Door lock

[elaverick]

Hi all,
My drivers side door lock fails to open from the outside. Passenger side works fine, and I can pop the button to open the drivers door, but can't turn it with the key. Drivers side will lock with the key but just not open. Additionally I've found the cars central locking triggering occasionally whilst driving. The problem is intermittent (both the lack of opening and the central locking issue), and I'd put the central locking down to an electrical issue (bad ground or similar), but with the failure to unlock (but still locking), I'm not wondering if the solenoid is shot.

Any thoughts, part numbers or steps to resolve greatly welcomed.

Thanks,
Edward

[Simon_P]

I had a similar issue with the blue car the CDL is not working so It relies on the key.

Preparing myself for taking the doors to pieces I thought I would just try oiling them with WD40 all locks now work perfectly with the key, so the door disassembly can wait

[Brit-Car-Nut]

It is possible the latch lever was reassembled on the outside of the forked lever, so only works in one direction (locking).

You should be able to look thru the door glass opening and see ig the pieces are assembled correctly of if one of the lock clips has failed.

[joantucker]

Hey, man! This situation is very familiar to me, but in my case, was it the back door lock. I am not a master in all these things, regardless of whether I am a man, but I tell you that if you plan to solve the problem on your own, I don't know if you will succeed. As I said, I'm not a master, but my friends are pretty good at this. They followed a few steps, but it was unsuccessful. They told me to turn to a company of specialists who will help me. They also told me to ask for the help of click here if you really need a locksmith in Texas who specialises in repairing Lotus Elan rear door locks because I will be satisfied. Indeed, I did. They quickly and qualitatively repaired my door look. I recommend you to turn to some specialists, because life will become more accessible, lol.

[GeoffSmith]

Hey, man! This situation is very familiar to me, but in my case, was it the back door lock…

The back door? Of an Elan? DOH!
Spammers usually get nuked but the really stupid ones have their posts left for posterity.

[roy666]

Thought I would jump on this trail...mindful that it seems I have the same problem. Central locking working fine, but the driver’s side door lock bezel is jammed and will not budge. I've had the door card off, copious amounts of penetration fluid, WD 40..etc; just does not move. All the linkages are free and do move as they should. Does the bezel arm with the linkage on rotate so that the arm lifts upwards and pulls the link strut upwards…or the other way (downwards)? Its not a major issue because the central locking is fine and the passenger side lock works fine. Any thoughts..ta M

[tomatcbl]

Roy - I had the same problem with my driver's door in my federal elan. In my case it was a broken actuator - suspect yours is the same. It can be a tedious process getting the door apart, particularly if you want to protect the door card, and carpet - but it is doable. I have been lucky in that I have never broken one of the orange clips that secure the lock button in place. Careful use of a small jeweller's screw driver was the key in my case. Parts are still available.

The link to the posts that documented my problems is here


Tom

[roy666]

Thanks Tom... the actuator, I'm assuming, is the main locking mechanism..right? If the actuator is broken..doesn't that mean the the central locking and door handle will not open the door.... its confusing, but cheers for the input.. Mike

[tomatcbl]

Roy,

At the time my central locking wasn't working, so I can't comment on that aspect - but the inside door level would open the door, it was just that the locking button on the top wouldn't budge. I followed the guidance that BCN posted in response to my original post. With the door panels off, and the actuator (solenoid) mechanism disconnected, the connecting rods connecting the locks all moved. It was only when the actuator was powered that the locks wouldn't budge. Hope this helps

[Tuga2112]

Thanks Tom... the actuator, I'm assuming, is the main locking mechanism..right? If the actuator is broken..doesn't that mean the the central locking and door handle will not open the door.... its confusing, but cheers for the input.. Mike

no.

both key and handle are 100% mechanically operated.

the actuator would only affect your central locking functionality.

if things dont work both by hand and by central locking your most liekly looking at one of the rods inside the door being disconnected somewhere... or even broken... (i would be surprised to find one broken tbh)

[roy666]

Thanks Tom..all the connecting rods are connected ok..nothing loose

Tuga - with all the rods connected, central locking working and the outside door handle to open the car working, ..could it be that the actual lock bezel is jammed? The horizontal (90' angle) arm attached to it (that then connects onto a vertical connecting rod) is the thing that I can't move. I've even had a pair of small mole grips on the bezel to see if I can shift it, but nothing budges, allbeit I've been cautious because I dont want to break anything!

[Tuga2112]

Thanks Tom..all the connecting rods are connected ok..nothing loose

Tuga - with all the rods connected, central locking working and the outside door handle to open the car working, ..could it be that the actual lock bezel is jammed? The horizontal (90' angle) arm attached to it (that then connects onto a vertical connecting rod) is the thing that I can't move. I've even had a pair of small mole grips on the bezel to see if I can shift it, but nothing budges, allbeit I've been cautious because I dont want to break anything!

i can see the plastic jamming very easily when incorrectly installed. but to install it incorrectly you need to be VERY strong and pretty oblivious.
i think more likely would be the scenario of installing the red clip at the incorrect high ?

from recolection. there isnt much in the the door. its mostly empty space. but its worth trying to operate the window to see if something is caught in there maybe ?

[RonR]

Just a thought - You could be the victim of someone squirting superglue in the keyhole?

[johnj]

I have the same problem. I watched an episode of car sos and the car arrived without a key. It was a while ago so a bit hazy on details but I think they took the lock out pressed two tabs on the side of the lock and the barrel came out lots of springs and levers moving. From the position of the levers they worked out what the key looked like. My question is does our key barrel come out and if so could it be made good from the key.

[Tuga2112]

I think you are way too close to open the discussion to a point where it will compromise the security of our cars.

Im not going to asnwer that because i honestly dont know, but i would strongly suggest if anyone knows. to not disclose that infomation pubicly

[johnj]

Hi

Sorry if I have over stepped the mark. I thought to get the lock out you would need to have the door open to and the door card out, but sorry. If anyone knows the answer about the key please pm me. Thanks

[dapinky]

To be honest, the talk about the lock is pretty immaterial in relation to car security........ the locks are not deadlocks, so leaning over the door and lifting the button will do the job! Even with the hood up, it is easy enough to wiggle something through the gaps, or even use a blade to slash the roof.

After that, it is down to the alarm/immobiliser system to prevent the car from being nicked...... pretty much nothing will ever prevent a determined thief or a desperate addict who sees a couple of quid in the centre tray.

I take comfort from the fact that the cars are not worth enough to make shipping them abroad worthwhile, if mine were to be offered for sale *someone* would notice it, so it then comes down to the sum of the parts....... and if a whole car comes up as 'breaking' I think it would get noticed (again).

So, that leaves the 'joyriders' to think about - and the alarm/immobiliser will stop them..... a plastic car isn't ideal for a ram-raid, and a 2-seater isn't great as a getaway car from a robbery.