Door Locks

Door Locks

Author
Discussion

Nessy

Original Poster:

26 posts

268 months

Monday 24th December 2001
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I have recently aquired my first Chimaera. On 2 occassions now the passenger door catch has failed to operate when the door is closed. I have switched on and off a couple of times and the second time I fiddled with the latch. The catch eventually reverted and operated correctly. Anyone any idea as to cause/remedy?

Dave Big

21 posts

270 months

Monday 24th December 2001
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Check that the mechanism in the door isn't loose.

Marshy

2,748 posts

283 months

Tuesday 25th December 2001
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If your car has the electric latch and locks, and it fails to open when you push the button under the wing mirror, there could be a couple of causes.

1. The button under the wing mirror has succumbed to moisture, and is dead. Nailed to the perch, etc.

2. The connector that connects the wiring loom to the solonoid that operates the latch is dodgy - I found that on mine I had to squeeze the contacts in the female half of the connector block so that they made a better connection with their male counterparts.

3. The mechanism may need lubricating - this was the case with my locking solonoid and attached gubbins. The same points apply re: the connector block here too.

All this gubbins can be found by tipping the relevant seat forward and fishing behind the carpeted flap that can be lifted up on the side of the car behind the seat back. If it's the first time this bit of trim has been had apart, it's quite hard to put it back as neatly as it first was.

Merry Christmas. Mine is, so far

Nessy

Original Poster:

26 posts

268 months

Tuesday 25th December 2001
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Thanks for that, I don't think that I phrased my question too well though on re reading it. My problem occurs when the door is being closed after the passenger leaves the car and the door catch appears to be stuck open so that the door slams but is not held. Could be though similar causes to those that you explain?

rmaurer

251 posts

269 months

Thursday 27th December 2001
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Had exactly the same myself. I've got a manual door (non-solenoid) and found the cable (from the internal door knob) was getting harder to pull back to its closed position. Basically, the return spring in the door lock mechanism wasn't strong enough to pull the cable back, preventing the door latch from returning to its closed position.

I found a tough elastic band and used this to beef up the spring in the mechanism and haven't had a problem since...

Marshy

2,748 posts

283 months

Thursday 27th December 2001
quotequote all
Aha! Now I understand. I've had that too... (what is it with me and doors?). Can't remember what the fix for mine was, but you might also suspect the lubrication of the lock mechanism itself...? Perhaps it's moving, but not freely.

Paul V

4,489 posts

276 months

Thursday 27th December 2001
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could try some WD-40 then open and shut a few times.

hexhamhc

456 posts

282 months

Friday 28th December 2001
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Make sure the internal door knob (the one in the centre of the car) is returning to the centre straight ahead position. If it sticks slightly when you turn it to open the door it effectively holds the latch open, a bit of lubrication and adjustment should sort it.

Nessy

Original Poster:

26 posts

268 months

Tuesday 1st January 2002
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Thanks all for your suggestions, I am trying them all in succession!