Flat battery and no door look, how to open??

espaceMK · May 07, 2015, 03:52:47 PM

My 2002 Espace 2,0 16 the RACE automatic had lost all power after a "rest" for a few month. Need a easy way to open and charge the battery.

roy4matra · May 07, 2015, 07:41:36 PM

Quote from: espaceMK on May 07, 2015, 03:52:47 PM
My 2002 Espace 2,0 16 the RACE automatic had lost all power after a "rest" for a few month. Need a easy way to open and charge the battery.

When the car won't open by remote because the battery is flat and the central locking can't work, you open it manually with the key in the lock! (just like a normal non-central locking car) :-)

The manual lock is in the 'drivers' door, which, since this is a left hand drive designed vehicle, is the left hand front door - and therefore the passenger door for us in the U.K. with our RHD conversions.

Once in the car, open the bonnet and charge battery.

Roy

espaceMK · May 07, 2015, 08:30:43 PM

The door look does not work... That's the problem.
Can't open door with key, please advice an easy way to charge from the outside. No towbar...

WessexElectricNutter · May 09, 2015, 08:11:44 PM

Quote from: espaceMK on May 07, 2015, 08:30:43 PM
The door look does not work... That's the problem.
Can't open door with key, please advice an easy way to charge from the outside. No towbar...

Since they have no door knobs (wonderful idea Renault!), then a slim jim won't work, on another thought, tried a coat hanger? Tried a tool inside the vehicle to hook out the door handle and open the door that way? Theres a few options, but I don't know whether they work, I've thankfully not had to try it yet. (Note to self, keep doors unlocked when there is a risk of the battery getting drained.)

Another longer shot, I don't know if this works, BrianM again can probably confirm, is there any wires under the car that go directly from the battery? If you can plug a 12V source in that, then it could unlock the doors. You'll need to jack the car up, secure it and look around. Also you may need a wiring diagram as tapping into the wrong wire can do some serious damage.
EDIT: Other than that, it maybe a case of forced entry. Get a replacement window ready and pick one that will be easy to replace.

espaceMK · May 09, 2015, 09:05:07 PM

I'll try to connect a charger to the generator and ground. It's far from any mains outlet. Will be grateful for any suggestion on charging a looked car.

Jon Weywadt · May 11, 2015, 10:42:38 AM

Quote from: espaceMK on May 09, 2015, 09:05:07 PM
I'll try to connect a charger to the generator and ground. It's far from any mains outlet. Will be grateful for any suggestion on charging a looked car.

You could also follow Roy's advice and use the key in the left-hand front door lock, which is below the handle (It can be seen on all the photos of the 2002 Espace left side, that I can find).

My wife has a Nissan Almera where the key hole is covered by a small plastic plate. I had to pry it out and use the key one day, when I was parked in an area with so much radio interference, that the remote didn't work. Perhaps the Espace also has a cover over the key hole.

espaceMK · May 11, 2015, 07:01:48 PM

No cover on the passenger side and the cylinder is removed + the plastic pin on the driver side, so it can't be opened with key or tools (with ease)

roy4matra · May 24, 2015, 10:53:34 AM

Quote from: espaceMK on May 11, 2015, 07:01:48 PM
No cover on the passenger side and the cylinder is removed + the plastic pin on the driver side, so it can't be opened with key or tools (with ease)

Well that wasn't a very clever idea was it?! :-)

A word to everyone here - when you have a vehicle that is normally opened and locked by remote control, you should always make sure the manual (emergency) lock is cleaned and lubricated at least once say every 8 - 10 years or so, and check that it works, since you may rarely use it and could be seized or seizing up with lack of use. Then there is a good chance it will work when you need it. I fitted remote locking to my Murena many years ago but I also stripped, cleaned and lubricated the locks as I knew it would probably be a long time before I need to use them again. The locks still work fine today 20 years later.

Since you don't have the emergency manual option, you are going to have to break in to it most likely. For years, owners berated the manufacturers for making it so easy to get in and steal a car, so they finally made it harder. However, that means when the legitimate owner either loses their keys or has a situation like you have no with no manual lock, it is going to be tougher to break in.

The easiest is probably to buy a new spare driver or passenger door window, break the corresponding window to get in and then replace the window.

Roy

WessexElectricNutter · May 25, 2015, 04:38:56 PM

Quote from: roy4matra on May 24, 2015, 10:53:34 AM
The easiest is probably to buy a new spare driver or passenger door window, break the corresponding window to get in and then replace the window.

What about using the rear passenger pop out windows..... wait a minute, gives me an idea, I wonder if you can unscrew it?

roy4matra · May 26, 2015, 09:21:52 PM

Quote from: WessexElectricNutter on May 25, 2015, 04:38:56 PM
Quote from: roy4matra on May 24, 2015, 10:53:34 AM
The easiest is probably to buy a new spare driver or passenger door window, break the corresponding window to get in and then replace the window.

What about using the rear passenger pop out windows..... wait a minute, gives me an idea, I wonder if you can unscrew it?

Be careful with those windows. From memory those are bonded in along the hinge edge. Certainly the ones on my Espace I are bonded. That's why I said a door window was the best option. They are easier to replace.

Some tailgate used to have a manual lock, but I don't think your model does, unfortunately.

Roy

renaultsan · June 09, 2015, 01:25:23 AM

You might try releasing the bonnet catch manually from under the car, we had a similar problem with one of our Renault 25s and managed to release it this way

WessexElectricNutter · August 27, 2015, 05:15:43 PM

I thought I'll revive this thread for the OP. Did you manage to get in?

I had a situation the day before I posted this message where low and behold, yes, I got locked out of my espace with the keys IN the car and no spare. First step was to try and reach the CDL button... didn't work, I did this by releasing the sunroof a little bit and forcing the glass up gently.
Called out the AA, they used wedges to open the door enough to retrieve the keys with a rod and a hook. But when I tested it later, there is an easier way to get in. Use the wedges and with a tool with a hook, open the door handle from the inside. I tried it earlier on myself by locking myself in the car, I could open one of the doors easily.

So theres a thought for you, this should allow you to open the bonnet. Another thing you could do is unhook the sunroof if there is one and lifting the glass panel out. If all else fails, smash the sunroof, its easy to replace as all you do is lift the panel out by pushing one of the red clips. Make sure you have a spare and bewarned for any glass. But I'm not sure how strong the roof is and if it can take someones weight.