2017 Fiat Ducato flat cab battery, help !

[Roger S]

Hello, I have a good friend who last year bought a horse box, the cab battery has gone so flat it wont unlock the doors, the only key she has ( ignition key ) doesnt fit the door ! she has phoned the dealer but they have no more keys.

Does any one know of a way of getting into the cab without damaging the skin, I know if it where that easy ......... or even better, a way of charging the battery from under the cab or bonnet if I am able to get that undone.

Thank you for your help.

Roger

 

[David and Sally]

There is a jump start point under the bonnet but the catch is inside the near side door. Maybe a mobile locksmith to open the driver door?
The starter battery is in the passenger footwell.

 

[SandraL]

If you grovel underneath either the starter motor or alternator is likely to have a "live" terminal where a charger or jump battery could be connected.
Might save opening the bonnet. Probably need to jack and support vehicle first.

 

[Roger S]

Thank you for replying. I didnt think there was a jump start point under the bonnet on the later ones, so that could be useful. Thank you

Roger

 

[Ranger]

As said above there should be somewhere underneath to connect a live and earth. If you try and use a smart charger and the battery is totally flat they usually just shut down as they don't have a reference voltage to work from. Use an old type charger if possible or another battery with care and all you are trying to do is provide enough power to let the central locking work and then sort the battery out later.

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[gus-lopez]

Ot could also be that the "key" is the correct one just that it has never been used & the lock has jammed up. I had it on the rear tail gate of my mpv & also on this Transit, which only has a drivers lock.I had to flood it with wd40 & keep trying to work it each way until it freed. Now I regularly check it.

 

[jockaneezer]

I think there was an article on here about low lifes breaking into Ducatos by inserting a thin screwdriver just under the bezel around the key hole, if it works for them........ ?

 

[DaveandJen]

Lots of excellent replies above. Its also worth checking that your friend has no AA / RAC / Green Flag / breakdown cover because keys locked inside cars and motorhomes is a normal for them so they obviously know how to get inside.

 

[Roger S]

Excellant, thank you for all the replies.

Roger