Can I get locked IN my car?

[wwjd]

Actual question, since I have no way to test it. Everything is electric in my 2002 Boxster.

Does pulling the door handle UNLOCK the lock in the door MANUALLY, if there was zero power to electrically unlock it? It sounds like it electrically unlocks when I pull the handle, before it lets me pull it again to exit vehicle.

Obviously, it should have to unlock, but I am just curious.

Electric windows, electric locks, electric TOP... I bet I could punch or cut my way out through the soft top...

(sorry, I think of weird things sometimes)

[Deserion]

Originally Posted by wwjd

Does pulling the door handle UNLOCK the lock in the door MANUALLY, if there was zero power to electrically unlock it? It sounds like it electrically unlocks when I pull the handle, before it lets me pull it again to exit vehicle.

Should be able to, yes. The electrical part is the opposite door unlocking too.

[wwjd]

you mean it unlocks if electrics die, or no electric to lock in first place?

Say if my FRUNK RAT chews through battery cable while I'm driving, locked, down the road, it would unlock?

[Qckslvr]

The inside door handle will open the door with the car locked.... Now if your fruck rat manages to get to the cable inside the door that connects the handle to the latch..... Well then you will have problems.

Not sure, but I think all cars are like this. Probably a safety thing.

[wwjd]

Originally Posted by Qckslvr

The inside door handle will open the door with the car locked.... Now if your fruck rat manages to get to the cable inside the door that connects the handle to the latch..... Well then you will have problems.

Not sure, but I think all cars are like this. Probably a safety thing.

yeah. Only reason I ask is I have to pull handle twice to exit. First pull feels/sounds like it unlocks ELECTRICALLY, not manually. Which is where my silly question comes from
I'm probably using the car door wrong

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by wwjd

yeah. Only reason I ask is I have to pull handle twice to exit. First pull feels/sounds like it unlocks ELECTRICALLY, not manually. Which is where my silly question comes from
I'm probably using the car door wrong

When I lock my doors, 98, upon exiting I pull the handle... it unlocks the door and I find myself releasing the handle, and pulling it again to open the door.

[wwjd]

Originally Posted by Starter986

When I lock my doors, 98, upon exiting I pull the handle... it unlocks the door and I find myself releasing the handle, and pulling it again to open the door.

Right. Is that first pull/unlock doing it MANUALLY or electrically? Sounds and feels electrical to me. I shall study it deeper

Logically, of course it would be manually, but doesnt feel like it is to me.

[Zibodo]

I’ll follow this topic with great interest. I have gotten locked in my car (a 98) a number of times. When it happens, no matter how many times I flip the handle, the door does not open. In those cases I have to lower the window and open the door with the outside handle. Based on this, I think if the battery died I could be trapped. I posted on this forum and the feedback was to swap out the ignition switch. I have now done that with no improvement. Someone also suggested either failure of or adjustment of the micro switch in the door. I haven’t yet worked through that one.

[wwjd]

Wow, really? Sounds like the locking/unlocking is only electric?
Zibodo, how were you able to lower the window? Mine are electric windows

Is there ANY WAY to release the soft top manually?

[Qckslvr]

ok so here is your answer!

Yes to lock the car you must have power to the door lock. The solenoid actuates the lock mechanism. But to unlock the car, no power is needed. But it can only be done from the inside door handle. See attached video

https://imgur.com/ox3LMoQ

The way the lock works in the video
-close door (flip the latch)
-lock the door (the clear plastic lever being moved)
-oh crap how do I get out now!
-open the inside handle once to unlock the car
-open the inside handle a second time to unlock the latch

I learned how to make gifs!!

[dghii]

Door latch mechanism is both mechanical and electrical.

In order to lock yourself in your car\

Inner door handle would have to fair and...
power windows would have to not work to allow you to reach out of the car and use the outer handle and...
outer handle would not work if your doors were locked and the the electrical portion of the door handle was broke. and...
You couldn't put your cars to down and...
You didn't have a knife to cut your top!

[Zibodo]

Yes wwjd my windows are electric.

After reviewing the description an watching the video I am not sure how my intermittent failure is happening. Is the lock shown common to all years? If so maybe mine is worn. It feels like the handle is close to releasing, but can’t quite get there.

[particlewave]

Originally Posted by Zibodo

Yes wwjd my windows are electric.

After reviewing the description an watching the video I am not sure how my intermittent failure is happening. Is the lock shown common to all years? If so maybe mine is worn. It feels like the handle is close to releasing, but can’t quite get there.

Could be that the cable's sheath retaining clip is broken or not locked in.
It's really easy to pull the door card and check things out.

BTW, the answer to the topic is "yes".
If the battery became disconnected, you'd be locked in.

[wwjd]

Originally Posted by particlewave

BTW, the answer to the topic is "yes".
If the battery became disconnected, you'd be locked in.

I think they are showing above the lock is mechanical, not electrical. If the cable to the lock fails, yes, could be problems.

God bless advanced technology! (or: why AI will kill us all)

[particlewave]

My mistake. I misunderstood...