there were involving MGBs.
Thank you for that analysis, it sounds right, I will look into microswitches if I can find the enthusiasm :-) I do not like cars with opinions!
I also understand the modern safety features, I would rather crash in a modern.....But if it were avoidable, I would rather be in my MGB !
I also understand the modern safety features, I would rather crash in a modern.....But if it were avoidable, I would rather be in my MGB !
Edited by dryden on Friday 6th November 22:12
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