Getting inside 2012 V8V with a dead battery

[fakemickjagger]

The battery on my 2012 V8 vantage is dead and I don’t have a mechanical key to unlock the doors. I need to access the engine bay to jump the car but I do not currently have the tools where the car is staying to jack it and remove the wheel and liner or undertray.

I was going to call roadside assistance and get them to use an inflatable wedge tool but I’m afraid it might mess up with the alignment or worse given frameless windows.

Anyone had this done on their car? Or any other suggestions short of getting it towed to the shop?

Thanks

[Greathey]

I had a nightmare when I locked my Audi TT key in the boot. My only solution was to get a replacement key from the dealer who charged well over 500 pounds for it

I hope you get a solution soon

[AMV8Stuart]

You can access the jump points via the wheel arch. Jack up car, remove liner and the positive jump point plus a ground are right there.

[fakemickjagger]

AMV8Stuart said:

You can access the jump points via the wheel arch. Jack up car, remove liner and the positive jump point plus a ground are right there.

Thanks for the reply but as I mentioned in my post I do not currently have the tools where the car is staying to jack it and remove the wheel and liner or undertray. I'm trying to find another solution if it exists.
Even if i did, the key to the lug nut lock is in the trunk which is also locked and not accessible

[retromodcoza]

The emergency key is a 6 cut tibbe lock (What you call the mechanical key). If you buy the lock pick, you can pick the lock and open the door, giving you access to the bonnet release in the passenger side footwell. If you don't want to buy the lock pick, then call a locksmith and ask them if they have the tool for it. Not all locksmiths will. Find one that does.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005010738092690.h...


If you need help picking it PM me.

I have done this on my 09 vantage. Picking is .... easyish. Once I got the tool I figured out the 6 cut combination in about an hour and then opening it thereafter was easy. I also had a key cut according to the combination.

Here is it in action in the rapide - its the same lock. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ap-bc9wG7Q - Bear in mind this guy is a locksmith. If you buy the pick, you will not get it open that easily.

Edited by retromodcoza on Monday 27th July 20:34

Edited by retromodcoza on Monday 27th July 20:35

[AMV8Stuart]

fakemickjagger said:

Thanks for the reply but as I mentioned in my post I do not currently have the tools where the car is staying to jack it and remove the wheel and liner or undertray. I'm trying to find another solution if it exists.
Even if i did, the key to the lug nut lock is in the trunk which is also locked and not accessible

But roadside assist would be able to rather than using wedges. I think you can even get the liner out or removed sufficiently without removing the wheel.

[Apollya]

With the VH2 you can manually unlock using the key, then you need to slowly and carefully prise the window (fully up as no power) past the seal, use a plastic trim tool, once you get a little way past, the door will simply pop out and open.

I suggest then ensuring you have something placed between door and/or window and the main body to prevent it accintalky getting closed again.

You might ask how I know this… well in March I moved house and moved my V8V N400 to my new garage, however in doing so I accidentally had wrong setting on my CTek which allowed battery to fully drain. Callled AA out as although it had initially enough power to open car I couldn’t start or move it.

The AA man come out and he managed to press the battery disconnect button before I could tell him not to and then to top it off he accidentally managed to close the door trying to get past 🤭. This left me in same situation as you and we had to prise door open before we could attach a jump pack to get it started and put the garage and allow access to be able to change battery for a brand new one.

[fakemickjagger]

Apollya said:

With the VH2 you can manually unlock using the key

Unfortunately I don’t have the mechanical key, only the ECU fob.

[Go60 Jay]

There is a compartment under the driver side the hides a positive jump point. You have to unscrew the flap/liner.

A jack from another car/friend or get recovery to jack the car up and have them do it.

I’ll look now for a video guidance.

Kind regards,
John

[Go60 Jay]

Here you go.

https://youtu.be/3vfbfsVhZmM?feature=shared

Kind regards,
John

[fakemickjagger]

Go60 Jay said:

Here you go.

https://youtu.be/3vfbfsVhZmM?feature=shared

Kind regards,
John

Thanks this looks like my solution. Now I just need to find a neighbor with a torx bit set. My toolbox is in the trunk of another car of mine that’s at the shop far far away.

[fakemickjagger]

Go60 Jay said:

Here you go.

https://youtu.be/3vfbfsVhZmM?feature=shared

Kind regards,
John

Mission success! Thanks to all who helped with suggestions. With a T30 bit from the neighbour held tight by an adjustable wrench I was able to access the positive terminal underneath the car without lifting it. I got power and unlocked with the fob. This video helped a ton.

[bogie]

Go60 Jay said:

Here you go.

https://youtu.be/3vfbfsVhZmM?feature=shared

Kind regards,
John

Great info, first time I've seen that, it should be added to the FAQ Wiki on here. Not sure who has access to that, ive tried to edit in the past and get a 403 error.

[Go60 Jay]

fakemickjagger said:

Mission success! Thanks to all who helped with suggestions. With a T30 bit from the neighbour held tight by an adjustable wrench I was able to access the positive terminal underneath the car without lifting it. I got power and unlocked with the fob. This video helped a ton.

That’s great news, I’m really pleased it helped and credit to the guy who made the video.

Kind regards,
John