Is there a cheap and easy way to unlock one of the doors on my 97 Z24 Cavalier?


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1997 Cavalier Z24
2.4 liter LD9
5 speed manual

the doors are flimsy... I was able to wedge wooden shims between the top of the door and the car.

then use coat hanger to hook door lock

Yeah Ive done it before as well. The cars are scary easy to open :p

blackbirdracing wrote:the doors are flimsy... I was able to wedge wooden shims between the top of the door and the car.

then use coat hanger to hook door lock

this i even took a screw driver and pryed it open and used a coat hanger. took me a good 10 min to figure out the technique but i think i could do it now in under a minute

Find big rock. Insert in side window. Cover with trash bag for future entry when you leave keys in car. Lol

AAA but I'm biased.

find others with J's, try their keys.


I've unlocked friends cars many times with either my, or my dad's J key.


I need a new sig.

Brad (ceyenne red beast) wrote:find others with J's, try their keys.


I've unlocked friends cars many times with either my, or my dad's J key.

There are only 25 key combo's that unlock the doors....... I have all 25 on a key ring in the garage.....


(ok, maybe not exactly,but I do have a ring of keys for this very reason.....)


Funny note, my grandma had a 97 base model cav at the same time as I had my 97 Z24...... the cars had the EXACT same key cut!




SPD RCR Z - '02 Z24 420whp
SLO GOAT - '04 GTO 305whp
W41 BOI - '78 Buick Opel Isuzu W41 Swap

If it's a 4 door, break the big window on the rear doors. It's cheaper than the small triangle glass. I know from experience when I locked my keys in my Cavi, with it running, about to overheat, and the low oil pressure light on.


2000 Ford F-250 7.3 Powerstroke 4x4 - Not stock
1973 16' Tahiti Speedboat
1983 200 HP Mercury BlackMax
1997 Chevy Cavalier with 275K miles

Use jiggler keys. Matter of seconds.


- Your not-so-local, untrained, uncertified, backyard mechanic. But my @!#$ runs

Blake wrote:Is there a cheap and easy way to unlock one of the doors on my 97 Z24 Cavalier?

i locked myself out of my car as well, and a mate in another forum suggested a link where to look for a locksmith http://carkeyadvice.com/united-kingdom-car-key-specialist-index its a very useful index. well, i had to be patient and make tons of calls and see how much would they quote me.. but i was lucky i found a real friendly and cheap one.. got the situation sorted out for 90 quids . i got myself a spare keys since then! i keep it in my wallet. it works!! cheers mates!

Go to the dealership with proof of insurance and the VIN number. Have them make a key.





i find it amusing that SHOoff has nothing better to do but follow me around & be an unhelpful dick in even cross-forum. - Jon Mick

SHOoff wrote:Go to the dealership with proof of insurance and the VIN number. Have them make a key.

This.. Or your can try the flexing the door method. These cars are easy to break into. Pretty much all your options have been listed but like said holding the door open at the top and using a coat hanger is free.

Just noticed how old this thread is.. If your keys are still locked in there then dam

Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Tuesday, November 20, 2012 2:14 PM

1 in 25 i thought that was ignition i thought doors and trunk was 1 in 12



JBO since July 30, 2001

Even though a old post, you can use two flat head screw drivers being careful not to bend the top of the door clear out. Then use the stock antenna to push the actual hard lock button. I've had to unlock my own j's and other peoples where it takes a few mins to do.

I locked my keys in my Cav a lot. Used wooden shims. Now the top of my door doesn't seal correctly and if it rains a good bit I get dripped on the shoulder a little lol.

Keyword is to not bend the door lol. I've seen lock smiths bend the crap out of them. You only need enough room to work with, not enough to stick or hand in. I have two js and unlocked mine probably 20 times and the other like 5. Mine has a 1k on it and no bent doors or leaks. The only thing it does have is bad door bushing lol.

have your second set of keys in your home so you can get into your locked car with the keys inside. i have 2 sets

Absolutely hate having to pry the door back. Once it's been done you can tell and the door never seals properly again. I used to have a 92 eagle talon and that car was extremely easy to get into, On those earky talons' and eclipses' There's a trim peipe below the rear quarter windows that slides off, then you remove a couple screws and the rear quarter window pulls right off. Less than 15 minutes !

Just carry a spare in your wallet. I was notorious for locking my keys in my car during high school, luckily my parents had spares lol

buy a magnetic key box from walmart (very strong magnet) and place it up under your frame somewhere. then if you ever need to you can grab the spare under your car. on one of my SUVs i had i had it up in the frame rail where it couldnt have fallen and no one would have ever noticed it.

lol ended up selling the truck and forgot to tell the guy haha


04 Cav. 2dr. 5spd. My DD. 'Nuff said.

Kody LaGreca wrote:I locked my keys in my Cav a lot. Used wooden shims. Now the top of my door doesn't seal correctly and if it rains a good bit I get dripped on the shoulder a little lol.

grab the top of your door and put your knee on the inside middle. and bend towards you. it will tighten up that gap again. easy to over bend though. just tweak it till its done.