doubtfull24
New Member
Does any one know how to use a slim jim? My key's are locked in my car and I'm trying a hanger with no luck I have borrowed a slim jim but I have no clue what to do.Thanks in advance for any help!
Slim Jim
- Thread starter doubtfull24
- Start date
doubtfull24
New Member
I wish ! I tried to get a set made but for the type of car I have no one around here had a blank to make me a set!
doubtfull24
New Member
My toes are frozen and so are my hands.I know how important it is to have a spare set of keys and will make sure I get a set no matter what
Now can someone please help me ?
Now can someone please help me ?
millertc
New Member
Per How to Use a Slim Jim - wikiHow
1. A car door isn't just a door.
2. Most cars made after 1992 have a lot of mechanics and a variety of function controls housed inside the door. They may have side impact air bags and electrical wiring for power locks. They may have connectors for lock linkage.
3. If you are not 100% sure of what is INSIDE the car door you are trying to open do not look beyond step #1 of this article. You will likely damage the car door lock when trying to use a slim jim to open it. Screwing up a car opening job can easily cost over $200 if you damage your (or someone else's) door panel.
4. Insert the tool carefully between the passenger car door window and the weather stripping. This is a tight space and you may only have a quarter of an inch of access to the lock linkage.
5. Move the tool slowly back and forth until it grabs the lock rod.
6. Carefully move it until the lock flips over. The car door is now unlocked!
Be VERY careful when using a slim jim to open the PASSENGER side door - never the drivers door because you can easily damage all of the controls in the drivers door with a slim jim...particularly if you are a novice.
Never, Never try and use a slim jim on a door that has side curtain air bags. If you set the air bag off it will send that slim jim right back at you and has been know to cause death or serious injury.
Learning how to use a slim jim starts with an understanding of car door locks. Most car door locks function by means of a control arm. The control arm activates when the car key is turned in the lock, but can also be bypassed in order to open the door without a key. A slim jim is a thin piece of spring steel with a notch cut out of one end. The slim jim's notched end is used to access this control arm via the car window. The notched end makes it easier to pull the lock rod up.
1. A car door isn't just a door.
2. Most cars made after 1992 have a lot of mechanics and a variety of function controls housed inside the door. They may have side impact air bags and electrical wiring for power locks. They may have connectors for lock linkage.
3. If you are not 100% sure of what is INSIDE the car door you are trying to open do not look beyond step #1 of this article. You will likely damage the car door lock when trying to use a slim jim to open it. Screwing up a car opening job can easily cost over $200 if you damage your (or someone else's) door panel.
4. Insert the tool carefully between the passenger car door window and the weather stripping. This is a tight space and you may only have a quarter of an inch of access to the lock linkage.
5. Move the tool slowly back and forth until it grabs the lock rod.
6. Carefully move it until the lock flips over. The car door is now unlocked!
Be VERY careful when using a slim jim to open the PASSENGER side door - never the drivers door because you can easily damage all of the controls in the drivers door with a slim jim...particularly if you are a novice.
Never, Never try and use a slim jim on a door that has side curtain air bags. If you set the air bag off it will send that slim jim right back at you and has been know to cause death or serious injury.
Learning how to use a slim jim starts with an understanding of car door locks. Most car door locks function by means of a control arm. The control arm activates when the car key is turned in the lock, but can also be bypassed in order to open the door without a key. A slim jim is a thin piece of spring steel with a notch cut out of one end. The slim jim's notched end is used to access this control arm via the car window. The notched end makes it easier to pull the lock rod up.
kom526
They call me ... Sarcasmo
You think this line can be used in a bar?
G1G4
Find em Hot, Leave em Wet
Aslong as you add 'don't worry, I'll rewrap before you enjoy it too much'
doubtfull24
New Member
Thank you to those of you who actually gave me any help I appreciate it! We finally got it open Now I have to find a place to make me an extra set of keys
Now I have to find a place to make me an extra set of keys 
Dye Tied
Garden Variety Gnome
Thank you to those of you who actually gave me any help I appreciate it! We finally got it open
You should also thank those that made you laugh
kom526
They call me ... Sarcasmo
doubtfull24
New Member
I was thanking you and the person who posted directions .Thank you for your suggestion It's nice to know when you have a question or need assistance you know you have a place to ask .
It's nice to know when you have a question or need assistance you know you have a place to ask .slaphappynmd
New Member
Mythbusters proved that the airbag this is a MYTH. It can't send the slim jim back at you like a projectile. The wiki's are nice but it requires someone with a brain to make it factual. Hey baja go fix it, you know everything, maybe take aps and bob with you too.
itsbob
I bowl overhand
HEY!! How the hell did I make THAT list??
I was just sitting here minding my own business..
glhs837
Power with Control
Thank you to those of you who actually gave me any help I appreciate it! We finally got it open
What kind of car? And model year, that can make a difference.
SEABREEZE 1957
My 401K is now a 201K
I was thanking you and the person who posted directions .Thank you for your suggestion
It amazes me that this is a place you went to ask for advice..Seriously, if I was stuck and needed to get into my car, this is probably, if not ever, the place I'd go.
Hey - on the up side - people respnded.
I'm trying to picture you texting for help.
Hey wait, somd.com/forums - cheaper than a locksmith......
doubtfull24
New Member
Hey,SEABREEZE
I was at home and I am not the one who locked them in the car
I called everyone I thought might know how to use one and looked online myself for info on how to use it.I was also being sarcastic when I said It's nice to know when you have a question or need assistance you know you have a place to ask . If I ended up not being able to open it then I would have called a locksmith but why pay for something if you can do it yourself.
BadGirl
I am so very blessed
Hey,SEABREEZE
I was at home and I am not the one who locked them in the car
It's nice to know when you have a question or need assistance you know you have a place to ask . If I ended up not being able to open it then I would have called a locksmith but why pay for something if you can do it yourself.
Next time provide more information, and MAYBE someone will give a helpful answer.
I know I can get into a Chevy Corsica with an 18 inch ruler, and can use a slim jim on a car from the 80s up to the mid 90s.. Today's cars? No way would I try or suggest to anyone that they do.
A hanger through the windows? Fine, but a slim jim? Not a chance.
DEEKAYPEE8569
Well-Known Member
If you carry a wallet all the time, keep a spare dorky.......er uuummm DOOR KEY in your wallet. I know it has saved ME a few choice words and broken windows.
I also thought I saw on TV somewhere that if your car has power door locks and you can call someone who can put hands on a spare key fob, he/she can unlock the doors THRU THE CELL PHONE. I haven't tried that, but on this program; I think it was a news program; IT WORKED.
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