central locking problem

[ernbuild]

I have a intermittant central locking problem with my r/h door. some times it doesnt unlock and i have to get in from the otherside and pull like hell on the lock button to get it to open. being r/h drive this is not cool at all. i figure its a pull the door skin off job , is there any hidden little things that i should know about please let me know, regards ernie.

 

[Ludigdrums]

I would make sure that you get all the screws out of the door panel before you start yanking. There are a few that are pretty hidden. Like there is one just at the top of the map pocket. The screw heads get hidden in the carpet. You will need an allen key to remove the window adjuster, unless you have power side view mirrors.

I not sure if you mean "lock button" the actual manual knob or the electric switch. If it's the electric switch, it's probably a bad ground, coroded electrical connectors, or a bad switch.

Sometimes moisture gets into the doors and is not too good for the electrical "things" in there. There should be some kind of vapor barrier (ie: brown paper or plastic) sealing off the inside of the door from the door panel. If yours is not there or in tack enough to reuse, get some relatively thick (4-6 mil) tarp at a home depot or such, and make your own.

I'm sure I've missed a few things that others will chime in about. Good luck!

- Jeremy

 

[wishuwerehere82]

I have the same problem with mine, except it's on the left side. If the right side goes, I won't be able to get in anymore.

 

[jclit]

If it’s the lock sticking, you can lubricate it without pulling the door panel. With a can of spray lube and one of those little plastic tubes you can spray down from the window channel (with the window open). Work it a few times then spray it again. This has worked for me and usually lasts a few years before I need to do it again.

Jim

 

[Chris Kennedy]

I had the same problem with my '81 for years, and also had the problem that after a heavy rain it could be very difficult to lock/unlock the doors---I worried I might break the key! What I would STRONGLY recommend you do is simply disconnect the electric motor which triggers the locking mechanism from the lock mechanism/linkage. These electric locks are a mess (badly designed as an afterthought, I suspect), and I finally simply took off the door panel (which is simple as its held on by screws, not wire-type "locks" which never go back correctly) and disconnected the little rod which goes between the electric lock "trigger" mechanism and the lock button/linkage. This can be done by simply prying the rod from the nylon connector with a screwdriver---everything is easily reachable and takes less than 30 seconds. I got a VERY smoothly functioning normal lock action with minimal pressure needed as a result, and these cars are so narrow you can easily reach across and lock/unlock the other door. This will be a major improvement if you do it, and you can always reconnect everything if you want to---but you won't want to.


--Chris Kennedy
Houston, Texas