E30 Zone

Hey guys, Ive already searched quite a few central locking threads but cant really seem to find what im after. Ive been having problems with my central locking where the key was very stiff to turn and only the drivers door would lock i.e no central locking. Got round to taking a look at it this evening and found that there is a plate with a round hole and a microswitch attached just hanging loose inside my door below the lock, when I pressed the microswitch with my hand the car locked fine. Has anyone got a pic of where this plate should go in relation to the lock barrel? All help appreciated

should sit on the edge of the lock bracket is held by a small clip. hard to explain without showing you in person

Although the microswitch will set the locks, that's not it's prime purpose, or what it's supposed to do. It is the deadlock microswitch, and the plate should be held close to the inside of the outer door skin by the large 'C' clip that holds the lock barrel in place.
Remove the 'C' clip, take the barrel out and make sure that the L shaped alloy piece swivels easily, and the over centre spring is present and working, holding the L piece in one position or the other.
The plate with the microswitch will only fit over the barrel in one position, and the L shaped piece should push in, and keep pushed in, the microswitch when the key is turned to the deadlock position. This can be set up and checked with the plate and barrel out of the car.
The 'normal' locking and unlocking of the car is performed by a switch in the lock motor, which is operated by the L shaped piece, via the linkage, when the key is turned to the 45 degree position the other way from the deadlock position.

Seems I may have a more serious central locking problem than I first imagined, although, if I refit the deadlock microswitch surely I can just deadlock the car every time to lock both doors and the boot via the central locking?

And to unlock it?? Nothing complicated in the above - get stuck in!

Thanks!The car is unlocking perfectly, I'll get stuck in tomorrow night and let you know how I fair out.

marty325 wrote:Thanks!The car is unlocking perfectly

It won't when the deadlocks are working properly!

Brianmoooore wrote:

marty325 wrote:Thanks!The car is unlocking perfectly

It won't when the deadlocks are working properly!

I think what Brian means is that the deadlock will only set/release from the drivers door...so once locked,you will only be able to unlock at the drivers door,the car will remain locked if you attempt to unlock either the boot or the pax door.
Only an issue if you return to the car and cannot get to the drivers door.....