HOWTO: Get your keys out of a locked boot (NA)

[peter]

1/ Carry a spare in your wallet
2/ Don't leave your wallet in the boot

Seriously, if you ever put your keys in the boot of your NZ model, and then the bootlid shuts, your stuck - because this model doesn't have an internal boot release latch.

To unlock the boot, follow the following procedure :

1/ remove the number plate.
2/ draw an imaginary line between the lock and the boot latch.
3/ drill a 1 inch (25mm) hole mid way along this line.
DO NOT DRILL TOO DEEPLY
4/ with some needle-nosed pliers, gently reach in and grasp the wire that connects the lock and boot latch, and gently tweak it until the boot pops open.
5/ Remove your keys and vow never to let this happen again.
6/ In case it happens again, fit a rubber grommet in the hole before you replace your number plate.

This happened to me one New Years Day on the Rawene Ferry, many thanks to the Rawene Garage who provided this solution!

[GRUVBB]

I always cable tie a spare key under the chassis somewhere.

Locked keys in Fairmont when at a party once and came out and found an amateur trying to open door with a coat hanger. Asked him what he doing and he said someone locked keys in and he trying to get them out. He must have overheard me or friend talking about it.
He was useless.
He only managed to wreck my two week old window rubbers. I told him its mine and there is a spare key under chassis. THANKS but get back to your own drinking and leave my rubbers alone.

[siren676]

Probably best not to put stuff like this on a public forum.

[zorruno]

Probably best not to put stuff like this on a public forum.

I know what you are thinking, but frankly this is better for your MX5 than a crowbar... and that is what a burglar would use. Incidentally this procedure has saved a few MX5 owners over the years (and is listed on a number of web forums)

[GRUVBB]

You need to be the size of an Olsen Twin to get under to actually find the SECRET location. O my fairmont I hung it on a piece of welding wire and it actually was sitting inside the chassis cavity. My mx had one from previous owner and I spotted it during initial inspection. Will be hiding it more than it is or at least painting camouflage on the cable tie... Yes I do jest.

[chris]

Fun fact, my old cars, I never bothered to lock, why? I never kept anything valuable in the car, and if it was going to get broken into I'd really rather just have them open the bloody door.

However, insurance can now be made void due to this >.<