Door Issues

[Old Skool]

I recently had a strange issue come up on my 08 Vantage (N400) whereby if I park up and remove the key from the ignition, I can release stage 1 of the two-stage door lock but no more. In other words I cannot open the driver door. However I have found that if I keep the key in the ignition then the door will open after two pulls as per usual (I have auto-lock upon drive off enabled)

Has this happened to anyone else. Reflash or replace the door modules I imagine....?

[BingoBob]

Odd.

If the door is already locked then maybe removing the key causes the car to deadlock the door.

I'll go and try it on mine. Hold on.

[BingoBob]

Just tried it in mine and I can always open the door.

One thing I noticed, though. On the first pull the central unlocks both doors. The 2nd pull then opens the door.

If there is a contacter that isn't working inside your door lock then possibly it doesn't know you are trying to open the door and won't unlock.

Can you find out if the central locking operates on the first pull?

[Old Skool]

Thank you that's very kind.

Yeah I was always able to do it previously so don't think it deadlocks. I can hear the locking mechanism when I pull the first time so do not think it is that albeit I suppose there is a possibility that I am just hearing the mechanism for the passenger door. Although having said that I suppose that doesn't explain why it opens when the key is in the ignition given that the unlocking sound I hear appears to be the same whether the key is in the ignition or not.

So you may well be right. Perhaps the driver door doesn't register me trying to open it although only when the car is off for some strange reason

[BingoBob]

There is probably some interaction with the safety mechanisms. When the ignition is on I am pretty sure there will be something preventing the car from deadlocking so that you can get out in the event of an accident. When the ignition is off, however, then possibly this is bypassed allowing the car to lock.

Perhaps a module reset wouldn't be a bad idea. I am sure I have read on here somewhere (possibly in the FAQ) that there is a way of doing this.

[KarlFranz]

There is an AM service bulletin for door lock issues. AM had so many problems with the modules that they wound up changing suppliers. They even have a procedure for fitting the newer modules on older cars. Both mine had to be replaced under warranty.

[wezzer-45's]

I suspect the cable from the inner handle to the latch is partially siezed and that when pulling the inner handle, it feels rough or stiff.

Remove the inner door handle and lubricate the cable using WD40. Spray slowly into the cable and work it in. This usually works.

[shunt]

Mine did exactly this after I'd had the door card off to fix a rattle. I simply deactivated the auto locking and the problem no longer exists.