What Can I Do to Unlock the Door of a 1998 Ford F150?
It is never the right time to lock your keys in a car or truck, but it usually happens at the worst possible time. Before you break a window...
It is never the right time to lock your keys in a car or truck, but it usually happens at the worst possible time. Before you break a window to gain entry or call for an expensive tow, you may be able to unlock your 1998 Ford F150, or other vehicle, using simple methods and simple or improvised tools.
Rear Sliding Window
On many trucks, including the 1998 Ford F150, you can open the rear cab sliding window, if equipped, with ease. The center latch is fixed to a hinge pin on one side and positions over a catch on the opposite side. After this, it is pushed against the window on the pin-hinge side to latch tight. A small, thin piece of metal, such as a thin pocket knife blade, can sometimes be inserted where the two windows meet and used to push the latch open. By using careful motions, you can then work the clip off the stationary retainer on one side of the window, and slide the windows apart, gaining access to the interior.
Rocker Picks
Keyed doors may be opened with the correct rocker pick. Locksmiths usually carry sets of these tools, but some professional technicians have them as well. Select one of the picks, and insert one end in the door lock, using a gentle rocking motion to align the tumblers. Keep slight tension on the lock, alternating between clockwise and counter-clockwise, while continuing to rock the pick up and down. If you do not have success within a few moments, move on to the other side of the pick, and then another pick until you successfully unlock the door.
Rod Tool
Rod tools are common with late model vehicles equipped with side air bags, due to the potential for injury and damage associated with accidental detonation of the air bag modules by inserting tools inside of the door cavity. A rod tool is inserted between the door and the body of the vehicle after the door has been wedged open slightly with either plastic wedges or a specially made air bag that inflates like a blood pressure cuff. When the gap is just large enough to work the rod tool through, insert the tool and move it toward either the door handle, to pull it and open the door, or the power door lock button, to push it and unlock the doors. You may also be able to grab the window crank using the tool and roll the window down far enough to reach in and unlock the vehicle. If you do not have the professional tool, improvise using a coat hanger and a non-marring object to hold the door open.
Purchase a New Key
If you are the registered owner of the vehicle, you can purchase a new key from a Ford dealership by providing it with a copy of the vehicle identification number and proof of ownership. Dealership personnel will be able to create a new key using information that Ford retains from when your vehicle was built.
Preventing Damage
Do not wedge the door open any farther than necessary to insert the rod tool into the vehicle. If you do bend the top of the door out, you can gently bend it back in once the door is open. Avoid attempting to unlock the door by using tools that go inside the door between the door and window. The lock rods are heavily shielded on many vehicles, making unlocking the vehicle this way difficult. You may also cause damage from disconnecting the door lock or latch rods, which may make opening the vehicle even more difficult.
