Hey, just recently bought an S2000, I've never owned one before and am new to the forum, but thought it would be the best place to ask for advice.

I have 2 master keys for the car, both appear to be genuine Honda ones.

No keyfob or anything for central locking, the guy I bought the car off didn't have them either.

Apparently someone had tried breaking into the drivers side door before via the key barrel, there's a little evidence of paint chips and the door handle doesn't sit quite right.

First time locking the car after I bought it, couldn't get it to unlock using both keys, on both driver and passenger sides, and consequently after finally getting it unlocked I have avoided locking it again since, which is less than ideal.

With the key in the passenger side door, it would rotate clockwise and anti-clockwise as normal, but wouldn't feel like it's actually unlocking or locking anything whatsoever.

With the key in the drivers side door, it would barely move in either direction as it was too stiff.. I didn't want to force it too much and break the key in the barrel.

Gave roadside assistance a call and he pushed down on something, one of the rods maybe, inside the door and for some reason we were able to open the passenger side door after that? No idea how or why it worked.



So now I'm wondering how I'll be able to use my S2000 as a daily driver without locking it at all (in fear it'll get stuck again, or stolen, broken into.)
From what I've briefly read on the forum already, I suspect maybe I might need a new actuator or something? Does this sound right?

 

I think you can buy new fobs and program them for your car, so you can remotely unlock the doors. You can buy them online or just drop by a Honda dealer. What do the keys do in the trunk and the glove compartment?

 

It's a convertible. Locking an S2000 is a matter of peace of mind for the owner and inconvenience to the casual thief. A more serious thief will just slice your top, reach in and unlock it or just use a wire coat hanger.
It's likely the rod that goes from the key lock to the handle is bent or detached from the attempted break-in. The one lock that is hard to turn likely had a sharp object rammed into it (barber scissors is a popular instrument for punk thieves). That one may need to be replaced. You can remove the inner door panels and examine the mechanism to see what needs to be bent back or re-attached. Or get a new remote, program it and never use a key again (unless your battery dies). Or carry a coat hanger and get real good at using it like a thief would.

BTW, how do you lock it?

 

you need to fix the lock cylinder for the key to work. You have no choice if you want to lock the car. Even with remotes, you need the thing to unlock with the key. What are you going to do if the car battery goes dead? you remote will not unlock it.

 

The trunk will still open using the key as normal, but only one of the two keys I've got will actually fit properly into the barrel. Haven't tried locking the glove compartment inside yet though.

I originally got it to lock by pressing on the lock tab inside the car near the door handle (on the drivers side) whilst lifting the door handle (outside) up and down to try and encourage it to free up since even the locking tab was really stiff.

Passenger side locked from the inside no problem at all.

 

Locking tab on driver side isn't supposed to close by hand

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