How to open car or hood manually, when battery is completely dead!

sean1k2 · 01-22-2013, 01:10 PM

I have been out of the country for the past 3 months and I left my car at my parents place. I have a 2011 Sonata SE with Nav. I got a call from my dad saying that my car is dead (battery) and the doors have locked. He previously was able to jump the car since he was able to open the doors with the key fob remote. Now the doors will not open. I assume the battery has died beyond where the key fob can open them. I return back home this week and would like to be able to deal with this headache before I return and come back to a working car. Any idea how to get into the car or at least popping the hood without being able to get in the car? I've read up about other cars having a backup battery or special mechanism on the door handle for these situations so I would think Hyundai thought this through....:/

notserpmh · 01-22-2013, 01:13 PM

You should be able to remove the manual key from the key fob by pushing the little silver circle and pulling out the part that attaches to the key ring. Use that key to get in the driver side door and then try to pop the hood.

sean1k2 · 01-22-2013, 01:16 PM

Since my car uses the proximity key, does the driver door have a key slot? I remember the trunk has one for sure. It's been 3 months since I've seen my car...lol

notserpmh · 01-22-2013, 01:17 PM

They should. I know my 2013 does and my wife's 2008 veracruz with the proximity keys does as well, for this specific instance. Only the driver's door will have a key slot though and you can only use the key to unlock the door and get in.

sean1k2 · 01-22-2013, 01:19 PM

okay cool, just emailed my dad. Hopefully its the same on the 2011! Thanks a bunch!

**Torchbearer** · 01-22-2013, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sean1k2

okay cool, just emailed my dad. Hopefully its the same on the 2011! Thanks a bunch!

It is.

macinb91 · 01-22-2013, 06:23 PM

I have a 2012 gls and I have no key holes on my doors only the trunk. I only have the basic fob. Hopefully yours isnt like mine.

reus49 · 01-22-2013, 07:07 PM

Just went out to my garage to check my SE (2012 turbo with prox key) and it does have the key slot. Hope this helps you out!

destro · 01-22-2013, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macinb91

I have a 2012 gls and I have no key holes on my doors only the trunk. I only have the basic fob. Hopefully yours isnt like mine.

It will have a key slot on the handle, to the rear of the push button.

sbr711 · 01-22-2013, 08:11 PM

Use the key.. and use it occasionally to keep the door and trunk cylinders from seizing in place due to lack of use.

01-22-2013, 01:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
sean1k2 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Sonata 2011 SE w/nav Posts: 148	How to open car or hood manually, when battery is completely dead! I have been out of the country for the past 3 months and I left my car at my parents place. I have a 2011 Sonata SE with Nav. I got a call from my dad saying that my car is dead (battery) and the doors have locked. He previously was able to jump the car since he was able to open the doors with the key fob remote. Now the doors will not open. I assume the battery has died beyond where the key fob can open them. I return back home this week and would like to be able to deal with this headache before I return and come back to a working car. Any idea how to get into the car or at least popping the hood without being able to get in the car? I've read up about other cars having a backup battery or special mechanism on the door handle for these situations so I would think Hyundai thought this through....:/ Last edited by sean1k2; 01-22-2013 at 01:12 PM.

01-22-2013, 08:11 PM	#10 (permalink)
sbr711 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: hiding from those who might be looking for me 373,300+ mile (2-16-13)daily drive that holding 30+ to 33 mpg with summer blend fuel Posts: 6,652	Use the key.. and use it occasionally to keep the door and trunk cylinders from seizing in place due to lack of use. __________________ <--- please fill in the 'location' and 'what you drive' boxes on your personal profile page. This information makes it much easier for other members to answer/comment on your posts.

01-22-2013, 01:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
notserpmh Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Fort Worth, TX Drives Veracruz Drives Sonata YF Posts: 19	You should be able to remove the manual key from the key fob by pushing the little silver circle and pulling out the part that attaches to the key ring. Use that key to get in the driver side door and then try to pop the hood.

01-22-2013, 01:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
sean1k2 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Sonata 2011 SE w/nav Posts: 148	Since my car uses the proximity key, does the driver door have a key slot? I remember the trunk has one for sure. It's been 3 months since I've seen my car...lol

01-22-2013, 01:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
notserpmh Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Fort Worth, TX Drives Veracruz Drives Sonata YF Posts: 19	They should. I know my 2013 does and my wife's 2008 veracruz with the proximity keys does as well, for this specific instance. Only the driver's door will have a key slot though and you can only use the key to unlock the door and get in.

01-22-2013, 01:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
sean1k2 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Sonata 2011 SE w/nav Posts: 148	okay cool, just emailed my dad. Hopefully its the same on the 2011! Thanks a bunch!

01-22-2013, 07:07 PM	#8 (permalink)
reus49 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Miramar, Florida USA Sonata 2012 SE TURBO 2008 Santa Fe Limited Posts: 724	Just went out to my garage to check my SE (2012 turbo with prox key) and it does have the key slot. Hope this helps you out!

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