Mechanical key doesn't do anything

[citrus]

I want to lock and unlock the door with the mechanical key, but the key doesn't seem to do anything. I checked several threads on forums, Facebook groups, and Reddit, and tried the following (with the window down, so I can operate the interior lock from outside the car):

• With car battery disconnected:
  • Pull the door handle fully, insert the key, turn the key
  • Release door handle after turning the key, then pull door handle again
  • "Turn the key harder than you think"
  • With the door open, turning the key does nothing (should move or jiggle the lock, right?)
• With car battery connected:
  • Put the fob far away to not trigger proximity sensor, lock the door from the inside, turn the key
  • With the door open, turning the key also does nothing
  • Turning the key twice or holding it in the turned position (left or right) also doesn't roll the window up

It seems strange that this would be Honda's intent. I found this thread saying that the lock cable may not be connected or become disconnected during transit. I also saw a Facebook comment from an owner whose dealer, under warranty, reconnected their lock cable to restore the mechanical key's functionality. Corroborating this, I called a local dealer, who informed me the mechanical key should definitely operate the lock (car battery connected or not), so they booked me to inspect my car next week.

Did your mechanical key work from factory? If not, have you had your lock cable reconnected?

EDIT: Took my car to the dealer today, and they reconnected the lock cable. The securing pin for it indeed fell out. I can now lock and unlock the door using the mechanical key with and without the car battery plugged in.

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[Sporky McGeuschky]

Good call!
Thanks for the reminder. I'll go try this now...



... I just put both FOBs on the opposite side of the house from the car, and checked both my mechanical keys. The car battery is still connected. It's raining outside right now, so I'll check with battery disconnected another time.
My Lock and Unlock functions work with both mechanical "boomer" keys.

Sure is a bitch to get behind the door handle, though, almost as if we're "Not supposed to go back there!"...

Ain't modern tech great! Screw boomer tech, ammiright, guys?


P.S.
I'm sooo glad my FL5 has a fake - uhhh, I mean - an electronic hand brake instead of a pesky old real - uhh - mechanical boomer hand brake. Definitely no potential issues there.

 

[TypeRD]

Stuff like this…I dunno. It sometimes intensifies my fleeting thoughts of going back to a simpler, more analog, “boomer” lol, car. But then I’d probably miss the combination of things I love about the FL5.

 

[Sporky McGeuschky]

Stuff like this…I dunno. It sometimes intensifies my fleeting thoughts of going back to a simpler, more analog, “boomer” lol, car. But then I’d probably miss the combination of things I love about the FL5.

One of the reasons I'll probably never give up my 2015 2 Door Jeep JK Wrangler Sport is all the awesome Boomer Tech:

* NA 3.6L V6. Decent engine. Not powerful, but not too weak.
* 6 Spd Manual transmission, a.k.a. "manny tranny".
* Manual mechanical transfer case for 2WD Lo / Hi and 4WD Lo / Hi.
* Manual mechanical hand brake, a.k.a. "manny hanny".
* Manual mechanical roller windows, no electronics.
* Manual mechanical key only door and tailgate locks. NO electronic locks, NO FOB, and NO alarm.
* Manual convertible ragtop roof.
* Regular ass double din AM / FM / CD Stereo with 3.5mm analogue AUX stereo cable input on the front face of the unit.
* NO touch screen controls for anything, at all. Buttons and knobs, baby. Buttons and knobs.
* Bonus: It drinks regular ass 87 Octane Unleaded and pure Ethanol Free gas.

Whenever I get the Milennial Tech Blues, I just hop into the JK Wrangler and enjoy the comforts of some good ole Boomer Tech.

It's great.

Honda... are you listening... ???

Oh, who am I kidding.
Hell no, Honda ain't listening. Neither are any of the manufacturers.
Ever. Again.

 

[AZCWTypeR]

The lock under the FL5 handle may protect it from the elements.

My son's FK8 manual door lock was corroded stiff after 8 years, despite being a southern car. The FK8 lock entry is exposed, so water and dirt may have gotten inside. Unlike normal key locks, the FK8 lock wasn't used until it was too late.

 

[zumbooruk]

I started with a locked door and connected battery.

I inserted the physical key and turned it, all doors unlocked (same as pressing the unlock button from the inside), I then removed the physical key and I was able to pull on the door handle to open the door.

 

[Sporky McGeuschky]

The lock under the FL5 handle may protect it from the elements.

My son's FK8 manual door lock was corroded stiff after 8 years, despite being a southern car. The FK8 lock entry is exposed, so water and dirt may have gotten inside. Unlike normal key locks, the FK8 lock wasn't used until it was too late.

Holy shezbo, that's insane.

It must be from all the sea salt spray onto your oceanfront property in Arizona.

Really, though.
I have never heard of door key lock slots on any vehicle ever becoming corroded. Cars sit outside all the time, in the elements for decades, and this never happens...
Aren't key locks supposed to be stainless steel and / or chromoly coated (or something like that?) for long term weather resistance...?

What the heck happened to that FK8? Zero sense made.

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