Door lock sticking

[Ab150]

Hi all

Good morning. Odd problem with my car. Driver’s door lock - key will turn to lock the car (clockwise) but will not turn to unlock car. Vacuum locks, courtesy feature all work fine from all locks - just this one thing.

Thanks

Andrew

 

[gsxr]

Do you mean the key will not turn in the lock, as in the lock cylinder is seized/jammed in that direction? If so, does the same key work normally in the passenger side lock? And is the key an OE steel key, or a brass copy?

 

[Ab150]

Do you mean the key will not turn in the lock, as in the lock cylinder is seized/jammed in that direction? If so, does the same key work normally in the passenger side lock? And is the key an OE steel key, or a brass copy?

Thanks, seems that the cylinder is jammed in one direction. It is the original (barely worn) key, and the key works in the other locks just fine. I am assuming I need a new lock cylinder but am making sure there is nothing else that could jam in the door. Thanks for any thoughts.

Andrew

 

[TerryA]

Have you tried any Lock lubricant?

 

[Ab150]

Have you tried any Lock lubricant?

Thanks - any recommendations?

 

[gsxr]

https://www.500eboard.co/forums/ind...-best-lubricant-for-124-lock-cylinders.12008/

 

[Ab150]

Ok all, now I have created more of a mess. I changed out the door locks left and right, as the left cylinder was binding. Now the alarm goes off whenever I open a door or try to start the car. If I open a door and then reconnect the battery, when I turn the ignition the alarm starts. I have obviously messed up something. I did reconnect the wiring from the lock as best I could.

This is the factory alarm, FYI.

Thank you for any suggestions. I cannot move the car currently.

Andrew

 

[gsxr]

The alarm system is connected to the switches on the lock cylinders. These are different left vs right, and may be wired opposite...? You can swap the switches, which should fix the problem. Bad news is, you'll need to take everything apart again to do this.

 

[Ab150]

Thank you, I did not see a way to take apart the wire that runs into the cylinder itself. Will pull it out and look again. If I just disconnect the wire at the black plug, I assume I can at least drive the car. Thanks again.

Andrew

 

[gsxr]

The lock switch is the plastic thingy that the wire goes into, it clips onto the lock assembly. Photo attached.

You can completely bypass the factory alarm by unplugging the box in the passenger footwell, 93-up models will need a jumper wire added to the starter-disable relay behind the instrument cluster.

 

[Melville]

Apologies for hi-jacking this thread, but this reminded me of a door lock / alarm situation I faced. My mechanic gave me an M103 300E as a loaner. Let's just say, it was not in showroom condition (the engine ran well though!). When I got into the car to go back to the shop, the alarm sounded. And nothing would turn it off. I called the shop and right when I said "alarm", they gave me the well-rehearsed instructions:
1. get out of the car.
2. lock it from the driver's side.
3. walk to the passenger's side.
4. unlock the car.
5. walk to the driver's side.
6. enter and drive, alarm free.

They might have told me about this when they gave me the car...

 

[Ab150]

Ok thanks, this is all very helpful. I did not realize that the switch could come off so easily, will start by switching left and right. It is definitely vexing - the alarm first went off when I was pulling apart the left side door lock - first time in 24 years I had heard the alarm go off.

Andrew

 

[Ab150]

Hi all

Thanks again for all of your help. The problem was the alarm switch on one of the lock cylinders. I must have damaged it when I pulled the lock out. I disconnected it for now and all is well. Thanks again.

Andrew