elise 111r, how to open car with key (not alarm fob)

[kazino]

I have tried opening my driver door with the key and it does not work, is there something wrong with the lock or is the only way to open the car with the key. My battery is not dead but if it did die then is the only way to open up the boot and charge the battery then use the fob?

[sato]

If it's the same as mine turning the key works inependently to the remote central locking. In affect you can double lock the doors, once with the remote and once with the key - and you would need to unlock both sepetatley to get back in. Took my a while to work that one out.

[sato]

Sorry, for the second part of your question my battery has been flat loads of times and I've always had enough charge to get into the car.

[Skaffen]

I believe the Europa S used the same system, in which case...

The central locking deadlocks the locks, so you can't use the interior handles or the keys to unlock, only the central locking to unlock. If the battery did die you would need to charge it as you say. The key can only unlock if you've only used the key to lock (i.e. not locked using central locking), but only if you've not used the key to deadlock it.

The Europa S service notes say the following :

• In the event of a flat vehicle battery, the central door locking will not operate. The doors can be unlocked from outside only after opening the tailgate and restoring power to the battery by substitution, re-charging or ‘jumping’ to a second battery.
• To lock the car with a flat or disconnected battery, use the mechanical key in each exterior door button to disconnect each release button from the latch. This technique does not 'deadlock' the interior release handles, but does allow continued key access to the car until restoration of battery power.
• To deadlock the car with a flat vehicle battery, or without the use of the transmitter or mechanical key, close and lock one door using the sill button, and for the second door, hold the exterior release button pressed in and depress the sill button before closing the door. Access is now available only on restoration of electrical power.

[kazino]

thanks guys, thought there might be something wrong with the lock, mind at ease now.