The dreaded Door Lock Orange Clip Removal Tip

[johnbenk]

Hi,

Just had a Ex Lotus Mechanic take off my door panel to fix a window problem and he showed me a 2 sec removal of the dreaded orange door lock clip.

All he did was take a large screwdriver and "prize up" the clip off the ROD
it came off complete and then all he had to do was turn over the lock button and prize out the orange clip from the reverse side with NO BREAKAGE I could not believe how simple this was as the clip is held on to the rod which is a threaded shaft YOU DO NOT NEED TO TRY AND GET THE CLIP BIT OUT FIRST WHICH HOLDS THE ORANGE CLIP.

[TheBard]

Won't using that approach risk cracking/chipping the frame you're prying against? My passenger door lock latch had several chips and dented pry marks from a previous owner's attempts using this method, so I go for the very tiny screwdriver and gently levering sideways...and a fist full of spare clips in my "Lotus Locker".
Ian

[johnbenk]

Hi

Thanks for the reply: When however you see an "expert" do this trick
you wonder what all the "fuss" is about as it was so easy using a broad
screwdriver underneath the lock button and pushing the whole clip off the rod. Must get a video clip of this "trick" a 2 second job to show how easy it is, but remember this mechanic worked on Lotus Elans for 15 years and has taken many door panels apart during his time at a LOTUS dealership
so it was really a "trick of the trade" he was showing me , but each to his own.

Cheers JBenk.

[TheBard]

Hi John,
Ah, a broad headed screwdriver... Now I'm almost tempted to go try that, but no reason to right now, so I'll try and resist If you can catch a video that'd be grand!
Ian

[jordizr1]

I replaced the speakers in the Elan today, I broke the clip in the passenger door and then when doing the driver's side I remembered this post and tried to do it as described, IT WORKS!!, I took the orange clip out in one piece.
Anyway I will order a couple of new ones because the color is faded out.

[frog]

Note that this orange clip has part number: SJ100B0010 at the SJ Sportscars site (http://www.sjsportscars.co.uk/partsandaccessories/parts.asp) at £0.49 each.

[DeeAitch]

Does anyone ever use these door lock buttons? Can't see any use for them unless I lose my key or someone wants to break in so I've disconnected the little devils No more orange clips for me (the removal trick does work tho' )

[Gary]

Use mine to lock the doors when the hood is down as can't set the alarm because of the sensor...

[DeeAitch]

Gary, you need to investigate a microwave sensor
'till then Sounds like as good a reason as any to disconnect them, anyone passing can simply reach in and open the doors, assuming they can't be bothered to simply jump in