Hello!
I'm a new owner of a brilliant 1991 E30. I have a few small problems that I need to address and the first being that the drivers door doesn't seem to lock. When I turn the key the lock barrel just spins instead of locking the door. I can lock the passenger side door absolutely fine and the boot is a little tricky to lock but central locking takes care of that with the passenger door locking.
Any advice on the route to fixing this would be great! I understand I may need a new lock barrel for that door?
Thank you!
Driver side door lock barrel turning
Moderator: martauto
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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 49359
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
There's an 'over centre' swivelling bit on the back end of the lock barrel (part of the dead locking system) that is probably seized, worn or broken.
Take off the door card, peel back the membrane, and flip off the large C clip that holds the lock barrel in place with a screwdriver, take it out, and see what's going on.
Welcome to the zone, and post up some pics.
Take off the door card, peel back the membrane, and flip off the large C clip that holds the lock barrel in place with a screwdriver, take it out, and see what's going on.
Welcome to the zone, and post up some pics.
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lewisnewson
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 2
- Joined: Wed Aug 05, 2020 9:14 am
Hi Brian,Brianmoooore wrote: ↑Wed Aug 05, 2020 11:26 amThere's an 'over centre' swivelling bit on the back end of the lock barrel (part of the dead locking system) that is probably seized, worn or broken.
Take off the door card, peel back the membrane, and flip off the large C clip that holds the lock barrel in place with a screwdriver, take it out, and see what's going on.
Welcome to the zone, and post up some pics.
Thanks for the info! I'll take a look and see what the state of the barrel looks like when I take it out.
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BenHar
- E30 Zone Addict

- Posts: 3081
- Joined: Sun Jul 11, 2010 11:00 pm
- Location: Reigate, Surrey
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Moz
- E30 Zone Regular

- Posts: 494
- Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2007 11:00 pm
- Location: Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
Recently had to fix the drivers door lock on mine and access is the biggest issue! That link BenHar put was the same one I followed. On my 4 door there are only 2 small holes where the lock is so you have to reach in from the bigger hole to refit. I had to remove the glass and regulator as my fat arm couldn't fit!
Thanks
Thanks
Everytime you idiot proof something, the world will just give you a bigger idiot.
