Exterior door release faulty, interior release works

[warsol]

Hi guys, I recently bought a 1999 T reg 4.0 Chimaera. Have just discovered that whilst I can open my passenger side door perfectly fine using the interior door release knob, however, when I try to open the door using the exterior door release button under the wing mirror it doesn't pop the door open?

I can hear a mechanical noise (although this is a slightly quieter noise than the drivers door which is working perfectly) and the door does release slightly but it does not fully pop out and release?

I tried WD40 in the door lock itself but I'm not sure if its the actual lock's problem as otherwise surely it wouldn't open from the inside either?

Any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated.

Many thanks

[Harrytsg]

The interior knob operates the door opening via cable, the button under the door mirror operates a solenoid accessed through the panel behind the lock/ by the back of the seat.
It could be the door button, wiring or solenoid, solenoids can be bought from maplins ( quick search on here should tell you which one).

[Trevor450]

You need a standard two wire solenoid for the door opener. It is dead easy to change.

[warsol]

Thanks guys for your prompt response. Do you know if there is a step by step guide out there so I can replace the solenoid myself?

Thanks

[cjj799]

warsol said:

Thanks guys for your prompt response. Do you know if there is a step by step guide out there so I can replace the solenoid myself?

Thanks

Before you replace anything check the switch in the sill. It is not just for the interior light it also tells the door locking module when the doors are open.
I had a similar problem when I bought mine and cleaning up the contacts on these switches solved it.

[warsol]

Thanks Cjj799, I'll try that first. I'm a complete amateur so please bear with me, but how do I find / get to the switch?

Many thanks

[VictorMeldrew]

Behind the seat is a flap, the whole top section below the seatbelt mount. Carefully pull the carpet from under the rubber seal and open the flap, it's velcroed. Inside you will find the solenoid, which is actuated by a piece of bent coathanger. Well not quite, but not far off. It can bend too far and stop actuating the solenoid, or it can also come unhooked from the solenoid completely. At the very least you can test that the solenoid works by actuating it manually. I have had this in the past when the "rod" bent too far and I couldn't open the door from outside. 5 minute fix if that's the problem.

[Julesprivate]

warsol said:

Thanks Cjj799, I'll try that first. I'm a complete amateur so please bear with me, but how do I find / get to the switch?

Many thanks

Open the door, look down LOL

The door switches (used for the interior light amongst other things) are attached to the sill in the "shut" area of the door frame..

[cjj799]

warsol said:

Thanks Cjj799, I'll try that first. I'm a complete amateur so please bear with me, but how do I find / get to the switch?

Many thanks

They are in the sill just below the bottom of the door There is one Philips head screw holding the switch in the sill. Remove this and carefully jiggle the switch out so that the wire dosent pull off and fall into the sill as it is a bugger to find.

Remove the wires yourself and tape them so they dont fall in. You can clean up the contacts with fine sandpaper and replace. You can get replacements from any of the usual suppliers.

If its not these, then you will have to look at the solenoids as suggested earlier.

[warsol]

Thank you to everyone for your help, problem now solved. It was the switch in the door sill.

Many thanks