Opening a Vertical System

A vertical system is identified as models with the manual lock button located at the top of the door panel most often near the passengers shoulder. Those with manual in hand see Method #1.

1. Place thick end of Flex-a-Wedge between window glass and weatherstripping.
*Insert small end of Z-Tool down into available opening with the Mini Box Hook leading the way as shown. Note: some vertical buttons are mounted far from window glass (such as large luxury cars). If so, make a slight bow in small end of Z-Tool’s shaft to better reach the vertical linkage location. This is a safe opening as you are probing at the top of the door cavity where few obstructions are present. Replaces flat bar type openings and the linkage clips never disconnect.
2. Push tool down into door cavity at an almost flat angle towards the exposed vertical lock linkage stopping short of and slightly deeper than window bottom.
3. Make 1/4 turn counter-clockwise (so handle of tool faces away from window).
Advance the tool further towards the vertical linkage until contact is made. Watch for the manual lock button to slightly move upon contact.If you do not contact linkage, then remove tool and make a slight bow in shaft to better reach the offset linkage position.
4. Make any slight adjustments needed for the hook to fall around the vertical lock linkage.With your left hand, firmly pinch the shaft of tool as near to the weatherstripping as possible.In one motion, twist the handle upwards (to bind onto linkage) as you leverage up the vertical lock button to its unlocked position.
Opening a Horizontal System

A horizontal lock system is identified as models with manual lock button located on the side of the inside door panel, usually located above the knee or arm rest. Those with manual in hand see Method #1.

Note: this method applies to thin (compact type) to medium width doors, representing a vast range of makes and models. A greater percentage of exposed horizontal linkages are contacted when the tool is inserted very close to the right side of the key cylinder. Therefore, observe it’s location before starting unless a different entry point is noted at the Vehicle Index Guide.Place thick end of Flex-a-Wedge between window glass and weatherstripping.*Insert large end of of Z-Tool near the right side of key cylinder as shown.
Push tool down into door cavity about 4-5 inches or at least deeper than window bottom.Make 1/4 turn counter-clockwise (so handle of tool faces away from window).
Push tool further down into door cavity, just right of key cylinder until contact is made with the horizontal lock linkage. (Watch for the manual lock button to slightly move upon contact).Make any slight adjustments needed for the Mini Box Hook to fall around the horizontal lock linkage.

With your left hand, firmly pinch the shaft of Z-Tool as near to the weatherstripping as possible.In one motion, twist handle clockwise (to bind hook onto linkage) as you leverage the linkage FORWARD to its unlocked position.Note: Some models require the lock linkage to move to REAR of vehicle to unlock. As always, refer to indexed vehicle guide for this type of notation before starting.
There are 52 opening methods illustrated, as these are only two examples show above, Basic Vertical and Basic Horizontal. The Vehicle Index Guide is not only an alphabetical listing of makes and models referring you to appropriate opening methods. It is also where you’ll pick up any helpful hints and/or variances from the standard instruction page assigned. When you see “but” after the method assignment page, expect to execute any number of helpful hints. See Couger ‘89 thru ‘95 for example of “but”. Other uses of “but” are to leverage a linkage to the rear of car rather than the standard statement seen at the step-by-step method telling you to leverage forward. At the index is where you will find recommendations to insert the small end of Z-Tool® rather than the standard statement to insert the large end. These little statements have worked very well over the years as this format allows the history of models to be published in one field manual rather than an expensive cumbersome library that will not fit in a tool case.
Mercury (Actual Index Example)
Bobcat
All models are vertical, refer to p.1.
  • Capri ‘79 thru ‘90
 IF vertical, refer to p. 1 OR p.17.
IF horizontal, refer to p. 6. Linkage is very deep within door cavity.
  • Capri ‘91 thru ‘96
 Refer to p. 12B, but lift under bell crank located 4″-5″ directly below vertical lock button location.

 

Colony Park
See Grand Marquis
  • Cougar ‘67 thru ’84
 Refer to p. 1. OR Refer to p. 2.
  • Cougar ‘85 thru ‘88
 IF vertical, refer to p. 3, but insert large end. OR Refer to p. 12B. IF horizontal, refer to p. 19.
  • Cougar ‘89 thru ‘95
 IF vertical, refer to p. 15, but use large end of Inverted Z-Tool. IF horizontal, refer to p. 19.
  • Cougar ‘96 thru ‘97
 Refer to p. 15, but use large end of Inverted Z-Tool.
  • Cougar ‘99 thru ‘00
 Use Frameless Window Tool p. 24A. Pull on the inside door handle.

 

Grand Marquis 2dr. (All Years)
 All models are vertical, refer to p. 1. If manual lock button does not move while probing, then refer to alternate method on p. 4.
  • Grand Marquis 4dr. ‘83 thru ‘91
 Refer to p. 1. You must slightly bow small end of Z-Tool shaft to better reach linkage at rear door. OR Refer to p. 15. First requires Bend Chart A located on inside back cover. Contact linkage high for good results. OR Use Serpent Tool p.29B, large end.
  • Grand Marquis4dr.‘92 thru ‘00
 Refer to p. 1. You must slightly bow small end of Z-Tool shaft to better reach linkage at rear door. OR Refer to p.12B.

 

Monarch ‘75 thru ‘80
 All models are vertical, refer to p. 1.If manual lock button does not move while probing, then refer to alternate method on p. 4.

 

Mountaineer 4dr.‘96 thru ‘00
 Refer to p. 12B. OR Refer to p. 15.

 

Mystique ‘95 thru ‘00
 See Ford, CONTOUR ‘95 thru ‘00 as Mystique is same vehicle.

 

Sable & Wgn. ‘86 thru ‘95
 Refer to p. 12B. OR Refer to p. 3. Slightly bow small end of Z-Tool shaft to better reach the linkage location.
  • Sable & Wgn. ‘96 thru ‘99
 Refer to p. 12B, but use large end of Inverted Z-Tool.
  • Sable & Wgn. ‘00 thru ‘00
 Refer to p. 14.

 

Topaz ‘84 thru ‘94
 Refer to p. 1. View the short section of linkage exposed directly under manual lock button. Insert small end of Z-Tool within a few inches of button to better gain access to exposed linkage. OR Refer to p. 12B. OR Refer to p. 17.

 

Tracer (All types) ‘88 thru ‘99
 Refer to p. 1. View the short section of linkage exposed directly under manual lock button. Insert small end of Z-Tool within a few inches of button to better gain access to exposed linkage. OR Refer to p.12B. OR p. 17.

 

Villager Van‘93 thru ‘00
 Use new style AutoBuster III p. 19.Hit power button at the arm rest. OR Refer to p. 26B. The Phillips screw used to mount latch to window is a very big head size. Many types of tools can be used to remove it. An Allen shaped screw driver with Phillips or flat head works well.

 

Although there are well over 1000 lockout situations, we only have to be concerned with one at a time. Remember to always look up every job even if you think you just opened one yesterday.

Thank you for attending this second seminar. The nice thing about an online seminar is you can visit and revisit at your own pace. It is always there the day you hire the newest employee. The third seminar covers getting the job through final payment. The fourth seminar covers the do’s and don’ts as well as the pitfalls to avoid while executing the opening procedures.

The Slide Lock Tools Team

 

Start Session 3