Seized horizontal front door lock?

[tomm]

My driver's side door lock has been seized in a horizontal position since I've had the car - I've always used the passenger side lock to open the car!

Reading up on how to remove the door cards (now done) to allow me to remove the lock, I found a mention of a dead-lock function, and the post suggested it leaves the lock in a horizontal position?


Before I dismantle things further, could this be something to do with what's gone wrong with the lock? Is this a common problem, with an easy fix?


Thanks

[Gortour]

Key should exit lock on vertical (up/down) position if unlocked or locked without deadlocks - as passenger door lock.

It should exit horizontally (left/right) if the doors are deadlocked, at which point the key can't be used on the passenger door lock. The boot can be opened seperately, but won't work the central locking.

If the lock is jammed at horizontal and the passenger door lock works, this suggests the lock has been removed and refitted incorrectly at some time.

[hipflyguy]

On a similar note...

My central locking works fine, but I can only lock all doors from the Boot, or passenger side, Drivers lock doesn't move the locking pin down enough to lock it... Unlocking is fine tho...

Any chance I could just swap the passenger lock for the drivers and hey presto job fixed..?

Is this a regular prob..? (Door card is slightly warped and could be causing the prob) but i've been in and lubed up the mech... Ooer..

[Brianmoooore]

The most probable cause for your problem is that the driver's lock barrel has been changed at some time, and you don't have the key.
Have you contacted the previous owner?
The deadlock function is operated by an electrical microswitch mounted on the bracket that comes off as well when you remove the large 'C' clip that holds the lock barrel assembly in place. In the deadlock position the lever on the switch should be pressed in, but slight wear in the mechanism usually means that a slight tweak of the switch lever is required to restore reliable operation.
Unless the microswitch has been 'got at', then a slight jolt could engage the deadlocks and prevent you getting into or out of your car!

[Brianmoooore]

Any chance I could just swap the passenger lock for the drivers and hey presto job fixed..? ..

Passenger lock is different, so won't swap.
You can try adjusting the lock motor on the driver's door in its slotted mounting holes, but the basic cause is the alloy 'L' shaped piece on the back of the lock barrel is worn where it operates the steel fork that projects from the latch mechanism and engages it.
If the steel fork is bent slightly while the lock barrel is off, then it will contact an unworn part of the alloy arm, and give another fifeteen years of service.

[hipflyguy]

Thanks B-Moore... Will try that....

Sorry Tomm for hijacking your post...

[tomm]

If the lock is jammed at horizontal and the passenger door lock works

This is precisely the case. So I guess I'll try removing the lock, and have a look at it.

The most probable cause for your problem is that the driver's lock barrel has been changed at some time, and you don't have the key.
Have you contacted the previous owner?

No, I haven't, and I'm not sure I can. I just accepted it as a quirk of the car, that I'd investigate when i could This wouldn't necessarily explain the horizontal position, though, would it?

If I get the lock out, is there any way of examining it to check if it matches the key (and the passenger's side lock) or not?



PS Brian - you never know, we may be distant relatives - my 'M' stands for Moore...

[Brianmoooore]

This wouldn't necessarily explain the horizontal position, though, would it?

Would if the correct key was used to put it horizontal and then withdrawn.

[Gortour]

This wouldn't necessarily explain the horizontal position, though, would it?

Would if the correct key was used to put it horizontal and then withdrawn.

Wouldn't the car be deadlocked then though? Unless as you suggest, Brian, the microswitch has been knackered too...