Car entry problem

Try wiggling the metal key while turning. If your 12v battery is dead, that would be your way into the car. Do you have a second key to try?

 

You can try spraying a little wd40 or similar lubricant in the key hole

 

If you want, get a larger key made at home depot and try. It'll give you more twisting power for $3. You just need to try harder as it seems stuck

 

no, purely mechanical. check the owners manual for a pic of which direction the key should turn and how far. you can use pliers on the key for leverage.

 

What made it finally work

 

Ok, just for the record, WD40 is not a lubricant, it is a solvent. On its own it is not good for your locks. You should spray a light oil lubricant into the lock after you have got the door open.

 

Not always a good idea. Most people in my experience break the key off in the lock compounding their problems.

 

yeah, i was thinking that while typing. that's why i suggested know which way to turn and how far.
unfortunately, some have not had enough strength to turn it by hand.

 

Hopefully you are using an AGM compatible 12V charger.
See post #8; Is my inverter coolant pump slowly failing? | PriusChat

 

Best to use graphite powder. Why? It doesn't attract dust and dirt.
Shop Hillman Graphite Powdered Lubricant at Lowes.com

Graphite powder is essentially very small squares of graphite (think no. 2 pencil lead shavings) that get blown into the key hole (home, car). A puff or two into the key hole, followed by insertion of key, turning the key, and removal of the key, repeat insertion/turn/removal, two or three more times. Additional graphite puffs might be needed, but unlikely. Insertion/turn/removal spreads the graphite around to "lubricate" the pins. This is counterintuitive, b/c the graphite is dry, and not wet like a traditional lubricant; but it works.

Additional recommendations on locks/hinges.
What’s the Correct Lubricant to Use on Door Locks and Hinges? | YourMechanic Advice

 

On a residential or commercial door lock I would agree with dry powdered graphite. In a car, I tend to prefer a light spray oil. Triflow is one brand that I use. It lubricates the lock and provides protection from corrosion. Dust isn’t that big of an issue because of the dust door that closes over the keyhole. Unless of course, you live in a dry climate. I live in Vancouver, BC and it gets pretty moist here at times.

 

very low, 12.4 minimum, imo.

 

What direction do you turn? I'm am locked out now!
I'm afraid I'll break if I turn the wrong direction, I already bent it slightly. Even after using some WD-40, still nothing!