Car doors locked with engine running

I just went and bought a slim jim, but can't seem to do anything with it.
What is the technique?
Tried a coat hanger and hooking the handle but couldn't get it.

Thanks in advance guys

Sorry I'm of no help but how much gas do you have in the car?

let's just say I could be waiting a long while

anyone know how to slim jim it?

try fishing the coat hanger inside the car and try to hook the door handle and pull or hit the unlock button.

tried the coat hanger trick, no luck

:rofl: How did that happen?
Its not supposed to lock till the car starts moving.

that's what i thought too. i was cleaning the windows and i had a bad leak which i fixed yesterday . so i thought i'd air it out and run the heater while i clean the windows. i got in using the fob and leaning over to the driver side and started the car. i left the pass. door open. i nudged the door accidentally and only caught it after it had clicked closed.
why did the doors lock? i thought there was a 10 mph auto lock???????

:rofl: How did that happen?
Its not supposed to lock till the car starts moving.

Probably has a bad lock module in the driver's door. It won't detect the door had been opened, and will re-lock it after a couple of minutes.

I haven't used a slimjim in a bunch of years, but as I recall it depends on snagging a horizontal locking bar inside the door. The Passat doesn't have one.

I'd be looking for something to reach past the window seal and hit the lock button with. That's what the last locksmith I called did.

I'd be looking for something to reach past the window seal and hit the lock button with. That's what the last locksmith I called did.

x2. I don't know that you'd be able to pull up the door lock, so trying to hit the lock/unlock button is the best idea I have. of course, a second key would work the best...

bought the car used, only 1 key unfotunately.
what implement could i use to wrangle in the seal to hit the button with enough force?

Put on a leather glove or use a potholder and cover the exhaust pipe to smother the engine. It'll stop running but the ignition will still be on.

Do you have AAA or an auto insurance policy with road service?

It might cost you, but your best option might be to call a pro. They have the tools and knowhow to get into the car in no time and without trashing the door.

I read a post on here some time ago about a similar situation. The roadside assistance tech slipped some sort of inflatable bags between the door and frame and inflated them enough to create a small gap. Then he used some sort of long wire tool to reach across to the far side door handle, snag the door release and open the door. Little time, no damage.

no idea. maybe a coat hanger, just maybe. there won't be a lot of room once you get the window pried open from the door frame.

You might go in with a fairly small, long stick from the passenger door (which won't annoy you as much if you bugger it up some, since you won't see it). You can probably pry the door open slightly with something soft (not a screwdriver!) and slide the stick in to push the unlock button. Or go for the door lock shaft with the sharp hook part of the slim jim. You could resort to popping a window and getting it fixed later. That would suck, though. Good luck...

usually in my experiences with older cars the sun roof doesn't completely seal, maybe use that as your point of entry

I'd slide a dip stick (or similar) down from the top of the window (since the flat metal doesn't wiggle side to side, only the in and out axis, giving better control) and try pushing the unlock button directly below. Bending the stick to keep it close to the door panel as it goes down. This is easier than a coat hanger. I even keep my old one hanging in the garage for just such an occasion, and other similar jobs, after I replaced my broken funnel tube.

I think the slim jim can only grab the Bowden cable, which probably won't open the door.

So anyway, let us know what happened.

Here's pics of the inside of the door if that'll help:

//www.taligentx.com/passat/maintenance/doorlockmechanism/

slim jim wont work, you'll just knock the cable off the handle and its a pain in the ass. you are gonna need to wedge the door and get a rod to hit the unlock button.

If you can't figure it out DIY try AAA.

Did you get it or is the engine still running?

i had no luck whatsoever.
i called my ins. co. and fortunatley i had the sense to get cover all those years back when i started with progressive.
the man came out and had it open in 2 mins.
that's was lucky!

thanks though guys, i appreciate it