[madbullram]

Hi all,
My Honda Civic (Automatic top end) was under flood water for 3 days. Water has gone down and the door is jammed. We are not able to open the door. Since both Parking and Hand Brake is engaged, we are not able to tow the car. Its hindering my neighbours and causing a lot of problem for them.

The only solution i got was to break open the quarter glass in the back and open the back door. My Insurance company is saying i cant do that without their surveyor coming to check and it will take them at least 3 more days to get a surveyor. If i still go ahead and break glass without them they will not honour my claim.

I am at complete loss with my neighbours put to hardship and on other hand if i break open I might end up losing entire insurance for my flood hit car. Any ideas on opening the door or releasing hand brake and transmission ?

[KiloAlpha]

Does this car not have a key slot in the driver side door? It is a standard safety override feature in most cars - car can be unlocked with the key the old-fashioned way.
If your car has keyless entry, then a key for manual unlocking should be there in the key fob.

[madbullram]

Its there, but the door mechanism is jammed (was under water for 3 days) and manual key is not opening it. Thats the whole problem. Only trunk is opening but seat is fixed and we could not move it.

[KiloAlpha]

Originally Posted by madbullram

Its there, but the door mechanism is jammed (was under water for 3 days) and manual key is not opening it. Thats the whole problem. Only trunk is opening but seat is fixed and we could not move it.

1. Try WD40. Peel off the beading next to the windows and spray inside the door as well, if you can. If that does not (or did not) work, then
2. Try releasing the handbrake from under the car - you will need a mechanic for this (or the traffic cops!). If this works, then the car can be towed away.
3. PM Civic owners on this forum for help. 2 of them come to mind - @Nikhilb2008 and @sgiitk.
4. Sacrifice the rear seat. Cut through it.

[madbullram]

Originally Posted by KiloAlpha

1. Try WD40. Peel off the beading next to the windows and spray inside the door as well, if you can. If that does not (or did not) work, then
2. Try releasing the handbrake from under the car - you will need a mechanic for this (or the traffic cops!). If this works, then the car can be towed away.
3. PM Civic owners on this forum for help. 2 of them come to mind - @Nikhilb2008 and @sgiitk.

1. Opened the beeding and emptied two WD 40 can yesterday, no change.

2. Unfortunately, we still have water under the car, mechanic cannot go under and its dirty infected water. I dont want to risk them :(. There is a flood affected car in front and back so even towing truck is not able to come and lift it high.

3. Will do

[sagarpadaki]

Why cant you just break the quarter glass and later say that some miscreants did it ? Later if the insurance surveyor asked you how you moved the car just say that i unlocked the door and got it pushed out by the apartment neighbors

[gthang]

Originally Posted by madbullram

Any ideas on opening the door or releasing hand brake and transmission ?

Hi there.

Hope you and your loved ones handled the floods OK.

Have you tried to "jimmy" the locks using a coat hanger?

If you can access youtube, please watch the following video, or see similar videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZgEI4-tu2s

You could try on the passenger side, if you feel driver side mechanism is jammed.

Good luck.

Cheers

[madbullram]

Originally Posted by gthang

Hi there.

Hope you and your loved ones handled the floods OK.

Have you tried to "jimmy" the locks using a coat hanger?

If you can access Youtube, please watch the following video, or see similar videos.

https://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=dZgEI4-tu2s

You could try on the passenger side, if you feel driver side mechanism is jammed.

Good luck.

Cheers

1. Yes, family was sent by boat.
2. I am told this wont work on the top end civic.

[KomS_CarLog]

Perhaps, you can remove the door handle/lock bezel (there should be some screw) and/or the door handle cup and reach inside the door and manually move the lock rod?

[dr.ashoka]

Hi, Try to jack up the car both in the front and rear, with jack that have wheels, like the ones in tyre alignment shops, and push the car. Hope this helps.

[KiloAlpha]

See this post: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...ml#post3866678

Quoting from the Economic Times article linked:

The rate of depreciation for rubber, nylon or plastic parts, tubes, batteries and airbags is 50 per cent. For damage to tyres unless the vehicle was damaged due to the same peril, the cover is only 50 per cent of the cost of replacement. For glass, it is zero. So, if you had to break a window when the locks were stuck due to a short circuit, you'll be fully reimbursed.

[Rahul Bhalgat]

Hi,
Sorry to hear about your inconvenience.

The rear quarter-glass may not be costing much, even if you have to pay from your pocket. It shall be quick and convenient option to break it. Replace the quarter glass and then claim the insurance.

Or call a crane (Hydra), they typically charge Rs. 400 per hour. Lift the car in place using the Hydra crane. Make sure they put the slings at proper place without damaging the car. Once you lift the car 6-7 feet, the parking brake can be disengaged from the underside.

Are the locks not opening due to drained battery? You can try connecting a working battery (lend it for few minutes from a battery repair shop) with jumpers and then try opening the lock.

[negativeH]

The jacking up method should work fine, if the water stagnation under the car is just a few inches.
Jack the rear - insert flat trolley - move. Should offer a temporary respite to your neighbour's trouble, at-least.

Also, guys, could the door be 'sealed' due to an air pressure difference build up - if the car was submerged in water?

[kiku007]

Call this number +91 90946 46617. Ask him for a flat bed truck which has the individual platform for wheels. Imagine this to be the wheeled platforms we use for Gas Cylinders.

Car will be lifted, each wheel will be placed on this platform and winched on to the flat bed.

Good luck.

For reference, use my name (Kishore) and tell them they towed my Ecosport AT from CIT Nagar to MPL Ford.

[madbullram]

Still stuck, its been 3 days and Capital Honda keeps saying tomorrow they will send. Waiting continues at the mercy of Capital Honda.

Kiku: I spoke to him and he said he will call back and then started dismissing my calls. guess its too much trouble for him currently as they all have lot of towing requirements. So no help in that side.

Most of the mechnics are saying mostly this will be a Total Loss as water was upto steering top level. If thats the case will we get the IDV or will they give only % of IDV? Mine is a 2008 Honda Civic.